Temple University Athletics
Temple University
(2-1)
Penn State
(1-2)
Field Hockey Upsets #6 Penn State on the Road in Convincing Fashion, 3-0
9.6.13 | Field Hockey
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - On the back of impressive performances from senior Molly Doyle and redshirt junior Lizzy Millen, Temple field hockey upset and shut out #6 Penn State (1-2) on the road by a score of 3-0. Doyle scored twice and Millen recorded six saves in the victory, which was the Owls' first against Penn State since 1983.
The win is the second for Temple (2-1) over a Big Ten team already this season, and is only the second-ever win against Penn State in a total of 33 games between the two teams.
"We're thrilled," said Temple head coach Amanda Janney. "Our players worked so hard to get ready this week in practice, and we went in with a strong game plan. Our speed and execution really showed today.
"This is a huge win for our program. We've struggled in the past against teams like this. The Big Ten is one of the best conferences in the country and we showed we can play with the best."
All three of the Owls' goals were scored on penalty corners, of which they had four in the game while Penn State earned 12. Corners have proven to be a strength of Temple's after only three games.
The Owls took only four shots on goal compared to 16 for the Nittany Lions, but Temple scored on three of those and got a big-time performance from Millen who finished with six saves.
"Everything fell into place tonight," said Millen. "You could just see how much we wanted it. I have to admit I was nervous. The second half couldn't end fast enough. I really wanted that shutout and so did all the girls. We were under a lot of pressure with all of Penn State's corners, but we held them off. We were a really strong unit today."
Doyle set the tone with a goal less than six minutes into the game off assists from Nicole Kroener and Mandi Shearer on a corner. In the 28th minute, Doyle assisted on a goal by Amber Youtz, also resulting from a corner.
The 2-0 lead held through the rest of the first half and most of the second, until Temple added one more with seven and a half minutes remaining. It was Doyle yet again, striking a shot into goal off a Penn State defender thanks to assists from Kroener and Rachel Steinman.
"It's an awesome feeling," said Doyle after the game. "I'm on cloud nine right now. We came into this game really positive and knew we could win. This is the best Temple team we've ever had.
Our corner execution on both sides was great. We knew we wouldn't get that many opportunities so we had to take advantage when they came. The time we spent practicing corners came in really clutch, and on the flip side, Lizzy had some amazing saves on defensive corners. Our d-unit as a whole played really well. We were getting hammered and we just kept it together."
The Owls will return home for their next game against Richmond, a former foe in the Atlantic 10. That game is set for 12:00 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 8.
Team Stats
DOYLE, Molly (2)
Assisted By: KROENER, Nicole , SHEARER, Mandi
Strike off penalty corner
5:47
YOUTZ, Amber (2)
Assisted By: DOYLE, Molly
Shot off penalty corner
27:35
DOYLE, Molly (2)
Assisted By: KROENER, Nicole , STEINMAN, Rachel
Shot deflected off defender into goal
62:29
