Temple University Athletics
Temple University
(9-3)
Bucknell
(6-5)
Molly Doyle's Hat Trick Leads #18 Field Hockey to 3-1 Win Over Bucknell
10.6.13 | Field Hockey
PHILADELPHIA - The first hat trick of senior Molly Doyle's (Havertown, Pa./Merion Mercy) career led the 18th-ranked Temple field hockey team to a 3-1 win over Bucknell (6-5) on Sunday afternoon. The Owls (9-3) fell behind in the first five minutes, but went on to score three unanswered goals the rest of the way.
"I think today was a huge team effort and a great team win," said Doyle. "It really took a team effort to get those corners and I just happened to be the one behind the ball. I give credit to all my teammates- they played a phenomenal game today and that's how we put it away."
Nicole Kroener (Morgantown, Pa./Twin Valley) and Mandi Shearer (Bainbridge, Pa./Elizabethtown) each recorded two assists in the win for Temple. Doyle finished the week scoring every goal for Temple in two games, after also scoring the Owls' goal in a 2-1 overtime loss at #17 Louisville.
Just over five minutes into the game, Bucknell's Abby Watson redirected a long pass from the left by teammate Cassie Lawrence, and slipped it past Temple goalkeeper Lizzy Millen into the right corner of the cage. The 1-0 lead for the Bison would stand for 15 minutes, but they did not score again in the contest.
In the 22nd minute, Doyle scored her first goal on a direct corner with assists from Kroener and Shearer to tie the game.
With just two and a half minutes remaining before halftime, Doyle collected a loose ball off a Bucknell defender after a corner play, and shot from the right side of the circle to score unassisted and give the Owls a 2-1 lead at the break.
"Molly knows its her senior season," said Temple head coach Amanda Janney, "and we talked in our pregame about how the seniors only have eight guaranteed games left. Their careers are coming to an end faster than they want, and they have to value every moment.
"Molly stepped up today and we're happy to see her score some goals and come through on the corners when we needed her to. The last goal was huge, we needed that to hold on and make sure we weren't going into overtime. We're happy to have Molly and her senior class step up and show the leadership we wanted."
Temple's defense, led by Doyle, prevented Bucknell from taking a single shot on goal in the second half. Doyle continually turned away every opportunity for the Bison, and her defensive unit even held Bucknell without a shot on two penalty corners.
The insurance goal for the Owls came with just six minutes remaining, when Doyle completed her hat trick on a direct corner yet again, with assists from Kroener and Shearer. The third goal was Doyle's eighth of the season.
Millen finished with a pair of saves for Temple, while Bucknell's Erica Perrine made five saves.
Temple is back at home for two BIG EAST games next weekend. First up for the Owls is a 3:00 p.m. contest vs. Providence on Friday, Oct. 11.
Team Stats
Watson, Abby (3)
Assisted By: Lawrence, Cassie
Redirected on a long pass from the left
5:03
DOYLE, Molly (6)
Assisted By: KROENER, Nicole , SHEARER, Mandi
On a direct corner
21:16
DOYLE, Molly (7)
Collected and shot from the right side a
32:39
DOYLE, Molly (8)
Assisted By: SHEARER, Mandi , KROENER, Nicole
On a direct corner
63:59
