Temple University Athletics
Friday, August 31
Richmond, Va.
7:00 P.M.
Temple University
0-2-0
0
at
1
VCU
2-1-0
1
2
F
Temple
0
0
0
VCU
1
0
1
Men's Soccer Falls at VCU Despite Dominant Second Half
9.1.18 | Men's Soccer
RICHMOND, Va. – A converted penalty kick in the 42nd minute decided the result tonight, causing the Temple men's soccer team (0-2-0) to fall to the VCU Rams (2-1-0). The Owls put together a very strong second half against the talented opponent, but the Rams were able to hold for the victory.
Keys to the Game
> The Owls showed great strides this match, despite the end result. In the second half, Temple controlled possession and maintained a strong attacking presence, but the Rams' defense thwarted multiple opportunities by the Temple offense.
> VCU made a statement early in the match when they rocketed its first shot of the game only 30 seconds in which was blocked by the talented Temple defense.
> The lone goal of the match came in the 42nd minute when VCU's Siad Haji converted a penalty kick for his first goal of the season.
Match Notes
> Junior goalkeeper Simon Lefebvre wrapped up another 90 minute sheet in net for the Owls, tallying one save on the evening.
> Temple applied ample pressure on the Rams throughout the match, outshooting the hosts, 13-8, and edging them in corner kicks, 5-1.
> Senior captain Hermann Doerner led the Owls in shots with four.
From the Coach
> "We played exactly like what we are trying to become," head coach Brian Rowland explained. "There will always be more to learn, but the improvement we showed from the UMBC game to today is exponential."
> Rowland spoke on the dominant performance the squad put on to battle the physicality and skills the Rams possessed. "We came out in the second half and took control of the game. The players responded fantastically and are still learning, but the growth from the first half to the second shows how we have progressed. Pieces are certainly coming together, and the tough competition that we face will ultimately make us a better team. We took forward steps this game, and I look forward to building from it."
Up Next
The Owls will continue their four-game road stint as they take on No. 25 Old Dominion on Sunday, September 2 at 6:00 pm.
Keys to the Game
> The Owls showed great strides this match, despite the end result. In the second half, Temple controlled possession and maintained a strong attacking presence, but the Rams' defense thwarted multiple opportunities by the Temple offense.
> VCU made a statement early in the match when they rocketed its first shot of the game only 30 seconds in which was blocked by the talented Temple defense.
> The lone goal of the match came in the 42nd minute when VCU's Siad Haji converted a penalty kick for his first goal of the season.
Match Notes
> Junior goalkeeper Simon Lefebvre wrapped up another 90 minute sheet in net for the Owls, tallying one save on the evening.
> Temple applied ample pressure on the Rams throughout the match, outshooting the hosts, 13-8, and edging them in corner kicks, 5-1.
> Senior captain Hermann Doerner led the Owls in shots with four.
From the Coach
> "We played exactly like what we are trying to become," head coach Brian Rowland explained. "There will always be more to learn, but the improvement we showed from the UMBC game to today is exponential."
> Rowland spoke on the dominant performance the squad put on to battle the physicality and skills the Rams possessed. "We came out in the second half and took control of the game. The players responded fantastically and are still learning, but the growth from the first half to the second shows how we have progressed. Pieces are certainly coming together, and the tough competition that we face will ultimately make us a better team. We took forward steps this game, and I look forward to building from it."
Up Next
The Owls will continue their four-game road stint as they take on No. 25 Old Dominion on Sunday, September 2 at 6:00 pm.
Team Stats
TEM
VCU
Goals
0
1
Shots
13
8
Shots on Goal
2
2
Saves
1
2
Corners
5
1
Fouls
16
11
Scoring Plays
HAJI, Siad (1)
VCU HAJI, Siad PENALTY KICK GOAL, goal number 1 for season.
41:53
Game Leaders
Shots
4
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
M
/ Men's Soccer
GK
/ Men's SoccerEp. 9: Head Women's Soccer Coach Chris Shaw
Friday, October 03
Ep. 8: Temple Athletics Weekly Recap; Women's Cross Country Runner Amelia Sabatino
Tuesday, September 30
Ep. 7: Temple Field Hockey Alumna Cherifa Howarth
Friday, September 26
Ep. 6: Temple Athletics Weekly Recap; Field Hockey's Peyton Rieger
Tuesday, September 23
