Gutowski Brace Propels Women's Soccer to 2-0 Victory over Houston

Sunday, October 13

Philadelphia, Pa.

1:00 p.m.

Temple University

4-8-3

Houston

3-11

Houston

Temple

Photo by: Zamani Feelings

Gutowski Brace Propels Women's Soccer to 2-0 Victory over Houston

10.13.19 | Women's Soccer

Box Score Post-Game Interview: Coach O'Connor Highlights

PHILADELPHIA – The Temple women's soccer team (4-8-3, 2-4 AAC) picked up a critical conference win on Sunday afternoon, downing Houston (3-11, 0-4 AAC), 2-0. The victory was backed by a second-half brace by sophomore Hailey Gutowski with assists from fellow sophomore Gabriela Johnson and senior Morgan Morocco.

How it Happened
> Houston came out the gate strong firing off their first shot of the game just 1:18 into play. The Cougars produced the first real chance on the afternoon in the 15th minute when they forced senior goalkeeper Morgan Basileo into action. Houston's Hayley Hubbard fired on goal from point-blank range to test Basileo, but the senior extended to her right hand to tip the ball to safety.
> At the end of the first 45 minutes of play, the team entered the locker rooms with Houston leading in shots 5-3 and shots on goal 2-0. Temple owned a 7-3 advantage in corners
> The Owls did not waste any time once they took the field for the second half. In the 50th minute, Gutowski sent a threatening cross that just missed the head of Morocco. Marissa DiGenova collected it and found Morocco, whose shot was deflected out by the Houston defense.
> The Cherry and White kept the pressure on the Cougars, sending in dangerous crosses and making runs to cut through their defense. Temple broke through in the 71st minute when Gutowski tallied her first score of the afternoon off Johnson's assist.
> Seven minutes later, Gutowski put another tally on the scoresheet to give the Owls a 2-0 advantage. She completed her brace when Morocco beat the Houston keeper and found Gutowski well-positioned in the box to knock it in.

Game Notes
> Gutowski earned her first collegiate brace against the Cougars. The sophomore now leads the squad in offensive production with 10 points (4g, 2a).
> Johnson increased her season total to nine (3g, 3a) with her assist to Gutowski's first goal. Morocco's dish to set up Gutowski's second score gives her two assists on the year.
> Basileo surpassed the century mark this afternoon, as her four saves pushed her season total to 101. The senior is the 12th goalkeeper in Temple history to record 100 saves in a season. Her efforts, along with the outstanding performance by the back line of Arryana Daniels, Bella Sorrentino and Emily Keitel, earned the team its third shutout of the season.

From the Coach
> "This win is huge for the team," said head coach Seamus O'Connor. "It's conference play, so we always know we are going to face a tough opponent. Going into today, we knew it was going to be a battle. It was a battle of wills. Our three attackers were able to come up with some quality opportunities in the second half and that proved to be the difference. Everyone that was out there was exceptional today. They gave everything they had. "

Up Next
> The Owls are set for a two-game conference road trip to Florida that will begin at No. 23 UCF on Thursday, Oct. 17. Kickoff for the AAC battle is set for 6 p.m.