Field Hockey Loses BIG EAST Opener to #2 UConn

Friday, October 9

Geasey Field

2:00 p.m.

Temple University

(3-9, 0-1)

UConn

(12-0, 2-0)

UConn

Temple

Photo by: Ken Light

Field Hockey Loses BIG EAST Opener to #2 UConn

10.9.15 | Field Hockey

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA - The second-ranked UConn Huskies proved too much for Temple field hockey in the Owls' BIG EAST opener on Friday afternoon, shutting out the Cherry & White by a score of 8-0. The Huskies (12-0, 2-0) were led by Charlotte Veitner with three goals and two assists.

Temple (3-9, 0-1) found itself on the defensive for most of the game, with its only shot on goal coming on a penalty corner in the final seconds. Senior goalkeeper Haley Mitchell nearly matched her career high with 11 saves as UConn came up with 30 total shots, 20 of which were on goal.

Temple head coach Marybeth Freeman said the game's outcome does not reflect the ability of her squad, and told them so at the end of the game.

"I told them we're not an 8-0 team against UConn. This is the seventh nationally ranked team we've played this year. I think we're better than an 8-0 game. It was a missed opportunity for us. We didn't start off the game well and that set the tone from the start. That's something we'll learn from. Like we've done all year, we'll continue to face adversity and bounce back from that."

The Huskies earned a total of 13 penalty corners to Temple's two, and scored on three of those. Five of UConn's goals came in the first half, including a penalty stroke by Roisin Upton in the 33rd minute. Anna Middendorf scored on a corner with time expired in the first half, giving the Huskies a 5-0 lead at the break.

The Owls kept UConn out of the goal for close to 12 minutes to start the second half, and all three of the Huskies' second-half goals were scored over a seven-minute stretch. The first two of those were by Veitner, who completed the hat trick with just under 20 minutes remaining.

Redshirt sophomore Sarah Keer had the Owls' best scoring chance with time expired on a corner at the end of the game, but UConn goalkeeper Nina Klein came up with the save.

"One positive from today is that we got a lot of people in the game," said Freeman, "and actually got more inside the 25 when our freshmen were up front which was good to see."

Temple will return to action at home on Sunday, Oct. 11 at 1 p.m., facing non-conference rival Bucknell.

Box Score (PDF)