Men's Soccer Drops Another Close Decision, Falling 1-0 to Villanova Saturday Afternoon

Saturday, September 7

Villanova, Pa.

1:00 PM

Temple University

0-3-0

Villanova

3-0-0

Temple

Villanova Wildcats

Men's Soccer Drops Another Close Decision, Falling 1-0 to Villanova Saturday Afternoon

9.7.19 | Men's Soccer

Box Score

VILLANOVA, Pa. – The Temple men's soccer team lost a hard-fought, 1-0 battle to the undefeated Villanova Wildcats on Saturday afternoon in Villanova, Pa. The Owls drop to 0-3 against three perennially tough opponents, while the Wildcats extent their win-streak to three to start the season.

How it Happened
> To begin a high intensity first half, the Wildcats produced the first opportunity of the game in the fifth minute off of a corner kick. Sophomore Mickael Borger denied the corner and headed it to safety, but Villanova's Liam Mackinnon collected the clearance and put a shot on frame. Senior goalkeeper Simon Lefebvre passed his first test of the match, stepping off his line to make a solid save.
> The Owls responded just a minute later when freshman Sean Karani displayed his speed to beat two defenders and drop the ball back to fellow freshman Amir Cohen. Cohen fired of the first shot of the game for the Cherry and White, sending a long-range ball soaring over the crossbar.
> Sophomore Jalen Campbell produced one of Temple's best opportunities of the game in the 36th minute when he collected a great through ball from redshirt sophomore Paul Frendach. Campbell turned and fired off a fantastic shot on frame, but Villanova's Carson Williams was there to make the save.
> After a back-and-forth scoreless first half, the Owls came out strong to start the second 45 minutes. Frendach continued to contribute from the center of the field in the 53rd minute, when he battled through the Wildcat defenders to send the ball wide to Campbell. Campbell dropped the ball back to the redshirt sophomore, who fired off a dangerous shot that flew just high of the crossbar.
> Despite generating countless threatening opportunities, Villanova got on the board in the 68th minute. The game-winner came off the boot of Seidu Shamsudeen, who helped the Wildcats extend their win-streak to three with three-straight shutouts.
> Lefebvre was phenomenal in net for the Owls, posting five saves between the posts in an action-filled game on both ends of the field. The back line of Pierre Cayet, Brandon Johnson, Mickael Borger and Esteban Suarez also showed many glimpses of greatness, working well as a unit to deny a contingent of skillful Villanova players.

Game Notes
> Frendach and Johnson both notched their first starts in Cherry and White, with Frendach seeing action in the midfield and Johnson at defense.
> The Owls did not go down without a fight, firing off 16 shots to Villanova's 11. Temple also led the match in saves (5-4) and corner kicks (5-4).
> While the squad struggled to connect at times in the final third, Temple showed fantastic possession and was able to produce threatening chances on frame.

Up Next
> The Owls will be back in action on Friday, Sept. 13 when they host Lafayette at the Temple Sports Complex. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.