Field Hockey Comes Up Short Against Monmouth, 3-2

Sunday, September 18

Howarth Field

1:00 p.m.

Temple University

(1-7)

Monmouth

(7-1)

Monmouth

Temple

Photo by: Joseph V. Labolito/Temple University

Field Hockey Comes Up Short Against Monmouth, 3-2

9.18.16 | Field Hockey

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

PHILADELPHIA - After coming back to tie the game twice in the second half, Temple field hockey ultimately fell 3-2 on a penalty stroke goal to Monmouth (7-1) on Sunday afternoon at Howarth Field. It was the second one-goal loss in a row for the Owls, who drop to 1-7 overall.

"We don't want to get back IN games, we want to set the tone," said Temple head coach Marybeth Freeman. "So that's something we're continuing to work on. It's hard, being 1-7, and we hoped to better learn from those three top-20 teams we played. But I think we did a good job of making adjustments through this week, it's now just about paying attention to the details.

"I'm not concerned about what other people think about our record or about looking at our schedule as far as what we did or did not do. I care about what this team thinks, and us implementing the things we know to be true to benefit us throughout the season. They're getting their heads around that. It's never fun to lose, but it's really positive for the coaching staff to see the focus on the adjustments that we need to make going forward."

The first half was a stalemate with five saves made by each team to keep the other off the scoreboard. The Owls had five chances on penalty corners and Monmouth had four, but both defenses held strong.

In the second half, the early going was a flurry of activity with goals and penalties on both teams. Just over two minutes into the second period, Julie Laszlo scored on a direct corner to put Monmouth up 1-0.

One minute and five seconds after the Hawks' goal, in the 39th minute, Temple junior Rachael Mueller deflected in a shot by junior Hattie Kuhns on a corner to tie the game for the first time.

Monmouth's Meg Donahue put her team back in the lead in the 42nd minute, driving down alone into the circle and firing from eight yards out.

The Owls were up to the challenge yet again, however, and Kuhns made her next corner attempt count thanks to assists from freshman Maddie Merton and senior Paige Gross.

The 2-2 tie stood for the next 13 minutes of play, with Temple freshman Maddie Lilliock coming up with two big saves in that stretch. With just over 10 minutes left in the game, Monmouth was awarded a penalty stroke, and Donahue converted for what would ultimately be the game-winner.

There were four corners in the remaining time, all Temple's, but the Owls were unable to come up with the equalizer as Christen Piersanti made a pair of saves for the Hawks.

Temple will be back to BIG EAST action for its next game, a 3 p.m. road contest at #5 UConn on Friday, Sept. 23.