Temple University Athletics
Photo by: Robin Hsiao
Lacrosse Looks to Build on Success In 2022
2.10.22 | Women's Lacrosse
PHILADELPHIA – With the 2022 lacrosse season is upon us, the Temple lacrosse team is set for an exciting campaign. Last season, the Owls had a banner year, going 13-6 and advancing to the second round of the NCAA tournament. The team will return over half of its 2021 starting lineup, with eight newcomers ready for their first season representing the Cherry and White.
Veterans Lead the Owls
Temple returns several of last season's top contributors. Five of the Owls' top nine-point scorers return to take the field for the Cherry and White. Because of this, 22 players on the Temple roster have at least four games of NCAA experience. Belle Mastropietro, Gabrielle Kirsch, Kessina Heyn, and Quinn Nicolai have been elected captains for the 2022 season.
"Leadership is a big part of how we go about things," Rosen said. "We've got a really good diverse set of views on the field in terms of leadership which allows us to have designated leadership out of the attack, the midfield, and defensive end naturally within our captain roles."
Mastropietro returns to Howarth Field for her third season after establishing herself as one of the elite players in the American Athletic Conference. Last season the midfielder scored 43 goals and put up 55 points. Mastropietro was a First-Team All-Conference selection last season and was named the AAC Preseason Midfielder of the Year. She leads all returning players in the American in both goals and goals per game.
Temple had three players earn Preseason All-Conference honors, with Mastropietro, Mackenzie Roth, and Katie Shallow being tabbed.
Attack
Abaigeal Ryan and Julie Schickling lead an attack group that features a mix of returners and fresh talent. Ryan started eight games last season and finished fifth on the team in goals with 16, she scored her first career hat trick in a 16-14 win over Cincinnati. Schickling caught fire towards the end of last season, scoring in her last six games including a hat trick in a critical win at Vanderbilt.
Sophomore Katie Flynn can use her speed to break defensive zones, she was used in spurts last season as a change of pace player. Amelia Wright and Olivia Murphy join the Owls as freshmen. Both were offensive superstars in high school. Wright was named Second-Team All-Georgia and state Offensive MVP as a senior. Murphy was a five-time NXT All-Star and racked up 31 goals her sophomore season.
"Early on in the season we are going to be trying to figure out our different chemistries and see what different people can do," Rosen said. "As we get more experience as a team we can mold our attack to who we are playing against. We have a variety of dodgers, cutters, and feeders. We have speed and quickness, we have a lot of different ways to adjust against the different defenses we might come up against."
Another thing to watch this season is the return of Riley McGowan. McGowan made a large impact as a freshman with the Owls but missed all of 2021 with an injury. The team is excited about her return to the field this season. Rosen said of McGowan's return, "it's always a thrill to see someone return from injury. To see them overcome that hurdle and get back on the field, and when they're playing well it's even more exciting. We get better with everyone who returns, and it's really wonderful to have Riley back in the mix."
Midfield
The midfield looks to be one of the deepest groups on the Owls this season. Mastropietro, Roth, Kirsch, Lauren Zinkl, and Charessa Crosse all return to the field after scoring multiple goals last season, with two of the top four goal scorers from last season in this group.
Roth was one of the elite passers in the American last season. Her 23 assists placed her fifth in the conference and she earned multiple weekly awards for her efforts. Kirsch will play a large leadership role both on and off the field after playing in every game last season. Despite not starting last year, Zinkl was an offensive super-sub who found her stride late in the year. She scored her first career hat-trick in the second round of the NCAA tournament against Boston College.
Maddie Barber, Taylor Moncman, and Margot Hotham return as defensive midfielders. Barber started 18 out of 19 games as a freshman and finished third on the team with 35 ground ball pickups and sixth on the team with 14 caused turnovers. Taylor Moncman saw the field in all 19 games and started the last 14, she picked up 18 ground balls and caused seven turnovers. Margot Hotham made an impact late in the season, appearing in nine games including all four postseason matches.
Maeve Tobin has appeared in 13 career games and is a versatile player that can add an offensive spark. Charessa Crosse will look to build on a strong finish to last year, she exploded onto the scene in the AAC Tournament last year, she scored three goals in the semifinal win against Vanderbilt, and was named to the All-Tournament team. Camryn Zavacky made an impact in the draw circle and the offensive side of the field last season. Sophomore Mia Ciancio only scratched the surface of her potential last season, while Hannah Schrader could be a game-changing scorer this year after showing flashes of brilliance last season.
Graduate transfer Nicolai returns home to the Philly metro area after spending the last four seasons at Penn State. She started multiple games in every season with the Nittany Lions and was named to the 2021 Big Ten All-Tournament Team. Freshman Kiley Russell brings an impressive pedigree to the Owls, having played for powerhouse C2 Select Maryland and being invited to the Under Armor 150 showcase in high school. Erin King also promises to be a player to watch. She was named First-Team All-State and US Lacrosse All-American in high school where she led Kell High School to a Georgia state title.
"I think one of our strengths will be the ability to adjust and adapt throughout the year," Rosen said. "We'll anchor ourselves however we need to, whether that means keeping people on the field for a long time, getting rest and new legs in, adapting to different offenses and defenses. I don't think you'll see the same style of play from us this year. I think it'll continue to evolve and having the depth in the midfield gives that flexibility."
Defense
The defense is far and away the most experienced group on the roster this season.
Heyn started all but one game in her Temple career. She has regularly been given tough assignments in her career and has risen to the occasion. Shallow started all 19 games as a freshman consistently made an impact. She finished fourth on the team in ground balls (31), her best game came when it mattered most in AAC semifinals, she caused six turnovers against Vanderbilt and was named to the AAC All-Tournament team for her efforts. Suzanna Cantwell joins the Owls after spending the last three years at Hartford. Cantwell was a captain for Hawks as a junior where she led the team in both ground balls and caused turnovers. Valarie Cradler was an impact sub on defense for Temple the last two seasons, her lateral quickness makes her a challenge for opposing offenses to solve.
"We were really fortunate to return a good core of our defensive unit," Rosen said. "They are smarter, determined, athletic, and absolutely committed to being the best unit they can be. I am really excited to see what that defensive unit can become throughout this year. I think they could be one of the best in the country."
In The Net
This season sees the return of Shana Hecht, who started all 19 games last season. Hecht had some brilliant games in 2021, including back-to-back masterpieces against Towson (10 saves) and Saint Joseph's (11 saves). She was awarded AAC Defender of the Week for those performances.
The Owls also add UConn graduate transfer, Annie Carroll, to the rotation. Carroll played all three seasons with the Huskies and started three games in 2019. The Cherry and White also added freshman Taylor Grollman this season. Grollman was an outstanding high school goalie and brings a different type of athleticism to the position.
"We are blessed to have a trio of goalies," Rosen said "We may need each of them in different roles throughout the season. Goalkeeping is a very demanding position. Shana had a fantastic year last season and we are excited to have her back to continue that path. Having Annie come in as a veteran give us another really experienced goalkeeper who really understands the role of not just playing in the goal, but also being a leader on the field as well. And Taylor brings us that youth and hunger for knowledge and athleticism, she is ready to step in and do what the team needs. We are in great hands with the three of them at that position."
Coaching Staff Shakeup
In the offseason, assistant coach Stephany Parcell Gobrecht stepped away from the lacrosse program to focus on her family. In her place, the team added former Villanova star, Liz Trojan, to the coaching staff. Trojan was named First-Team All-BIG EAST in 2019 from her attacking spot and was a team captain in 2020.
Rosen said of the coaching changes, "it's been really exciting to have Liz on. As a recent player now on the other side, she brings a great player's perspective to the staff and she's really able to relate well to the players, both in what they're going through and who they are. She is happy, energetic, and learning every day. Liz is a great up-and-coming young coach and I'm really excited to have her on our side.
She replaces Steph who is growing a new family and we certainly miss her. She was an amazing player here back in the day and was such a key person in the growth of our game in recent years. We have definitely would not have been as successful last season without her and continue to wish her all the best."
Return to Normal
This season will see Temple lacrosse play a standard schedule after playing a schedule that was modified due to the Covid-19 pandemic last season. The team will play eight home games and eight road games. Eleven fixtures will be out of conference opponents, while the Owls will face all five American Athletic Conference foes at the end of the slate. Four opponents on the docket are ranked in the IWLCA/Inside Lacrosse preseason top 25 in No. 15 Princeton, No. 17 Rutgers, No. 3 Syracuse, and No. 7 Florida.
A New Start in 2022
Last season saw Temple lacrosse return to the NCAA tournament for the first time in 13 years and advance to the second round for the first time since 1998. The team is excited to return to the field and build on the heights of last season.
"Our biggest focus will be to take games one at a time and getting better after each one. We have to learn how to play the game on the field each day, we are still a relatively young team in terms of the full experience of handling gamedays. I expect if we get better between each game we could have a really successful year."
The season begins on Feb. 12 as Temple hosts Army at Howarth Field. Game time is set for 1 p.m.
Veterans Lead the Owls
Temple returns several of last season's top contributors. Five of the Owls' top nine-point scorers return to take the field for the Cherry and White. Because of this, 22 players on the Temple roster have at least four games of NCAA experience. Belle Mastropietro, Gabrielle Kirsch, Kessina Heyn, and Quinn Nicolai have been elected captains for the 2022 season.
"Leadership is a big part of how we go about things," Rosen said. "We've got a really good diverse set of views on the field in terms of leadership which allows us to have designated leadership out of the attack, the midfield, and defensive end naturally within our captain roles."
Mastropietro returns to Howarth Field for her third season after establishing herself as one of the elite players in the American Athletic Conference. Last season the midfielder scored 43 goals and put up 55 points. Mastropietro was a First-Team All-Conference selection last season and was named the AAC Preseason Midfielder of the Year. She leads all returning players in the American in both goals and goals per game.
Temple had three players earn Preseason All-Conference honors, with Mastropietro, Mackenzie Roth, and Katie Shallow being tabbed.
Attack
Abaigeal Ryan and Julie Schickling lead an attack group that features a mix of returners and fresh talent. Ryan started eight games last season and finished fifth on the team in goals with 16, she scored her first career hat trick in a 16-14 win over Cincinnati. Schickling caught fire towards the end of last season, scoring in her last six games including a hat trick in a critical win at Vanderbilt.
Sophomore Katie Flynn can use her speed to break defensive zones, she was used in spurts last season as a change of pace player. Amelia Wright and Olivia Murphy join the Owls as freshmen. Both were offensive superstars in high school. Wright was named Second-Team All-Georgia and state Offensive MVP as a senior. Murphy was a five-time NXT All-Star and racked up 31 goals her sophomore season.
"Early on in the season we are going to be trying to figure out our different chemistries and see what different people can do," Rosen said. "As we get more experience as a team we can mold our attack to who we are playing against. We have a variety of dodgers, cutters, and feeders. We have speed and quickness, we have a lot of different ways to adjust against the different defenses we might come up against."
Another thing to watch this season is the return of Riley McGowan. McGowan made a large impact as a freshman with the Owls but missed all of 2021 with an injury. The team is excited about her return to the field this season. Rosen said of McGowan's return, "it's always a thrill to see someone return from injury. To see them overcome that hurdle and get back on the field, and when they're playing well it's even more exciting. We get better with everyone who returns, and it's really wonderful to have Riley back in the mix."
Midfield
The midfield looks to be one of the deepest groups on the Owls this season. Mastropietro, Roth, Kirsch, Lauren Zinkl, and Charessa Crosse all return to the field after scoring multiple goals last season, with two of the top four goal scorers from last season in this group.
Roth was one of the elite passers in the American last season. Her 23 assists placed her fifth in the conference and she earned multiple weekly awards for her efforts. Kirsch will play a large leadership role both on and off the field after playing in every game last season. Despite not starting last year, Zinkl was an offensive super-sub who found her stride late in the year. She scored her first career hat-trick in the second round of the NCAA tournament against Boston College.
Maddie Barber, Taylor Moncman, and Margot Hotham return as defensive midfielders. Barber started 18 out of 19 games as a freshman and finished third on the team with 35 ground ball pickups and sixth on the team with 14 caused turnovers. Taylor Moncman saw the field in all 19 games and started the last 14, she picked up 18 ground balls and caused seven turnovers. Margot Hotham made an impact late in the season, appearing in nine games including all four postseason matches.
Maeve Tobin has appeared in 13 career games and is a versatile player that can add an offensive spark. Charessa Crosse will look to build on a strong finish to last year, she exploded onto the scene in the AAC Tournament last year, she scored three goals in the semifinal win against Vanderbilt, and was named to the All-Tournament team. Camryn Zavacky made an impact in the draw circle and the offensive side of the field last season. Sophomore Mia Ciancio only scratched the surface of her potential last season, while Hannah Schrader could be a game-changing scorer this year after showing flashes of brilliance last season.
Graduate transfer Nicolai returns home to the Philly metro area after spending the last four seasons at Penn State. She started multiple games in every season with the Nittany Lions and was named to the 2021 Big Ten All-Tournament Team. Freshman Kiley Russell brings an impressive pedigree to the Owls, having played for powerhouse C2 Select Maryland and being invited to the Under Armor 150 showcase in high school. Erin King also promises to be a player to watch. She was named First-Team All-State and US Lacrosse All-American in high school where she led Kell High School to a Georgia state title.
"I think one of our strengths will be the ability to adjust and adapt throughout the year," Rosen said. "We'll anchor ourselves however we need to, whether that means keeping people on the field for a long time, getting rest and new legs in, adapting to different offenses and defenses. I don't think you'll see the same style of play from us this year. I think it'll continue to evolve and having the depth in the midfield gives that flexibility."
Defense
The defense is far and away the most experienced group on the roster this season.
Heyn started all but one game in her Temple career. She has regularly been given tough assignments in her career and has risen to the occasion. Shallow started all 19 games as a freshman consistently made an impact. She finished fourth on the team in ground balls (31), her best game came when it mattered most in AAC semifinals, she caused six turnovers against Vanderbilt and was named to the AAC All-Tournament team for her efforts. Suzanna Cantwell joins the Owls after spending the last three years at Hartford. Cantwell was a captain for Hawks as a junior where she led the team in both ground balls and caused turnovers. Valarie Cradler was an impact sub on defense for Temple the last two seasons, her lateral quickness makes her a challenge for opposing offenses to solve.
"We were really fortunate to return a good core of our defensive unit," Rosen said. "They are smarter, determined, athletic, and absolutely committed to being the best unit they can be. I am really excited to see what that defensive unit can become throughout this year. I think they could be one of the best in the country."
In The Net
This season sees the return of Shana Hecht, who started all 19 games last season. Hecht had some brilliant games in 2021, including back-to-back masterpieces against Towson (10 saves) and Saint Joseph's (11 saves). She was awarded AAC Defender of the Week for those performances.
The Owls also add UConn graduate transfer, Annie Carroll, to the rotation. Carroll played all three seasons with the Huskies and started three games in 2019. The Cherry and White also added freshman Taylor Grollman this season. Grollman was an outstanding high school goalie and brings a different type of athleticism to the position.
"We are blessed to have a trio of goalies," Rosen said "We may need each of them in different roles throughout the season. Goalkeeping is a very demanding position. Shana had a fantastic year last season and we are excited to have her back to continue that path. Having Annie come in as a veteran give us another really experienced goalkeeper who really understands the role of not just playing in the goal, but also being a leader on the field as well. And Taylor brings us that youth and hunger for knowledge and athleticism, she is ready to step in and do what the team needs. We are in great hands with the three of them at that position."
Coaching Staff Shakeup
In the offseason, assistant coach Stephany Parcell Gobrecht stepped away from the lacrosse program to focus on her family. In her place, the team added former Villanova star, Liz Trojan, to the coaching staff. Trojan was named First-Team All-BIG EAST in 2019 from her attacking spot and was a team captain in 2020.
Rosen said of the coaching changes, "it's been really exciting to have Liz on. As a recent player now on the other side, she brings a great player's perspective to the staff and she's really able to relate well to the players, both in what they're going through and who they are. She is happy, energetic, and learning every day. Liz is a great up-and-coming young coach and I'm really excited to have her on our side.
She replaces Steph who is growing a new family and we certainly miss her. She was an amazing player here back in the day and was such a key person in the growth of our game in recent years. We have definitely would not have been as successful last season without her and continue to wish her all the best."
Return to Normal
This season will see Temple lacrosse play a standard schedule after playing a schedule that was modified due to the Covid-19 pandemic last season. The team will play eight home games and eight road games. Eleven fixtures will be out of conference opponents, while the Owls will face all five American Athletic Conference foes at the end of the slate. Four opponents on the docket are ranked in the IWLCA/Inside Lacrosse preseason top 25 in No. 15 Princeton, No. 17 Rutgers, No. 3 Syracuse, and No. 7 Florida.
A New Start in 2022
Last season saw Temple lacrosse return to the NCAA tournament for the first time in 13 years and advance to the second round for the first time since 1998. The team is excited to return to the field and build on the heights of last season.
"Our biggest focus will be to take games one at a time and getting better after each one. We have to learn how to play the game on the field each day, we are still a relatively young team in terms of the full experience of handling gamedays. I expect if we get better between each game we could have a really successful year."
The season begins on Feb. 12 as Temple hosts Army at Howarth Field. Game time is set for 1 p.m.
Players Mentioned
M
/ Women's Lacrosse
D
/ Women's Lacrosse
GK
/ Women's Lacrosse
M
/ Women's Lacrosse
M
/ Women's Lacrosse
A
/ Women's Lacrosse
GK
/ Women's Lacrosse
GK
/ Women's Lacrosse
D
/ Women's Lacrosse
M
/ Women's Lacrosse
M
/ Women's Lacrosse
M
/ Women's Lacrosse
A
/ Women's Lacrosse
M
/ Women's Lacrosse
A
/ Women's Lacrosse
M
/ Women's Lacrosse
M
/ Women's Lacrosse
M
/ Women's Lacrosse
A
/ Women's Lacrosse
A
/ Women's Lacrosse
M
/ Women's Lacrosse
D
/ Women's Lacrosse
M
/ Women's Lacrosse
A
/ Women's Lacrosse
M
/ Women's Lacrosse
M
/ Women's LacrosseEp. 7: Temple Field Hockey Alumna Cherifa Howarth
Friday, September 26
Ep. 6: Temple Athletics Weekly Recap; Field Hockey's Peyton Rieger
Tuesday, September 23
Temple Men's Basketball | Mic'd Up at Temple Women's Volleyball Game
Friday, September 19
Ep. 5: Head Men's Golf Coach Brian Quinn
Friday, September 19
