Owls Return to Howarth Field to Face Villanova, Richmond

PHILADELPHIA – Riding a five-game winning streak, the Temple University field hockey team returns home to Howarth Field to face Villanova and Richmond this weekend in North Philadelphia.

The Owls (7-1) host Villanova (1-6) on Friday at 1 p.m. before stepping out of conference to face Richmond (4-3) on Sunday at noon.

Game 9 | vs. Villanova (1-6)
Friday, Sept. 26 – 1 p.m.
Location: Howarth Field – Philadelphia
TV: ESPN+ | Live Stats: StatBroadcast | International Stream
GIVEAWAY: The first 100 students will receive a voucher for a "Everyone Watches Women's Sports" T-shirt which can be redeemed at halftime.

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Game 10 | vs. Richmond (4-3)
Sunday, Sept. 28 – 12 p.m.
Location: Howarth Field – Philadelphia
TV: ESPN+ | Live Stats: StatBroadcast | International Stream

Social Media
Twitter/X: @TempleFH | Instagram: @templefieldhockey

Scouting Temple

Temple extended its winning streak to five last week with victories over Drexel (2-0) and Georgetown (2-1). Peyton Rieger tallied three of Temple's four goals, including both against the Dragons and the equalizer against the Hoyas. Rieger became the first Owl to score in four consecutive games since Alyssa Delp, an NFHCA All-America Third Team honoree, scored in five straight contests to close the 2015 season. In 2014, NFHCA First Team All-American Alyssa Youtz tallied 16 goals across an eight-game span.

Goalkeeper Alex Lepore has continued her strong play, ranking 20th nationally in goals-against average (1.34) and 21st in save percentage. She posted a season-high eight saves in the win over Georgetown, matching her career high set last season against Virginia. She has allowed just one goal across her past four appearances and 225 minutes in the cage.

Temple improved to 7-1 for the second time under head coach Michelle Vittese, having also done so in 2022. Before that, the Owls last opened 7-1 in 1984, when they rattled off 10 straight wins after a season-opening loss to Northwestern. Vittese became the sixth coach in program history to reach 50 wins with the Drexel victory, achieving the milestone faster than any Temple head coach since 1992.

The Owls are seeking their 15th consecutive home regular-season win against Villanova on Friday. Temple has not lost a home regular-season contest since Sept. 29, 2023, closing that year with three straight wins, going 9-0 in 2024, and starting 2025 with a 2-0 mark. The Owls currently rank fourth nationally in active home regular-season winning streaks, behind Northwestern, North Carolina and UMass.

NCAA Division I Home Regular-Season Winning Streaks (as of Sept. 25, 2025)

1.Northwestern – 22
T2. UMass – 16
T2. North Carolina – 16
3.Temple – 14
4. Fairfield – 9
T6. Monmouth – 8
T6. Miami (OH) – 8
8. Liberty – 7
T9. Virginia – 6
T9. App State – 6

BIG EAST Award Sweep
After an undefeated week, the BIG EAST announced that Temple swept its weekly awards. Rieger earned Offensive Player of the Week for the second straight week, Lepore was named Defensive Player of the Week, and freshman Lucia Magro was tabbed Freshman of the Week for the second time this season. It marks the first time Temple has collected all three weekly awards since 2014.

Scouting Villanova

The Wildcats enter Friday with a 1-6 record, their lone win a 3-0 shutout over La Salle on Sept. 12. Villanova is on a three-game skid, falling to UConn (2-1) and No. 1 Northwestern (5-0) last weekend. They carry the 23rd toughest schedule in the country.

Ava Borkowski and Colleen Finnan lead the offense, each scoring multiple goals this season.

In goal, Maddi Sears and Sophie Volkel have split time, with Volkel taking over primary duties in recent weeks. She ranks fourth in the BIG EAST in saves per game (3.67) and seventh in save percentage (.688).

All-Time Series vs. Villanova
Temple leads the series 18-9, but Villanova claimed a 3-0 victory in last season's meeting in Conshohocken. The Owls have won six of the past nine matchups since 2019.

Scouting Richmond

The Spiders (4-3) visit Philadelphia after a Friday match at La Salle. After a 1-3 start, Richmond has reeled off three straight wins against Georgetown (2-1), Old Dominion (2-1) and Lock Haven (8-0).

Clara Larripa (4G, 4A), Amy Stripling (4G, 1A) and Lainey Nichols (3G) pace the offense, combining for more than half of the team's 53 points.

Goalkeeper Amanda Cillo has started all seven contests, posting a 1.73 goals-against average and a .636 save percentage.

All-Time Series vs. Richmond
Richmond leads the all-time series 20-3, including a 3-2 overtime victory at home last season. However, Temple has won the past three meetings in Philadelphia.

The former conference rivals meet in Philadelphia for the first time since 2013, when Temple earned a 3-2 overtime win at Geasey Field. All three of Temple's series wins have come at home: 2013 (3-2 OT), 2011 (2-1) and 2009 (4-2).