Delaware Edges Temple Resulting in the Owls First Set of Consecutive Losses This Season.

Written By: Jesse Dimich-Louvet

Photo Courtesy of: @TempleLacrosse

The Delaware Blue Hens came after the Owls in a rescheduled match on Friday night at Howarth Field, handing the 18th ranked Owls their second loss in three nights in a thrilling 11-10 upset. 

“Delaware has just been hungry and putting it all together. We left the door open tonight for them to do that,” Coach Bonnie Rosen said.  

After jumping out to an 8-4 lead midway through the second quarter, Temple looked to be on its way to another routine victory.  However, the Blue Hens scored two successive goals to steal the momentum and close the lead to two heading into halftime.  

Rosen decided to change goalies at the start of the second half, replacing graduate student Annie Carroll, who had played in all but 12 minutes through the first seven games of the season, with freshman Taylor Grollman. 

“Some nights it’s easier for one goalie to see a ball that leads to their strength in terms of the type of shots coming,” Rosen said when adding that the freshman could bring a new perspective to the game.  

Grollman would finish the game with four saves which were not enough as the Blue Hens continued to attack the Temple’s vulnerable defense. The Owls needed to execute better both defensively and offensively, with Rosen pointing out the 16 unforced turnovers Temple accumulated throughout the game. 

The offense was not up to Temple’s standard either with all three of Matrapietro’s goals coming in the first half, going scoreless in the second as she was shut down defensively from the Blue Hens. Prolific scorer Quin Nicolai was also struggling, scoring three goals and just one in the second half. 

After only 48 hours removed from a defeat against no. 13th ranked Rutgers on Wednesday night, Rosen acknowledged the Owls were still adapting to these quick turnarounds but remained adamant that it was not an excuse.  

The Owls went scoreless in the fourth with Delaware’s Danielle Livornese scoring the go-ahead goal with 1:39 remaining, handing the Blue Hens the lead for the first time all game. The goal would seal a remarkable upset for Delaware, silencing the crowd, and sending the Blue Hen sideline into a frenzy. 

“I don’t take this loss lightly in any fashion,” a disappointed Rosen said. 

The Owls will have nine days off before hosting U.C. Davis on Sunday, Mar. 20 at 2 p.m. as they hope to put an end to a two-game slide.