Field Hockey Shuts Out Holy Cross 2-0 For Third Straight Win

Sunday, October 2

Howarth Field

12:00 p.m.

Temple University

(4-8)

Holy Cross

(5-5)

Holy Cross

Temple

Photo by: Joseph V. Labolito/Temple University

Field Hockey Shuts Out Holy Cross 2-0 For Third Straight Win

10.2.16 | Field Hockey

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Video Highlights

PHILADELPHIA - Behind a strong defensive effort as well as a goal and an assist by senior Katie Foran, Temple field hockey (4-8) earned a shutout, 2-0 victory against Holy Cross (5-5) at Howarth Field on Sunday afternoon.

Freshman goalkeeper Maddie Lilliock came up with three saves in her first shutout, while freshman Becky Gerhart made two defensive stops, one in each half. Both freshmen are ranked in the top five nationally in saves per game and defensive saves, respectively.

"Maddie has really taken a very mature approach to her role this season," said head coach Marybeth Freeman. "She's kept a level head and has been really consistent for us. With every good goalkeeper, you need a solid defense as well, and Maddie has been fortunate to have the individuals that she has in front of her. Collectively, our defense this past weekend has done a great job."

The win was the third straight for the Owls, who came up big in the second half for a second game in a row.

"It's easy when you see your hard work pay off," said Freeman. "You gain confidence. Though we've had some difficult games, we've seen a lot of adversity in the past, and I think our team has done a good job of staying the course and believing in what we're doing. It's really easy this past weekend to see that we believe in what we're doing. Our passes are clicking, our speed is getting faster, our level of aggressiveness is getting stronger so we're seeing the lessons that we've learned over the past few games come to fruition."

The first half was scoreless as the teams mostly battled for possession outside of their offensive circles. Both Temple and Holy Cross earned three penalty corner opportunities, but Lilliock, Gerhart and the Crusaders' Marcia LaPlante turned away a combined four shots.

Temple's defense had to weather a storm late in the first half as the Owls had to play briefly down by two players, and for a long stretch down by one after a yellow card. Temple was also whistled for two green cards in the opening period, while Holy Cross had one.

After taking six total shots in the first half, Temple took 13 in the second and that increase paid off. Seven and a half minutes in, one of six second-half penalty corners led to a goal as Foran deflected in a shot by redshirt junior Sarah Keer to put the Owls on the board.

The assist was the fourth of the season for Keer, who leads the team, while Foran's goal was also her fourth on the year.

Lilliock came up with a save just 30 seconds after Temple's goal to preserve the lead. LaPlante recorded two more saves before the Owls got their insurance goal with just over 10 minutes remaining. Keer set up the play from the top of the circle, getting the ball to Foran who chipped it in from the right side to an open Rachel Mueller, who scored her team-leading seventh goal of the season.

After one more big save from Lilliock in the final minutes, the Owls completed the shutout win. For the game, Temple earned nine penalty corners compared to five for Holy Cross, and out-shot the Crusaders 19-12 overall and 8-5 in shots on goal.

Next up, Temple will return to BIG EAST play, hosting No. 14 Old Dominion at 3 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 7.

Box Score (PDF) l Video Highlights