PHILADELPHIA -- The annual Temple Field Hockey Invitational opened Saturday afternoon with a 3-2 Temple win over Rutgers at Geasey Field. Freshman forward Mandi Ruth tallied two goals while freshman forward Dannah Brehm added the third. With the win, the Owls improved to 2-0 while the Scarlet Knights drop to .500 at 2-2.
The Owls headed into the intermission holding an 11-2 shot advantage and a 2-1 lead behind Ruth. Ruth, playing in just her second collegiate contest, notched her first career goal in an Owls uniform at the 29:26 mark of the first half. Fellow freshman Charise Young assisted the goal following her cross from the left-circle. Rutgers freshman forward Jessika Hoh would answer slightly over 20 minutes later with the match's equalizer. The hosts ended the half's scoring after junior forward Liz Watto set up Ruth for the go-ahead goal.
The Owls would extend their lead just over five minutes into the second session when freshman forward Dannah Brehm deposited the first goal of her collegiate career. Brehm gathered a rebound that had redirected off the post to give Temple the two-goal advantage. In the end, Rutgers would make the final 19 minutes of the contest interesting after freshman forward Kristen Johnson redirected a shot off the stick of junior defender Corinne Bach at the 18:36 mark. Johnson's goal was her fourth of the season and the Scarlet Knights' final tally of the afternoon.
Defensively, Temple sophomore goalkeeper Erin Hanshue needed five saves en route to the victory while sophomore midfielder Mary Catherine Kinneman recorded a defensive save. Rutgers junior goalkeeper Rosalyn Wentko posted nine saves.
"The team showed a lot of heart and determination to play through the weather conditions," commented second-year Temple coach Amanda Janney making note of the afternoon's steady down-pour. "The team-defense played well and the offense created enough scoring opportunities to win."
In game two on day one of the Temple Field Hockey Invitational, #6 American coasted to a resounding 6-1 victory over #16 Michigan State. Sophomore forward Irene Schickhardt offensively-paced the Eagles with two goals in the winning effort.
Day two of the weekend's festivities continues tomorrow at noon when Temple hosts #16 Michigan State while Rutgers will play #6 American at 2:00 p.m.
