Mueller Lifts Field Hockey to Overtime Win at Sacred Heart

Sunday, September 25

New Haven, Conn.

3:30 p.m.

Temple University

(2-8)

Sacred Heart

(0-8)

OT 2

Temple

Sacred Heart

Photo by: Joseph V. Labolito/Temple University

Mueller Lifts Field Hockey to Overtime Win at Sacred Heart

9.25.16 | Field Hockey

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

NEW HAVEN, Conn. - With just under a minute remaining in the first overtime period, junior Rachael Mueller scored the game-winning goal for Temple field hockey in a 3-2 victory at Sacred Heart on Sunday afternoon.

It was the Owls' second overtime contest in their last four games, but this time it ended in Temple's favor thanks to Mueller, who scored two goals including the dagger when she spun around in the circle and found an opening to get the ball past Sacred Heart's Emily Degennaro.

"Obviously to snap a five-game losing streak feels really good," said Temple head coach Marybeth Freeman. "We made things a little more difficult for ourselves than we needed to, but I was really happy to see how that final play developed. Rachael has been doing a really good job in practice, staying diligent and gaining confidence. We had a great passing combination leading into the final goal, and Rachael was able to execute on the reverse as the goalkeeper came out and challenged her."

Also scoring for Temple (2-8) in the win was senior Katie Foran. The Owls were down 1-0 from the eighth minute to the 50th minute, but then scored twice in a seven-minute span.

Sacred Heart's Rebecca Hauser put the Pioneers (0-8) on the board early with a goal on a penalty corner, and the 1-0 lead stood through the next 42 minutes of action.

Temple earned seven penalty corners to Sacred Heart's three in the second half, and two of those paid off. Foran tied the game at 1-1 off a rebound from freshman Kathryn Edgar's shot in the 50th minute, and Mueller scored on a corner off an assist from redshirt junior Sarah Keer in the 57th minute.

"In the second half we just settled down and were able to execute the game plan better," said Freeman. "In the first half it came down to fundamental skills and not finishing on our skill sets and that led to some frustration, but we regrouped and got back into the swing of things."

It looked close to being an Owl victory in regulation, but with just 3:09 remaining, Sacred Heart's Christina Gotthold took advantage of Temple being down two players and tied the game at 2-2.

The Pioneers earned the only corner of overtime, but freshman Maddie Lilliock stopped their only shot on goal. Finally with just 57 seconds left, Mueller's second goal lifted Temple to a much-needed win, its first on the road this season.

Lilliock finished with four saves for the Owls, while Degennaro tallied six for the Pioneers.

Next up, it's back to BIG EAST action for Temple, as the Owls host Georgetown at 6 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 30.

Box Score (PDF)