PHILADELPHIA -- The Temple field hockey team opened Atlantic 10 play with a 4-2 win over West Chester on Friday afternoon at Geasey Field. The Owls used two first half goals from sophomore Alli Lokey in winning their second straight and improving to 6-8 this season.
Lokey initiated the scoring just over 16 minutes into the first half following her fourth goal of the season. With under seven minutes remaining in the first frame, Lokey converted her fifth tally of 2005 off a penalty stroke at the 28:42 mark. For just the second time this season, the last coming in the season opener at Lehigh, the Owls took a two-goal advantage into the intermission.
West Chester responded slightly over ten minutes into the second half, triggering a combined four goals over the next five minutes, when senior Kelly Olinger's pass was converted by fellow classmate Megan Glielmi to cut the Owls' lead in half. Glielmi's goal would be the first of two she scored on the afternoon.
Senior Rachel Barber's goal, her season's third, at the 47:01 mark gave the Owls a short-lived cushion. Following Gliemi's second goal at 49:20, her eighth in 2005, Temple senior Melissa Fritze registered her second goal of the season and first since the Owls' 5-1 win over Lehigh. Fritze's goal was assisted by senior defender Ashley Shepps, who also recorded three defensive saves.
After the game, first year head coach Amanda Janney sung the praises of Lokey and Shepps.
"Lokey played great and continues to be a dominating midfielder for us while Shepps is such a tough, consistent defender. She plays with a lot of intensity every day."
Temple freshman goalkeeper Erin Hanshue, opposed by her older sister Carrie in the West Chester cage, stopped five shots. Carrie Hanshue, a senior and four-year starter playing in her 67th game as the Rams' stopper, saved six shots.
The Owls improved to 4-2 in games they tally the first goal and 6-1 when they outshoot their opponent.
Temple concludes a three-game homestand Sunday afternoon when visiting La Salle comes to Geasey Field for a noon start.
For more information regarding Temple Athletics, visit www.owlsports.com.
