Rachael Mueller Leads Field Hockey in 3-1 Win at Holy Cross

Sunday, September 17

Worcester, Mass.

12:00 p.m.

Temple University

(2-5, 0-1Big East)

Holy Cross

(3-4, 1-0Patriot)

Temple

Holy Cross

Photo by: Joseph V. Labolito/Temple University

Rachael Mueller Leads Field Hockey in 3-1 Win at Holy Cross

9.17.17 | Field Hockey

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

WORCESTER, Mass. - Senior Rachael Mueller scored twice in a three-goal second half for Temple field hockey as the Owls (2-5) came from behind to defeat Holy Cross, 3-1 on Sunday afternoon. The Crusaders (3-4) held a 1-0 lead at halftime, but the Owls' junior goalkeeper Chloe Johnson kept Holy Cross scoreless in the second period.

Keys to the Game
> The Owls were on the defensive early, as Holy Cross got the seventh season goal from Maureen Connolly just over six minutes into the game.

> Temple had limited chances in the first period, getting its best chance in the final minute on a shot by senior Maiyah Brown that was saved by Holy Cross's Marcia LaPlante.

> Less than five minutes into the second half, Mueller got Temple on the board after collecting the ball on a rebounded shot and save.

> In the 60th minute, redshirt junior Maris Stern got her second assist of the season when Mueller deflected in a pass to give Temple the go-ahead goal.

> Sophomore Kathryn Edgar tipped in a pass from redshirt senior Sarah Keer for a 3-1 lead in the 64th minute.

Game Notes
> Johnson made her first career start in the cage, and finished with a career-high eight saves while allowing just a single goal.

> Mueller now has four goals this season to lead Temple, along with four assists for a team-best 12 points.

> Temple is now 2-0 all-time against Holy Cross after defeating the Crusaders in back-to-back seasons.

Quotable
> "We talked before the game about the need to play together not only within our lines but across our lines," said Temple head coach Marybeth Freeman, "and about moving the ball a bit more through the midfield. Our attack did a great job getting quality receptions, shots, deflections and earning corners. All around, it was a good team attacking effort and I was happy to see us capitalize on our opportunities."

> "Rachael did a great job," said Freeman. "To date, this is the most well put together she has played, from her communication, to her leadership, to her execution. This game was a real turning point for Rachael. She exhibited a lot of the things she's been working on this season."

> "Chloe has been working hard on a daily basis," said Freeman about Johnson's starting role today. "We talk about providing the opportunity to earn the right, and she put herself in position to earn it. She made some big saves and there were some 1 v 1's she had to save that she did a really good job with. It's a difficult role to step into and she handled it with grace."

Next Up
> After five straight road games, Temple finally returns home to face #1 UConn in its BIG EAST home opener on Friday, Sept. 22 at 6 p.m.

> The theme next weekend is "Sock it to Cancer," as the Owls dedicate Friday's game to ovarian cancer awareness, and Sunday's game to the Go4TheGoal Foundation whose mission is to aid in the fight against pediatric cancer.