The Women Owls End in an Agonizing Tie Against Rider
Written By: Jesse Dimich-Louvet
Photo Courtesy of: OwlSports.com
The Owls dominated but were unable to find a solution against Rider’s defense
Another game under the lights at the Temple Sports Complex, another double-overtime thriller for the Temple women’s soccer team.
The Owls ended in a frustrating tie 1-1 against the Rider Broncs, with Temple shooting a mind-numbing 31 shots to Rider’s mere nine. This was the tale of the tape as the Owls dominated in just about every category on the stats sheet, though in the end, walked away with yet another tie.
The first half was fairly evenly matched with AAC goalkeeper of the week, Kamryn Stablein, proving her pedigree saving a powerful kick at the 20th minute. Though the Broncs would open up the score at the 32-minute mark, the Owls would waste no time, striking back minutes later thanks to a beautiful goal by Junior Emily Kavanaugh.
Rider fended off a relentless Owl attack in the second half with shots from Sweden’s Moa Andersson and Junior Hailey Gutowski unable to find the back of the net, thanks in large part to an incredible performance from Ellie Sciancalepore, Rider’s goalie. The corners started to accumulate as the ball was never on Temples’ side finishing with 14 corners to Riders two.
In overtime, the Owls picked up right where they left off with a tantalizingly close crossbar struck in the opening minutes, that would go on to haunt the Owls as the Rider defense did not crack under pressure. Rider would get a couple of looks of its own but was unable to convert, sending the Owls into their second double-overtime game in eight days.
Andersson had another opportunity to open up double overtime but just missed the mark. The biggest scare of the night came on a counterattack, with Rider finding itself in a one on one with Stablein. Though as she did early in the first half, Stablein stepped up when it mattered most, denying both shots sending the crowd into a frenzy, and with it a 1-1 final score at the end of double overtime.
Despite the immediate frustrations and disappointment for not finding a way to break through the seemingly impenetrable Bronc defense, the Owls can be optimistic and content with their aggression.
The Owls were dominant but lacked efficiency when it came to their offense. After tonight’s tie, the Owls move to 0-2-3 on the season. They look to break this offensive curse as they take on Saint Joseph’s on Thursday.
