Field Hockey Falls 2-0 at #7 Penn State

Friday, September 4

State College, Pa.

6:00 p.m.

Temple University

(1-2)

Penn State

(1-2)

Temple

Penn State

Photo by: Joseph V. Labolito/Temple University

Field Hockey Falls 2-0 at #7 Penn State

9.4.15 | Field Hockey

Box Score

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The shots just didn't find the target for Temple field hockey on Friday night as the Owls suffered a 2-0 loss at the hands of #7 Penn State. Temple (1-2) has seen both of its losses come against Top 10 teams early in the season.

The Nittany Lions (1-2) scored two goals on penalty corner plays in the first half, and the score stood for the final 43 minutes and 38 seconds of the contest.

Temple senior goalkeeper Haley Mitchell, the reigning BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week, was bombarded with shots early in the second half but held her ground. She made four of her seven total saves in the first three minutes of the second period to keep Temple within two, but the Owls couldn't capitalize on their opportunities down the stretch.

"We just need to be more efficient with the ball," said Temple head coach Marybeth Freeman. "As far as possessions, it was a pretty even game. We did get out-shot and out-cornered, but I think we had our opportunities. We just need to be more efficient in our passing and connecting through the midfield...I thought Haley had a great game and stepped up really nicely in some pressure situations."

Senior Alyssa Delp took two of the Owls' three shots on goal, but Penn State goalkeeper Jenny Rizzo thwarted both of them as well as another by senior Tricia Light to earn the shutout. After taking just five total shots in the first half, Temple took seven in the second. The Owls also earned three second-half penalty corners to put some pressure on the Nittany Lions.

Katie Dembrowski scored on a corner for PSU just over three minutes into the game. Brooke Birosik also scored on a corner play for the Lions in the 27th minute.

Senior Sarah Deck and redshirt sophomore Sarah Keer both kept the offensive pressure on with four shots and three shots, respectively, but weren't able to get one on goal.

"Alyssa Delp did a great job being a catalyst in getting our attacking opportunities," said Freeman. "I also think Sarah Keer did a nice job and was very aggressive on ball."

Temple will look to get back in the win column on Monday, Sept. 7 as the Owls host city rival Saint Joseph's at 3:00 p.m.

Box Score (PDF)