Temple University Athletics
Owls Hang Tough But Fall to Rhode Island, 3-1
10.13.06 | Women's Soccer
Oct. 13, 2006
AMBLER- Two goals in the final 14 minutes of play lifted the Rhode Island women's soccer team to a 3-1 victory over the Temple Owls on Friday afternoon. After a scoreless first half, Becca Fish gave the Rams a 1-0 lead when her direct kick found the back of the net in the 67th minute. The lead was short lived however, as the Owls' Wendy Halina knotted the score at 1-1 just seconds later. It appeared as if the game would be decided in overtime, before Dora Larusdottir's unassisted goal in the 76th minute gave the Rams the lead for good. The Owls drop to 3-9-0 (0-4-0), while Rhode Island improves to 8-7-0 (4-1-0).
Thanks to stellar defensive play, the teams played to a stalemate in the first half. Temple goalkeeper Tiffany Kasunich was busy, making two incredible saves. The Owls flirted with disaster when Larusdottir's corner kick deflected off of Kasunich and sat in front of an empty goal. However, Cori Gallagher stepped up and was able to clear the ball out of the Temple zone.
Kasunich continued her brilliant work in goal in the second half when she made a terrific save on a direct kick from Laura Forgione. A Temple foul midway through the second half gave Fish a penalty kick from about 20 yards out. She would make the Owls pay, as she fired the ball over the head of a leaping Kasunich to break the scoreless tie.
The Owls wasted little time responding, as Halina took a pass from Kamille Edwards and blasted a shot past Rhode Island goalkeeper Amanda Thomas just 20 seconds later.
Halina's goal appeared to shift the momentum into the Owls' favor; however the Rams' offensive attack proved to be too much to handle. Larusdottir gave Rhode Island the lead for good when she flew past the Temple defense and fired a shot just out of Kasunich's reach. Deb Nelson added an insurance goal in the final five minutes when she took a pass from Fish and headed the ball home.
Kasunich had a game-high five saves in goal, while Thomas made two stops.
The Owls return to Ambler Field this Sunday when they take on the Massachusetts Minutewomen. Game time is 1:00 p.m.
