Melendez’s Game-Ending PK Save Secures Towson’s First CAA Women’s Soccer Title

11/5/2023 3:43:16 PM

Miles McQuiggan

TOWSON, Md. (Nov. 5, 2023) – Riley Melendez stopped a penalty kick at the game’s final horn to preserve Towson’s first CAA Women’s Soccer Championship with a 2-1 victory over Monmouth Sunday afternoon at Tiger Field.

Monmouth struck for the game’s first goal in the 16^th minute, as Julia Evernham – fresh into the game for the Hawks – sent a ball ahead to Chloe Ferreira, who headed it into the back of the goal on the run. Allie Jones was also credited with an assist on the tally.

Towson (15-2-2) evened the score in the 24^th minute. Phoebe Canoles found Nia Christopher down the right side and Christopher put a ball on goal against a charging Monmouth (11-6-2) keeper that trickled just over the line to tie the contest.

After a handful of stellar stops by both Monmouth’s Cassie Coster and Towson’s Riley Melendez, Towson took the lead for good in the 81^st minute. Jasmine Hamid made a charge down the left side and crossed a ball in front to Canoles, who redirected it past Coster for the game-winning goal.

The game’s crescendo came in its final second, as Monmouth’s Liza Suydam had an opportunity on a penalty kick in a matchup of the CAA’s Rookie of the Year vs. its Goalkeeper of the Year. Melendez lunged to her right and secured the ball to seal the victory.

Melendez was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player and was joined on the All-Tournament Team by Towson’s Canoles, Christopher, and Maja Hansson. A full All-Tournament Team is below.

The game was played in front of a program-record crowd of 1,022 on an unseasonably warm November day in Maryland.

Towson will learn its destination for its first NCAA Tournament when the NCAA Women’s Soccer Selection Show is streamed Monday at 4 p.m. on NCAA.com.

CAA Women’s Soccer Championship
All-Tournament Team

Riley Melendez, Towson (Most Outstanding Player)
Phoebe Canoles, Towson
Nia Christopher, Towson
Maja Hansson, Towson
Lauren Bruno, Monmouth
Liza Suydam, Monmouth
Marisa Tava, Monmouth
Millie Davies, Hofstra
Dagny Run Petursdottir, Hofstra
Ginny Delacruz, William & Mary
Nicole Sellers, William & Mary

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