Temple Men's Soccer Drop Season Opener to Villanova

Thursday, August 20

Villanova, Pa.

12:00 p.m.

Temple University

0-1-0, 0-0-0

Villanova

1-0-0, 0-0-0

Team	1	2	Final F
Temple	0	0	0
Villanova	0	1	1

Temple Men's Soccer Drop Season Opener to Villanova

8.20.26 | Men's Soccer

Box Score

Villanova, Pa. - Temple men's soccer (0-1-0) fell to Villanova (1-0-0), 1-0, on the road in the 2026 season opener. Carlos Rojas led the Owls in shots with five, while Gavin Atkinson registered five saves. It was both their first game wearing the Cherry and White.

How It Happened

Temple nearly registered a goal three minutes into the game after Rojas put a header towards net, but it was turned aside by the Villanova goalkeeper, Alex Yagudayev.

Atkinson came up huge in the 17th minute by making a save and the rebound would end up sailing over the net to allow the Owls to reset with a goal kick.

Both teams traded chances throughout the remainder of the first half but neither were able to find the back of the net, resulting in a nil-nil score heading into halftime. Villanova was leading in possession with 58% while Temple had 42%.

The scoreless game was broken by Villanova in the 75th minute after Luca Mazzola took a tight angle shot that went far side on Atkinson. That marked one of his four shots for the afternoon.

The Owls picked up their pace and momentum in hopes of finding an equalizer. While they were awarded a few free kicks none were able to find the back of the net. Giving the Wildcats a 1-0 victory.

Temple finished the contest with 15 shots whereas Villanova only had 11. Eight different Owls registered a shot during the 90 minute span. Atkinson, Nore Sumner, Marin Selak, and Aaron Sullivan played every minute of the season opener for Temple. The Owls had five corner kicks, the Wildcats had four. Villanova had three yellow cards while Temple only had one.