Temple University Athletics
Temple University
(5-4, 1-1)
Villanova
(6-3, 1-1)
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temple | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Villanova | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
Owls’ Winning Streak Snapped in BIG EAST Loss to Villanova
9.25.26 | Field Hockey
COLLEGEVILLE, Pa. - The Temple University field hockey team's three-game winning streak came to an end Friday afternoon as the Owls fell to Villanova, 4-1, in BIG EAST action at Snell Field Hockey Field at Ursinus College.
With the loss, Temple moves to 5-4 overall and 1-1 in BIG EAST play, while Villanova improves to 6-3 and 1-1 in conference action.
Lotje Aalderink scored Temple's lone goal, her first in Cherry and White, with Lonneke Kerkhof recording the assist. Alex Lepore made seven saves in cage, while Lucia Magro added a defensive save. Villanova held an 18-7 advantage in shots and a 10-5 edge in penalty corners.
Temple returns home Friday, Oct. 2, hosting Delaware at 4 p.m. at Howarth Field.
How It Happened
Villanova struck early, taking a 1-0 lead just 2:08 into the contest. Jane Bresnahan assisted Ava Borkowski on her ninth goal of the season. The Wildcats generated four shots and two penalty corners in the opening quarter while holding Temple without a shot.
The Owls responded with pressure to begin the second quarter. Temple earned three penalty corners in the opening 2:28 of the period, with Magro forcing a save on the first opportunity.
On Temple's third corner, Kerkhof connected with Aalderink, who found the back of the cage at the 17:28 mark to tie the game at 1-1.
TIE GAME!
— Temple Field Hockey (@TempleFH) September 25, 2026
Lonneke Kerkhof feeds Lotje Aalderink for Aalderink's first goal in Cherry and White!#GoOwls pic.twitter.com/QNIWpnwfvk
Villanova answered at 22:30 following a stretch of pressure in the Temple circle. Lepore made consecutive saves on attempts from Gemma Lysaght before Katharina Balks scored off a penalty corner, with Molly Zimmerman and Lysaght earning assists, to put the Wildcats back in front, 2-1.
Temple's defense kept the deficit at one late in the half. Lepore stopped an Ava Borkowski attempt before Magro recorded a defensive save on Aimee Largoza. Lepore added two more saves during the ensuing sequence as Villanova carried a 2-1 advantage into halftime.
Villanova extended its lead less than two minutes into the third quarter. Off a penalty corner, Zimmerman scored at the 31:55 mark with assists from Maeve Boston and Lysaght to make it 3-1.
Temple continued to push in the fourth quarter, generating three shots. Rozlyn Maciejewski put an attempt on goal in the 51st minute, but Villanova goalkeeper Maddi Sears made the save.
The Wildcats closed the scoring at 54:36 when Esmee de Lange scored off an assist from Adie Minnella, extending the advantage to 4-1. Lepore made her seventh save of the afternoon in the final minutes.
Inside the Box Score
- Aalderink's second-quarter tally marked her first goal in Cherry and White.
- Kerkhof recorded her fourth assist of the season and has now registered a point in three of Temple's last four games.
- Lepore made seven saves, giving her 39 through nine games this season.
- Magro recorded a defensive save in the second quarter.
- Four of Temple's seven shots were on goal, with Magro accounting for two.
- Villanova put 12 of its 18 shots on goal, with Lepore making seven saves and Magro adding the defensive stop.
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Players Mentioned
Team Stats
Ava Borkowski (9)
Assisted By: Jane Bresnahan
GOAL by Villanova Ava Borkowski (FIRST GOAL), Assist by Jane Bresnahan, goal number 9 for season.
2:08
Lotje Aalderink
Assisted By: Lonneke Kerkhof
GOAL by Temple Lotje Aalderink, Assist by Lonneke Kerkhof
17:28
Katharina Balks (2)
Assisted By: Molly Zimmerman , Gemma Lysaght
GOAL by Villanova Katharina Balks, Assist by Molly Zimmerman and Gemma Lysaght, goal number 2 for season.
22:30
Molly Zimmerman (7)
Assisted By: Maeve Boston , Gemma Lysaght
GOAL by Villanova Molly Zimmerman, Assist by Maeve Boston and Gemma Lysaght, goal number 7 for season.
31:55
Esmee de Lange (1)
Assisted By: Adie Minnella
GOAL by Villanova Esmee de Lange, Assist by Adie Minnella, goal number 1 for season.
54:36
