Field Hockey Defeats Ohio State 4-1; Owls Will Face #2 Maryland on Sunday for Conference Cup Championship

Saturday, August 31

Geasey Field

2:30 PM

Temple University

(1-0)

Ohio State

(0-1)

Ohio State

Temple

Temple field hockey celebrates a 4-1 win vs. Ohio State

Photo by: Paige Ozaroski

Field Hockey Defeats Ohio State 4-1; Owls Will Face #2 Maryland on Sunday for Conference Cup Championship

8.31.13 | Field Hockey

Box Score

Photo Gallery l Postgame Interview

PHILADELPHIA - With three goals in a big second half, Temple field hockey won its season-opening game against Ohio State in the Owls' own Conference Cup Tournament. Temple will now face #2 Maryland in Sunday's final at 3:30 p.m. at Geasey Field. The Terrapins were 8-4 winners over New Hampshire, who will play Ohio State in the third-place game at 1:00 p.m.

The win was the first for Temple field hockey over a Big Ten team since defeating Michigan State in 1998.

"We're so happy to get a win today over an excellent Ohio State team," said Temple head coach Amanda Janney. "To get a win over a Big Ten team means we're moving in the right direction. Moving into our new conference we have to get used to not being intimidated by big name teams. Our players worked so hard today to earn goals."

Four different players scored for Temple including freshman Katie Foran who notched the first goal of her career. Ohio State earned eight penalty corners to Temple's five, but the Owls really took advantage by scoring on three of those opportunities.

Fourteen minutes into the contest, it was Ohio State that got on the board first when Paige Hamilton scored unassisted, beating Temple goalkeeper Lizzy Millen one-on-one. It would prove to be the only goal Millen allowed, and she finished with six saves in the win.

Just a minute and a half after falling behind 1-0, Temple answered with a goal by Nicole Kroener off an assist from Sarah Deck on a penalty corner play. The 1-1 tie stood through halftime as both teams stayed strong on defense down the stretch of the first half.

"We're trying to instill a pretty a high-powered attack, and our team is still learning where to position themselves and how to play off their teammates," said Janney. "Once we settled in for the second half I think the players moved the ball really well and we figured out what Ohio State was doing and not doing, and we were able to take advantage."

Foran scored six minutes into the second half for what would prove to be the game-winner, putting the ball in the back of the cage from five yards out off an excellent pass from Amber Youtz.

The lead remained slim at 2-1 until Youtz scored a goal of her own with just over 10 minutes remaining. During a man-up situation for the Owls, Youtz tipped in a shot by Lauren Hunt on a penalty corner. The final goal of the game came with less than a minute remaining when Temple once again took advantage of a corner, this time scoring directly on the play. Molly Doyle got the goal with assists from Kroener and Mandi Shearer, and the Owls were soon able to celebrate the victory.

Looking ahead to Sunday, Janney knows her team will face a tough test, but she embraces it.

"Maryland is such a talented team. I know it's going to be a beautiful game of hockey. It helps playing an even better team because it allows us to spread things out, and it will be a great test of our defensive abilities."

Fans can watch a live webcast of Sunday's contest for free at: http://owlsports.com/showcase/?Live=79