Temple University Athletics
SENIORS LEAD THE WAY IN MEN'S SOCCER'S 2-1 WIN OVER PHILLY U IN SEASON OPENER
8.26.06 | Men's Soccer
PHILADELPHIA -- Seniors Chris Shelton and Matt Maher scored first half goals to lift the Temple men's soccer team to a 2-0 halftime lead and the Owls survived a strong Philadelphia University rally to hold on for a 2-1 win Saturday afternoon at Ravenhill Field in the opener for both teams. The game also counts as one of two official Philadelphia Soccer 7 matches for each team.
"I am happy with the win but am not happy with the way we played," said Temple coach David MacWilliams, who won his fourth straight match against his alma mater. "I thought we did some nice things in the first half, but the second half we lost our intensity.
"Philly U. was pretty intense. They kept knocking the ball and we had some defensive breakdowns which we need to work on."
After a scoreless first 40 minutes in which Temple dominated offensively, the Cherry and White finally found the back of the net off a corner kick. Junior Mike Minai placed on the foot of junior Eddie Romero. Romero then found Shelton, who finished the play for his third career goal at the 40:44 mark. Maher then scored on a penalty kick one minute later following a foul in the box for his seventh career goal.
Temple ended the half with an 11-1 advantage in shots and the two goals tied for the most in any contest during the 2005 season.
"We had many more opportunities (than last year), but I would have liked to have seen us finish some more," MacWilliams said. "The good thing is we are getting some chances and we just need to finish them because it almost came back to haunt us today."
The Rams controlled the play in the second half, attempting 11 shots to the Owls' seven. The hosts finally got on the scoreboard as sophomore Antonio Starvaggi headed home a perfect corner kick off the foot of senior Matt Tompkins in the 80th minute. Temple reinserted three starters, Shelton, Romero and freshman defender Brant Hovington quickly after the tally and held on for the victory.
Maher, the team's sweeper back, made two fine saves in the contest to lead the Temple defense.
"Matty is assuming that (leadership) role and hopefully he can build from it," MacWilliams said.
Sophomore Bryant Hosler earned the nod in goal over junior Tony Pratico and junior transfer Trevor Lyman. Hosler made six saves in the match.
"I thought he kept us in the game when we had the (defensive) lapse," said MacWilliams on Hosler. "He came up big and had a couple saves. He did a great job for us today."
Junior keeper Mike Wallover recorded eight saves in the contest.
The Owls will open their home schedule with a 3:30 p.m. match against Lehigh on Tuesday at Ambler Field.
