Owls rue missed opportunities in 2-1 loss to Memphis

Written by: Owen Boyle

Photo by: Matt Ralph

A Luke Kelly goal with two minutes left in overtime sent the Tigers into a frenzy on the pitch. Temple players fell to the turf in disbelief and frustration as they dropped all three points in a game that they dominated.

“These are dropped points,” said coach Brian Rowland. “We had no business not getting three points, let alone, giving away all three points.”

Temple was originally scheduled to play Memphis on the 20th, but that game was postponed due to inclement weather. Thus, the game was moved from Memphis to Philadelphia for a Tuesday lunchtime kickoff. 

Luke Kelly, the game’s eventual hero, was shown a yellow card by the referee after a bad foul on Temple’s Paul Frendach. This was just the start to a chippy game between both sides.

The Tigers found the back of the net just 9 minutes into this one. A poor read by Pierre Cayet on a long ball allowed for Memphis to spring a counter attack down the left hand wing. Gurman Sangha’s right footed curler beat the outstretched Niko Hartmann to give Memphis an early lead.

This is the second time this season that the Owls have started slow while giving up a goal within the first 10 minutes of play. They were scored on just five minutes into their opening match against USF and now conceded very early on in their third match of the season. 

“The beginning of games has been tough for us,” said Esteban Suarez. “I didn’t think we started poorly today but we gave them a chance and it was too easy for them.”

Temple’s first chance came off the foot of sophomore midfielder Amir Cohen in the 28th minute. He was played through on goal by Sean Karani and tried taking it around the keeper. Cohen forced himself into a tight angle shot which was cleared out for a corner kick. 

The cherry and white continued to dominate possession and were given a dangerous set piece after Sean Karani was fouled. Esteban Suarez failed to hit the target on a free kick from right outside the box, his shot went just high.

Niko Hartmann was called into action in the 38th minute when Memphis found themselves on another counter attack. Diving to his left, Hartmann parried away a close range shot from Alexandros Ierides.

Temple went into the half down a goal, the same situation they found themselves in at home against UCF last weekend.

Brandon Johnson was shown a yellow card less than five minutes into the second half for a high challenge. This was the Owls second yellow of the day after Esteban Suarez was shown a caution early in the first half. 

The Owls continued to create chances as their first two opportunities of the second frame came from Sean Karani and Mike Eijgendaal. Both forwards missed wide left of Parker Lackland’s goal. 

Temple finally got the breakthrough as their attack possession paid off. Freshman Mike Eijgendaal calmly headed home a pinpoint cross from Sean Karani. Eijgendaal, a native of Holland, collected his first career goal for the Owls while Karani grabbed his first assist of the season.

The Owls continued to apply the attacking pressure late on in the second half. A long range effort from Sean Karani was easily saved by Lackland.

Temple had a golden opportunity to win the game with just 14 seconds left on the clock. Paul Frendach slipped Karani through on goal, but his shot was denied by a sprawling Lackland.

This one would need overtime to decide a winner. This was the first extratime game for both sides since Temple defeated this Tigers team on the road in the AAC tournament last year. 

Sean Karani continued to be the most dangerous player on the pitch. He had two shots in the first overtime period, one was saved and the other just missed the goal.

The last chance of the first overtime came off of an Esteban Suarez corner kick. Senior Pierre Cayet got his head to the cross but was unable to direct it on frame.

The Owls started the final overtime period on the front foot. Mike Eijgendaal was sprung through the defense but his pass across the face of goal was cleared away.

The final chance for the home side came off the foot of Amir Cohen, his turnaround effort from inside the box was easily scooped up by Lackland. 

The only opportunity that Memphis had in both overtime periods wound up in the back of the net. The Owls defended a Memphis set piece well, the second ball was put back in the box by Caden Wells which was beautifully finished off the outside of his boot by sophomore Luke Kelly. 

“Even though Memphis wasn’t the better side throughout the game, they were better in the key moments of the game,” said Suarez. “We were just thinking about attacking and forgot to defend which they took advantage of.”

The cherry and white dipped below .500 with the loss, they now sit in fifth place with just three points.

The Owls finished the game with 14 total shots with six of those being on target. 

“We were more dominant then what the scoresheet shows,” said Rowland. “We have to finish our opportunities and we know our guys are capable of it.”

Sean Karani led the team in shots with five, three of them on goal. Niko Hartmann was also strong in net for the Owls despite allowing two goals. He had six saves and continues to impress early on in his career on North Broad. 

The Owls are now 0-2 at home this season, losing to UCF and Memphis. Temple will have a quick turnaround as they host USF on Saturday night. 

“It will be vital for us to win this game,” said Suarez. “We need to take advantage of playing on our home field which we couldn’t do through the first two.”

Temple will complete their season series against USF after opening their season on the road in South Florida. The Owls came away with a 3-2 victory in tht matchup.

The Bulls are 1-1 since their matchup with the Owls, losing 7-0 to SMU and most recently defeating UCF 2-1.

“A quick turnaround from Tuesday with overtime to Saturday is not ideal,” said Rowland. “But, we have to watch film and use this as a teachable moment going into a tough matchup this weekend.”

The Owls will look to get their first home win of the season and sweep the season series when USF comes to town this Saturday at 7:00.