Mired in a 0-3 start, Towson will make a change at goalkeeper, sending junior Travis Love for his first career start against No. 12 Navy (3-3) at Johnny Unitas Stadium Tuesday night.
Love, a Westminster native and Winters Mill graduate, has surrendered nine goals in second halves against No. 13 Stony Brook and No. 6 Maryland and made 12 saves for a .571 save percentage. Tigers coach Tony Seaman confirmed the move Monday morning.
"I just think that we're 0-3 and we're going the other way, and maybe it's time to see if a change helps us," Seaman said. "And I think this is something that he's worked at and deserves because of his play in two halves and at practice."
Love replaces senior Rob Wheeler, a Baltimore native and Friends graduate who has registered a 15.00 goals-against average and a .362 save percentage in three starts this season. Seaman said the pair bring different styles to the net.
"Rob's game is based more on being technically sound, and I think Travis has the ability to make some unbelievable saves at times," Seaman said. "They're both different personalities, too."
Other notes:
*Despite an upcoming schedule that includes contests against No. 12 Navy, No. 1 Virginia and No. 10 Loyola before opening play in the Colonial Athletic Association, Seaman said the players remain optimistic. "We had a great practice last night," he said. "Very energetic. I think everybody has found out that Bucknell is one of the favorites in the Patriot League and is a good team. Maybe the surprise team on our schedule is Stony Brook, but I think people right now are realizing that they're pretty good. They racked up a pretty good Delaware team the other day, and they gave Virginia all they could handle for three quarters. And Maryland's certainly one of the top four. They're undefeated and they've won some tough games against some good games. I think our guys felt good about coming back against them and not quitting and playing hard."
*Sophomore attackman Matt Lamon did not register a point in Saturday's 12-8 loss to the Terps, but just returning to the field was an accomplishment for the Annapolis native and St. Mary's graduate, who missed the first two games after undergoing an emergency appendectomy on Feb. 20. "It was a tough game for him, and those conditions don't help at all," Seaman said of the rain and wind that pelted Byrd Stadium. "That takes away your quickness, and he's a quick kid and he's sloshing around in mud and has got a 235-pound guy smacking the crap out of him. That's not good for anybody's wound. But he did well. I was happy with him. And I think he'll be much better as the weeks go on." Lamon is expected to play against the Midshipmen Tuesday night.