Defense Backs Calafiore's PK to Get Owls Past Xavier, 2-0

Friday, October 21

Ambler, Pa.

2:30 PM

Temple University

7-6-0, (3-1-0, A-10)

Xavier

8-3-2, (2-2-1, A-10)

Xavier

Temple

The Owls celebrating after Cody Calafiore's successful penalty kick attempt, which held up as the game-winner for Temple on Friday against Xavier.

Photo by: Mitchell Leff

Defense Backs Calafiore's PK to Get Owls Past Xavier, 2-0

10.21.11 | Men's Soccer

Box Score

AMBLER, Pa. – The Owls made their long overdue return to the Ambler Sports Complex on Friday afternoon where they defeated the Xavier Musketeers, who were receiving votes in the latest NSCAA poll, by a count of 2-0. Temple was backed by another strong defensive effort in front of sophomore goalkeeper Bobby Rosato. Junior Cody Calafiore nabbed the lead for Temple when he stepped in to take a penalty kick for Tyler Witmer in the 19th minute. Before time ran out in the contest, sophomore Andrew Dodds scored his second goal of the season, compliments of a pass by freshman Willie Chalfant. The late goal solidified Temple's second consecutive shutout victory. With the win, the Owls avenge last season's postseason departure loss to the Musketeers, while improving to 3-1-0 in Atlantic 10 Conference play and 7-6-0 on the regular season.

Before Calafiore got Temple on the board, Witmer drew the penalty kick after being roughly fouled by a Xavier defender. Witmer was assisted off the field with an apparent injury, causing him to not make a return for the remainder of the match. The extent of the injury is yet to be determined. Witmer will be evaluated over the course of the weekend as the team prepares for its match with Dayton on Sunday afternoon.

With the game-winning goal, Calafiore moved back into sole possession of the team lead in scoring with his fifth goal and 12th point of the season. His five goals already matches his season total from last season.

Defensively, it was evident the Owls were doing everything in their power to cling to the narrow 1-0 lead. Xavier outshot Temple 19-13 for the game, but only seven shots were directed on net at Rosato. The Owls made it very difficult for the Musketeers to get any significant scoring chances, as they found a way to cut off passes within their own zone and get in the way to block four shots.

Rosato now has four shutout wins tabbed to his record this season and has recorded back-to-back scoreless efforts in net for the first time in his collegiate career. Before today, the last time Temple had two straight no-goal games was back in October 2008 when it shut out Duquesne (Oct. 10) before holding St. Bonaventure scoreless two days later (Oct. 12).

Holding a 3-1-0 record in A-10 play, the Owls are sitting in third place of the conference standings before the rest of the league gets their matches underway Friday night and Saturday afternoon.

Temple will be looking to build on its position in the conference standings when it tries to carry its momentum into Sunday afternoon's A-10 affair with the Dayton Flyers (3-11-0, 2-2-0), who have won two straight games before heading into their match at Saint Joseph's on Friday night. Sunday's kickoff time with the Flyers at the Ambler Sports Complex is slated for 1:00 p.m.