Lacrosse Falls 15-9 to UConn in BIG EAST Opener

Saturday, March 29

Geasey Field

1:00 PM

Temple University

3-7, 0-1BIG EAST

Connecticut

6-4, 1-0BIG EAST

UConn

Temple

Nicole Tiernan

Photo by: Hua Zong

Lacrosse Falls 15-9 to UConn in BIG EAST Opener

3.29.14 | Women's Lacrosse

Box Score

Box Score (PDF)

PHILADELPHIA - Despite hat tricks from both Nicole Tiernan and Jaymie Tabor, Temple lacrosse was unable to get enough of a rally going late in the second half and lost 15-9 to UConn in the BIG EAST opener. The Owls (3-7, 0-1) led the game 4-3 in the first half, but the Huskies (6-4, 1-0) used a 6-0 run from the first half to the second to take the lead for good.

Tiernan scored a career-high four goals to lead the Owls, including three in the last nine minutes and seven seconds of the contest. Tabor scored three goals for her fourth hat trick of the year, with all three coming in the first 14 minutes of the game.

UConn had three players with three goals apiece- Lauren Kahn, Katherine Finkelston and Carly Palmucci. Kahn led all players in points, racking up 10 as she also recorded four assists.

The Owls dominated on draw controls throughout the afternoon, finishing with a 17-9 advantage, and were able to take 24 total shots to UConn's 22. Ultimately, a few too many turnovers and some strong saves by the Huskies' goalkeeper Shannon Nee made the difference.

Tiernan got Temple on the board first in the opening minute of the game, but UConn answered with three straight over the next seven minutes. Down 3-1, Tabor really got things going for the Owls. She earned three free-position opportunities in a four-minute stretch, and was able to convert on all three for a 4-3 Temple lead at 16:40.

Tabor's final goal would prove to be the last for Temple over a 25-minute stretch through the remainder of the first half and the first eight minutes of the second. In that time, UConn scored six goals, three of which came from Palmucci, to take a 9-4 lead with 24:14 left in the game.

Kelly Syphard scored on a Tabor assist to end the Huskies' run, but they proceeded to rattle off three more goals for a 12-5 advantage.

Tiernan quickly gave the Owls some momentum with goals at 9:07 and 8:36 to cut the deficit to five, but once again UConn scored three straight to put the game out of reach with four minutes remaining. In the final minute and 50 seconds, Tiernan scored again as did Morgan Glassford off an assist from Megan Tiernan.

The Owls will now look to get their first BIG EAST win when they host Villanova on Saturday, April 5 at 1:00 p.m.