Temple University Athletics
Thursday, August 22
Winston-Salem, N.C.
7:00 p.m.
Temple University
at
#23 Wake Forest
Photo by: Kim Rollins
Women’s Soccer Opens 2019 Season at No. 23 Wake Forest Thursday
8.21.19 | Women's Soccer
PHILADELPHIA—Temple women's soccer is ready for greatness in 2019, as the team looks to build on its solid 2018 campaign. Led by head coach Seamus O'Connor, who is in his seventh season at the helm of the Cherry and White, the Owls open their 2019 slate on Thursday, Aug. 22 at No. 23 Wake Forest. Temple will take on the Demon Deacons at 7 p.m. in Winston-Salem, N.C.
The Owls had a strong showing in 2018, notching two historic program wins. On Aug. 31, the team defeated Big Ten foe Maryland 1-0, in its first ever win against a Big Ten opponent and first against the Terrapins since 1993. On Sept. 30, Temple defeated USF for the first time in program history, shutting out the No. 19 Bulls and earning its first victory over a ranked opponent since 1995.
After a two-year hiatus, the team earned a berth to the AAC Tournament. In the preseason poll, the Owls were picked to finish 10th in the AAC, but ultimately secured the No. 6 seed and faced the No. 3 seed UCF in the AAC quarterfinals.
This year's squad, captained by junior Julia Dolan and seniors Morgan Basileo, Emily Keitel and Molly Tobin, has its sights set on consistent, high-level performance and success throughout the regular season and conference tournament. The Owls are making a mentality shift to personify their team motto, #AllAboutUs.
O'Connor described what this saying means to him, his staff and the team. "It's about our preparation and us as a team," he said. "It has nothing to do with our opponent. When we play, we aren't worried about the name of the team on the other jersey. It represents a culture and mentality shift. If we prepare, put in the work and execute, we will be the team that wins. Everything we do works toward success on game day."
This attitude that promotes consistency, character and accountability is instrumental to achieving the Owls' goals for the season. The squad aims to play Temple's brand of soccer in every match, no matter the opponent.
"Our goal is to play our best in every game," said O'Connor. "That's the next level for this team. We are still pretty young, even with 11 seniors on the roster. We need to get the consistency from game-to-game. Consistency over the season will allow us to win."
With the return of strong veterans and the arrival of nine newcomers looking to make an impact, the team is confident going into their tough non-conference and conference schedule. The Cherry and White's leading point scorers from last season, junior Emma Wilkins and sophomore Gabriela Johnson, will look to continue to be formidable offensive weapons for Temple. Wilkins netted six goals and Johnson scored five and also notched two assists. Johnson earned AAC All-Rookie honors for her efforts in 2018.
Dolan and sophomore Natalie Druehl are returning starters in the midfield and the defensive line returns Keitel and junior Marissa DiGenova. Basileo was a mainstay between the posts for the Owls, tallying 98 saves for the squad last season. The defensive squad earned six shutouts last season and is poised to be a threat again this year.
"We know on our day we can beat the best," said O'Connor. "That gives us a lot of confidence. We need to bring that mentality every single game, no matter who the opponent is."
The AAC Tournament has a different format this year, as the No. 3 and No. 4 seeds each will host a quarterfinal game against the No. 6 and No. 5 seeds, respectively. Then, the winner of each quarterfinal match will advance to a semifinal that is hosted at the No. 1 seed.
"With the new conference tournament format this year, we set the goal of if we're not the top two seeds, we want to host a quarterfinal," said O'Connor. "To have that advantage in the conference tournament would be huge. After that, if we can achieve that consistency, our sights are set on winning the conference tournament."
The Owls have evolved their playing style to reflect the skill and high soccer IQ of the team. Fused with their system of accountability, cohesion and consistency, Temple is primed for success in 2019.
"We've talked about being brave," said O'Connor. "We talked about trusting our system and each other as well as being disciplined. The team is so skillful and trusts me enough to take chances and grow as players and a team. If they can combine their intelligence and athletic ability, they will surprise a lot of people this year."
The Owls had a strong showing in 2018, notching two historic program wins. On Aug. 31, the team defeated Big Ten foe Maryland 1-0, in its first ever win against a Big Ten opponent and first against the Terrapins since 1993. On Sept. 30, Temple defeated USF for the first time in program history, shutting out the No. 19 Bulls and earning its first victory over a ranked opponent since 1995.
After a two-year hiatus, the team earned a berth to the AAC Tournament. In the preseason poll, the Owls were picked to finish 10th in the AAC, but ultimately secured the No. 6 seed and faced the No. 3 seed UCF in the AAC quarterfinals.
This year's squad, captained by junior Julia Dolan and seniors Morgan Basileo, Emily Keitel and Molly Tobin, has its sights set on consistent, high-level performance and success throughout the regular season and conference tournament. The Owls are making a mentality shift to personify their team motto, #AllAboutUs.
O'Connor described what this saying means to him, his staff and the team. "It's about our preparation and us as a team," he said. "It has nothing to do with our opponent. When we play, we aren't worried about the name of the team on the other jersey. It represents a culture and mentality shift. If we prepare, put in the work and execute, we will be the team that wins. Everything we do works toward success on game day."
This attitude that promotes consistency, character and accountability is instrumental to achieving the Owls' goals for the season. The squad aims to play Temple's brand of soccer in every match, no matter the opponent.
"Our goal is to play our best in every game," said O'Connor. "That's the next level for this team. We are still pretty young, even with 11 seniors on the roster. We need to get the consistency from game-to-game. Consistency over the season will allow us to win."
With the return of strong veterans and the arrival of nine newcomers looking to make an impact, the team is confident going into their tough non-conference and conference schedule. The Cherry and White's leading point scorers from last season, junior Emma Wilkins and sophomore Gabriela Johnson, will look to continue to be formidable offensive weapons for Temple. Wilkins netted six goals and Johnson scored five and also notched two assists. Johnson earned AAC All-Rookie honors for her efforts in 2018.
Dolan and sophomore Natalie Druehl are returning starters in the midfield and the defensive line returns Keitel and junior Marissa DiGenova. Basileo was a mainstay between the posts for the Owls, tallying 98 saves for the squad last season. The defensive squad earned six shutouts last season and is poised to be a threat again this year.
"We know on our day we can beat the best," said O'Connor. "That gives us a lot of confidence. We need to bring that mentality every single game, no matter who the opponent is."
The AAC Tournament has a different format this year, as the No. 3 and No. 4 seeds each will host a quarterfinal game against the No. 6 and No. 5 seeds, respectively. Then, the winner of each quarterfinal match will advance to a semifinal that is hosted at the No. 1 seed.
"With the new conference tournament format this year, we set the goal of if we're not the top two seeds, we want to host a quarterfinal," said O'Connor. "To have that advantage in the conference tournament would be huge. After that, if we can achieve that consistency, our sights are set on winning the conference tournament."
The Owls have evolved their playing style to reflect the skill and high soccer IQ of the team. Fused with their system of accountability, cohesion and consistency, Temple is primed for success in 2019.
"We've talked about being brave," said O'Connor. "We talked about trusting our system and each other as well as being disciplined. The team is so skillful and trusts me enough to take chances and grow as players and a team. If they can combine their intelligence and athletic ability, they will surprise a lot of people this year."
Players Mentioned
GK
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ Women's Soccer
F
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