Temple University Athletics
Temple's Offensive Woes Continue in 3-1 Loss To Richmond
10.1.06 | Men's Soccer
Oct. 1, 2006
AMBLER, PA - Richmond's Delano Pierre scored two second half goals to lead the visiting Spiders to a 3-1 win over Temple Sunday afternoon at Ambler Field in men's soccer action. Sophomore midfielder Joe Cartwright netted his first career goal as a member of the Owls, but it proved to be too little too late as Temple fell to 1-8-1 (0-2-0, A-10) on the season. With the win, Richmond evened its record at 5-5-2 (2-0-0).
Inconsistency on the offensive end hurt the Owls once again, as the inability to capitalize on early opportunities proved to be fatal. In the 10th minute, sophomore Mike Pupollo sent a cross in front of the Richmond net, only to have it deflected away. Senior Ryan Heins fired a rocket on goal in the 31st minute, but Richmond goalkeeper Eric Sciocchetti was able to make the stop.
Temple was without the services of senior sweeper Matt Maher for the second straight game. Maher, the team's leading scorer, was sidelined due to a hamstring injury. Despite missing one of their top players, the Owls were able to stay competitive for much of the half. Kern Gardiner broke the scoreless tie in the 33rd minute when he took a pass from Pierre in front of the Temple goal and lofted a high arcing shot just out of the reach of a leaping Tony Pratico to give the Spiders a 1-0 lead. Richmond had a chance to add to its lead just minutes later when Fynn Glover's shot sailed high of the crossbar.
Pierre gave the Spiders a 2-0 advantage in the 57th minute on an unconventional play. After turning away a Temple shot, Sciocchetti sent a high booming kick to Pierre, who also booted a high arcing ball towards the net from 25 yards out. Pratico was caught out of position as the ball sailed over his head and found the left corner of the goal.
Richmond took a 3-0 lead in the 74th minute when Stephen Chareczko's corner kick was taken by Sam Fugsley who then found Pierre in the box. Pierre was again able to find the back of the net for his second goal of the game.
Temple desperately tried to get something going on offense and appeared to find the spark they needed when Cartwright took a pass from Ben Marucci and weaved his way through the Richmond defense and sent a screamer past Sciocchetti to get the Owls on the board. Moments later, Chris Shelton barely missed bringing Temple to within one when his shot was just inches to the right of the net. Time then ran out on the Owls as they dropped their second straight conference game.
Both Pratico and Sciocchetti recorded three saves on the afternoon.
The Owls return to Ambler Field this Saturday afternoon at 12:00 p.m. when they host city rival Saint Joseph's in a A-10/Soccer 7 match.
