Owls Score First Goal of the Season in Hard-Fought Draw

Friday, August 28

Philadelphia, Pa.

6:00 p.m.

Temple University

0-2-1, 0-0-0

Saint Joseph's

1-0-1, 0-0-0

Team	1	2	Final F
Saint Joseph's	1	0	1
Temple	0	1	1

Owls Score First Goal of the Season in Hard-Fought Draw

8.28.26 | Men's Soccer

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA – Temple men's soccer (0-2-1) found a late equalizer to earn a draw with Saint Joseph's (1-0-1), 1-1, in the their home opener on Friday night at the Temple Sports Complex.

Game Highlights

Pressure

For the second time this season, the Owls have registered five shots on goal.

Player to Watch

Carlos Rojas, one goal and two shots.

Momentum

The Owls will look to build off of this tie and carry it with them, as they will be on the road for the next three games. They will face St. Peter's (Sept. 1), Navy (Sept. 5), and conclude with their first conference opponent, Tulsa (Sept. 11).

How It Happened

Mark Mazzoni capitalized on an Owls turnover, leading to him scoring the opening goal in the ninth minute. The Owls had four shots in the opening half but were unable to find the back of the net. Giving Saint Joseph's a 1-0 lead after the first 45 minutes of play.

Most of the second half was controlled by Temple as they kept putting the ball into the box in hopes of finding an equalizer. The Owls pressure and patience finally paid off as Lukas Stefaner sent a ball into the box where Carlos Rojas was waiting in the 87th minute. Rojas used his height to his advantage and was able to make perfect contact with the ball to head it past goalkeeper, Alex Smith. Marking the first Owls goal of the 2026 season.

With very little time remaining in the game, neither team could find another goal, resulting in a 1-1 tie.