PHILADELPHIA -- The 7th ranked Nittany Lions shut out the Temple field hockey team, 5-0, Wednesday afternoon at Geasey Field. The Penn State victory, the team's seventh straight, is marked as the 300th in head coach Charlene Morett's career at Happy Valley.
The Temple offense could not generate much in the circle while the defensive unit was consistently under pressure the entire afternoon. The Owls only registered three shots and just one on goal -- all from the stick of senior Rachel Barber. Goalkeeper Erin Hanshue stopped three first half shots while allowing four goals before freshman Kendra Kennedy made her collegiate debut in the cage. Kennedy saved three Penn State shots and allowed one goal in 35 minutes of action.
Junior Annelise Legel's first half hat trick led a Nittany Lion offense that earned 12 more corner penalties. While her first tally went unassisted, goals two and three were set up by senior Natalie Berrena and sophomore Kiersten Wood, respectively. Sophomore Shaun Banta's fifth goal of the season, with 15:07 remaining, was the third Nittany Lion goal of the first half. Penn State added their final tally of the contest with 15:11 to play when sophomore Natalie Blasco beat Kennedy.
On the defensive end, Penn State senior goalkeeper Megan Akstin stopped one shot for her third shut out of the season while Owls defender Ashley Shepps recorded a defensive save.
The Temple loss was their sixth straight -- all at Geasey Field.
The Owls will play just their second road game of the season Friday (9/16) evening at 7:00 p.m. against Virginia-Commonwealth University.
For more information regarding Temple Athletics, visit www.owlsports.com.
