 Nia Christopher and her Towson Women's Soccer teammates used a late second-half goal and big penalty kick save with time winding down to knock off No. 3 Monmouth 2 – 1 to win the CAA Championship and advance to the NCAA Tournament.
A scramble in the box in the ninth minute found the ball at the feet of Christopher. Christopher got a shot off but it was stopped.
Monmouth would strike first in the 16th minute getting a goal to take a 1-0 lead, Jasmine Hamid had a good look in the 21st minute with a shot from the top of the box that just went wide.
Christopher would tie it up in the 24th minute. Phoebe Canoles sent a through ball into Christopher who beat the goalkeeper to tie it 1 - 1.
Towson would have opportunities late, leading Monmouth 7-6 in shots in the first half, but the two teams entered the break tied at 1 - 1.
Canoles nearly gave Towson the lead early in the second half. She got a great ball over the top from Jasmine Hamid and her shot was stopped from about 10 yards out.
Monmouth had a dangerous free kick in the 56th minute but the shot went just high of the net. Riley Melendez came up with a big save in the 67th minute as Monmouth continued to apply pressure.
Canoles would strike in the 80th minute, Hamid would get around her defender down the left side and slot a pass to Canoles who sent it home to give Towson a 2 - 1 lead.
Melendez would close the match with a penalty kick save with six seconds remaining to give Towson their first CAA title and send Towson to the NCAA Tournament.
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