#14 Temple Field Hockey Falls 2-0 to #9 Penn State

Sunday, October 5

Geasey Field

12 p.m.

Temple University

(8-4)

Penn State

(10-2)

Penn State

Temple

Photo by: Ken Light

#14 Temple Field Hockey Falls 2-0 to #9 Penn State

10.5.14 | Field Hockey

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA - Despite a strong defensive effort highlighted by 12 saves from senior goalkeeper Lizzy Millen, #14 Temple field hockey fell 2-0 to #9 Penn State at Geasey Field on Sunday afternoon. The Nittany Lions (10-2) got one goal in each half, and put the pressure on the Owls (8-4) for most of the game.

Temple had a few strong opportunities later in the second half, with one penalty corner and three shots on goal, but the Owls were unable to execute as Penn State goalkeeper Kylie Licata made three saves.
The Lions earned 11 penalty corners to the Owls' one, and scored their first goal on the eighth of those corners.

After Millen had made seven saves on Penn State's first seven corners, one finally got past her in the 31st minute of the game. Taylor Herold scored on a direct corner for the Lions, and it would be the only goal of the first 65 minutes of the game.

With just over 15 minutes remaining in the game, Temple head coach Amanda Janney called timeout. The Owls promptly came back out and earned some chances on offense, with shots from Amber Youtz and Erin VanHorn. With seven minutes remaining, Temple earned its only penalty corner, but could not get a clean shot off on the opportunity.

Two minutes later, Penn State added its insurance goal when Laura Gebhart scored from eight yards out on a strong shot after bringing the ball in from the right side.

"The corner execution was the biggest difference in the game," said Janney. "They drew a lot of corners and we drew one and didn't execute. Late in the season we will have to be able to draw those corners and execute."

Janney praised her team for its mentality throughout the game, carrying over from a comeback win at Providence on Friday.

"I think after the timeout, they really responded," said Janney. "This team has amazing character and great heart and they're going to fight until the end. Even down 2-0 with less than a minute to go, we were still trying to create attack.

"We gave up way too many shots, but Lizzy had a great game. Nicole Kroener also had an amazing weekend for us. Even though she's a midfielder, her ability to shut down Penn State's #5 (Gebhart) was huge. That was part of our game plan. Our midfield's defense was much better. I think our team defense is coming along, we just have to put it together with our backs and midfielders having their best game at the same time."

Temple will play two games at home next weekend, starting with a 3:00 p.m. BIG EAST contest against Villanova on Friday, Oct. 10.

Box Score (PDF)