Temple University Athletics
Field Hockey Maintains Top 20 National Ranking in NFHCA Coaches Poll
9.17.13 | Field Hockey
NFHCA Division I Coaches Poll (Sept. 17)
PHILADELPHIA - For a second week in a row, Temple field hockey is ranked nationally in the Penn Monto/NFHCA Division I Coaches Poll. The Owls, who entered the poll at No. 11 last week, are now ranked No. 14. Last week marked the program's first national ranking in 12 years.
Temple suffered only its second loss of the season this past Friday, falling 2-0 at Delaware. The Blue Hens, unranked last week, are now in the poll at No. 16. The Owls recovered quickly from the setback and defeated Monmouth by a score of 6-0 a day later.
The Owls' wins this season also include a 3-0 victory over then sixth-ranked Penn State, currently No. 12 in the poll, and a 4-1 win vs. Ohio State. Temple also defeated former Atlantic 10 rival Richmond, 3-2 in overtime.
In the national statistics, Temple is ranked second among all Division I teams in saves percentage at .833, which is entirely due to the performance of Lizzy Millen who has played every minute in the cage for the Owls. As a team, Temple is also ranked fourth in the nation in assists per game at 3.50, and ninth in the nation in points per game at 9.17.
Amber Youtz is ranked second nationally in points per game (3.33) and fourth in goals per game (1.33). She is the reigning BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week after scoring a career-high four goals in the win vs. Monmouth. She also recorded two assists in the game, and her 10 total points tie for the most in a single game by any NCAA Division I player so far this season. Youtz was the second Temple player in a row to earn the BIG EAST weekly honor, after teammate Molly Doyle did so the week prior.
Next up for the Owls is the start of the BIG EAST slate on Friday, Sept. 20 at Villanova. That contest is set for 7:00 p.m. On Sunday, Temple will return home for a non-conference game against Longwood at 1:00 p.m.
