Towson High Soccer Wins First Four

boys' soccer coach Randy Dase laughs about it now, but just a week ago, as Dase’s Generals prepared to face  High, the coach actually feared his team might get blown out.

Towson had won its first two games heading into the matchup, but Dase was worried the Generals inexperience was about to catch up to them. Towson returned just four starters from last year’s team.

Not only did the Generals not get blown out, but they actually beat the Lions 2-1, securing their third straight win to start the season.

Towson (4-0) followed that with a 4-0 win against on Tuesday. They've also beaten Eastern Tech, 2-1, and , 1-0.

“I was tickled to death for the kids to get that win,” Dase said of the victory against Dulaney. “I thought that game was going to be a real challenge for us, and I was just hoping to play a respectable game, but to get the victory was just icing on the cake.”

During the game, the Generals fell behind early, allowing a goal within the first five minutes of the game, but battled back with goals from Kelton Lynch and Brennan Young.

Young and Avery Reneau have each tallied two goals for Towson. Ryan Talbott, Garrett McDonald, Aidan Miller, Joel Modesto and Lynch have also scored goals for the Generals.

“Offensively, we have some very good people up front,” Dase said.

In addition, he said the Generals defense, which he entered the season concerned about, has been “a pleasant surprise” thus far.

Dase singled out Dylan Weber, a converted midfielder, and Eric Laughlin as two players that have been, and will continue to be, pivotal to the Generals success defensively. He referred to Laughlin as being “the savior for us” against both Dulaney and . Weber, meanwhile, is in his third year as a varsity player.

“We’ve just been working hard and playing good team defense,” Weber said. “We also go hard through all of our tackles, so we’ve been able to win the ball that way, too. And when do win the ball, we’re a pretty good team in transition.”

Talbott and Mark Bickel anchor a deep group of midfielders. Young will also see time in the midfield as well as at forward.

Dase is also expecting big contributions from Lynch and Modesto at forward.

And while he was disappointed with last season’s 7-7 finish, and the Generals early exit in the Class 3A North playoffs, Dase is hopeful Towson can put together a much stronger season this year.

Prior to the loss, Dase said the Generals had made 10 straight trips to the regional finals.

Dase, in his 22nd season as Towson’s head coach, has guided the Generals to six regional championships as well as two state championships.

He is hoping to add another of each this year, but says the team’s primary focus is “just making sure we improve each week.”

“We just want to make sure we’re peaking come late October for the regional playoffs,” Dase said.

Towson plays next at Kenwood next Tuesday. Game time is 4 p.m.