Temple University Athletics
Friday, August 20
Ambler, Pa.
5:00 p.m.
Temple University
2
vs
4
Villanova
Diviny, K. Yurkovic and Conn celebrate
Photo by: Joseph V. Labolito/Temple University
Women's Soccer Topped By Villanova In Home Opener, 4-2
8.20.10 | Women's Soccer
Owls fight back in second half with two unanswered goals
Box Score
AMBLER, Pa. - The Temple women's soccer team kicked off the fall sports season with a showdown against rival Villanova, Friday afternoon at Ambler Sports Complex. The Wildcats would play spoiler in the Owls' home debut, handing out a 4-2 loss. Senior Kelly Diviny was the catalyst for Temple's second half surge, assisting on the Owls' first goal and tallying the second.
Villanova (1-0-0) wasted no time getting on the board, capitalizing on sloppy play from Temple. Sophomore Heidi Sabatura scored two consecutive unassisted goals in the sixth and 14th minutes, each time on takeaway balls. Junior Katie Ryan added an unassisted tally in the 29th minute, then fed freshman Stephanie Myers for a blast from the top of the box to give the Wildcats a commanding 4-0 lead heading into the break.
The Owls (0-1-0) had several chances in the first half, including a shot from junior Allicia 'Sha' Yurkovic that was deflected wide by VU keeper Jami Kranich. Junior Tara Murphy started in goal for the Owls, making four saves and enduring a tough period of defensive lapses.
Temple was outshot 9-4 in the first period, but would show resiliency and fought their way back in the second half. Diviny got things started with a beautiful cross from the left side, finding the foot of sophomore Kate Yurkovic, who chipped the ball in left side for the Owls' first goal of the season in the 71st minute.
An energized Temple offense summoned up one more score, as it would be Allicia Yurkovic crossing a ball from the right side for Diviny, who buried a shot just inside the right post in the 89th minute. Senior Kara Williams took over in net for Murphy at halftime, making one save in the second stanza.
The Owls had several other scoring chances including two shots that found the crossbar. Senior Steph Ferretti made a nice cross to junior Niki Conn which found the post, along with a blast from the left side by freshman Jenna Gosnay that found the iron.
"Obviously we were not pleased with how we started," said Temple head coach David Jones. "We made a couple of mistakes early and they punished us as good teams do. The positive we are going to take from this is how well we played in the second half. We went down, came back and fought and fought. It's not that we just scored a couple of goals, but it's how well we played, and those are things that after the first game of the season when you lose you can take some confidence out of and build on that, and that's what were going to do."
In the end, the Owls outshot Villanova by a margin of 12-11. Their play in the second half was the determining factor, outshooting the Wildcats by a margin of 8-2.
Action for the Temple women's soccer team at Ambler Sports Complex continues this weekend as they take on Howard on Sunday, August 22 at 1:00 p.m.
AMBLER, Pa. - The Temple women's soccer team kicked off the fall sports season with a showdown against rival Villanova, Friday afternoon at Ambler Sports Complex. The Wildcats would play spoiler in the Owls' home debut, handing out a 4-2 loss. Senior Kelly Diviny was the catalyst for Temple's second half surge, assisting on the Owls' first goal and tallying the second.
Villanova (1-0-0) wasted no time getting on the board, capitalizing on sloppy play from Temple. Sophomore Heidi Sabatura scored two consecutive unassisted goals in the sixth and 14th minutes, each time on takeaway balls. Junior Katie Ryan added an unassisted tally in the 29th minute, then fed freshman Stephanie Myers for a blast from the top of the box to give the Wildcats a commanding 4-0 lead heading into the break.
The Owls (0-1-0) had several chances in the first half, including a shot from junior Allicia 'Sha' Yurkovic that was deflected wide by VU keeper Jami Kranich. Junior Tara Murphy started in goal for the Owls, making four saves and enduring a tough period of defensive lapses.
Temple was outshot 9-4 in the first period, but would show resiliency and fought their way back in the second half. Diviny got things started with a beautiful cross from the left side, finding the foot of sophomore Kate Yurkovic, who chipped the ball in left side for the Owls' first goal of the season in the 71st minute.
An energized Temple offense summoned up one more score, as it would be Allicia Yurkovic crossing a ball from the right side for Diviny, who buried a shot just inside the right post in the 89th minute. Senior Kara Williams took over in net for Murphy at halftime, making one save in the second stanza.
The Owls had several other scoring chances including two shots that found the crossbar. Senior Steph Ferretti made a nice cross to junior Niki Conn which found the post, along with a blast from the left side by freshman Jenna Gosnay that found the iron.
"Obviously we were not pleased with how we started," said Temple head coach David Jones. "We made a couple of mistakes early and they punished us as good teams do. The positive we are going to take from this is how well we played in the second half. We went down, came back and fought and fought. It's not that we just scored a couple of goals, but it's how well we played, and those are things that after the first game of the season when you lose you can take some confidence out of and build on that, and that's what were going to do."
In the end, the Owls outshot Villanova by a margin of 12-11. Their play in the second half was the determining factor, outshooting the Wildcats by a margin of 8-2.
Action for the Temple women's soccer team at Ambler Sports Complex continues this weekend as they take on Howard on Sunday, August 22 at 1:00 p.m.
Ep. 10: Temple Homecoming Preview; Volleyball Assistant Coach Taylor Davenport
Tuesday, October 07
Ep. 9: Head Women's Soccer Coach Chris Shaw
Friday, October 03
Ep. 8: Temple Athletics Weekly Recap; Women's Cross Country Runner Amelia Sabatino
Tuesday, September 30
Ep. 7: Temple Field Hockey Alumna Cherifa Howarth
Friday, September 26
