Field Hockey Drops Overtime Heartbreaker to Bucknell

Sunday, October 11

Geasey Field

1:00 p.m.

Temple University

(3-10)

Bucknell (Homecoming)

(6-7)

OT 2

Bucknell

Temple

Sophomore Hattie Kuhns scoring against Bucknell

Photo by: Ken Light

Field Hockey Drops Overtime Heartbreaker to Bucknell

10.11.15 | Field Hockey

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA - For a second week in a row, Temple field hockey suffered a loss in sudden death overtime on its home field, this time dropping a 2-1 decision to non-conference foe Bucknell. The Owls came back from a 1-0 deficit in regulation, but the Bison got the game-winner on a breakaway just under five minutes into the extra period.

It was the sixth straight loss for the Owls, who drop to 3-10 overall. The Bison now stand at 6-7. Four of Temple's recent losses have been by a single goal, including two in overtime.

"We followed the game plan today," said Temple head coach Marybeth Freeman, "but we were just 'there.' We were just kind of going through the motions today. The energy we had in warm-up was fantastic but we didn't translate it onto the field for the start...We weren't as purposeful as we needed to be."

The Owls were without a shot on goal in the first half, but senior goalkeeper Haley Mitchell made three saves in the period to keep the Bison scoreless. Temple also thwarted three penalty corner chances for Bucknell in the half, and the teams went into halftime knotted at 0-0.

The scoreless play continued for over 17 minutes to start the second half, until Emily Hitchings scored on a strong shot from the far left for Bucknell. The pass came from Kiersten Sydnor, Bucknell's leading scorer who would later get the overtime game-winner.

Seven minutes after the Bison took the lead, Temple rallied to tie the game. Sophomore Hattie Kuhns took a dive on the far post to tip in a cross from senior Erin VanHorn.

Mitchell made a save to preserve the tie in the 62nd minute, while Bucknell's Emily Finn was forced to make three saves in the final six minutes. All three Temple shots came on penalty corners, as the Owls earned five of them in the second half to Bucknell's three, and finished the half with a 10-7 edge in total shots.

Kuhns had a shot for Temple four and a half minutes into overtime, but it was blocked by a Bucknell defender. One minute later, Sydnor and Amy Mucelli came down the field in a 2-on-1 breakaway, with Mucelli finding an open Sydnor on the right post for the game-winning goal.

"Bucknell won today because they deserved to win," said Freeman. "Personnel-wise, I think we are a very strong team. Unfortunately we're just having trouble exhibiting that over the complete game. Credit to Bucknell, they came out and put their best foot forward. So kudos to them, but we missed another opportunity here."

Temple will play its next two games away from home, starting with a 7 p.m. contest at BIG EAST rival Providence on Friday, Oct. 16.

Box Score (PDF)