Mahoney's Late Game-Winner Lifts Owls Over Delaware, 2-1, in Non-Conference Finale

Tuesday, October 18

Temple Sports Complex

3:00 p.m.

Temple University

9-5-1

Delaware

9-5-1

DELAWARE

TEMPLE

Photo by: Joseph V. Labolito/Temple University

Mahoney's Late Game-Winner Lifts Owls Over Delaware, 2-1, in Non-Conference Finale

10.18.16 | Men's Soccer

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA – The Owls' non-conference slate come to a close on Tuesday afternoon with a 2-1 victory over the Delaware Blue Hens. Overall, Temple posted an 8-3 record in the non-conference schedule in 2016 and turn focus to its three final conference matches.

"I think we beat a very good team today," said head coach David MacWilliams. "[Delaware has] a high-pressure offense and overall I thought we did well today."

The Owls came out strong in the first half with seven overall shots from numerous players. Just over nine minutes into game play, Albert Moreno overturned a ball off a Blue Hen defender to dribble up the left side of the field and slide a pass to a waiting Jorge Gomez Sanchez. Gomez Sanchez stood at the center of the box and booted in his 13th goal of the season to the back left corner of the net.

Alex Cagle and the Owl defense were able to hold the 1-0 lead throughout the remaining 35 minues of play in the first half. The Blue Hens posted four shots and forced Cagle to make a single save to maintain the lead.

As the second half opened, the Delaware offense struck early. After drawing their third corner kick of the day and making a quick insert, Fede Prieto found himself with the ball amongst the scramble in front of the net. His shot crossed from the far right side of the box to the back left corner of the net to tie the game.

After numerous offensive pushes from both sides, the Owls were able to break through after Jordan Wix Rauch found a charging Belal Mohamed on the left side who dribbled around a Blue Hen defender and crossed to find Matt Mahoney. Finding its way through a trio of Delaware defenders, Mahoney controlled the pass and let off a left-footed shot over the defenders and into the back-right corner of the net.

Mahoney's game-winning goal was also his first of the season.

"We have three conference games left and we just need to take them one at a time," said MacWilliams. "If we build from this win we go on and get a result on Saturday. If we get the result we want on Saturday we basically control our own destiny. We're up for the challenge."

The Owls now stand at 9-5-1 overall and welcome Tulsa on Saturday for a 7 p.m. conference match at the Temple Sports Complex.

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