Temple Blanks Holy Cross, Wins Third in a Row
WRITTEN BY: JACOB GUZDEK
PHILADELPHIA – Another strong defensive effort paired with a goal and an assist from senior forward Katie Foran led the Temple Owls (4-8) to their third straight victory, as they shutout Holy Cross, 2-0.
After holding Georgetown to just six shots on goal in a 4-1 win this past Friday, the Temple defense stood tall once again, holding Holy Cross to just five shots on goal and five penalty corners.
Freshman goalkeeper Maddie Lilliock made three saves en route to recording the first shutout of her collegiate career, while freshman back Becky Gerhart contributed two defensive saves to the shutout effort.
“Our defense is doing a great job of stepping in front of the other team’s offensive players,” Lilliock said. “I think we are just doing a better job of being more aggressive and holding our ground on defense, and it’s really paying off.”
The first half was a defensive battle, as the teams combined for just three shots on goal and six penalty corners. The best chance to score came in the 26th minute, when Holy Cross freshman forward Danielle McAdam found herself wide open in the circle, but missed the net just wide on a diving shot.
The Owls’ defense was able to overcome two green cards and a yellow card in the first half. Despite playing down two players for two minutes, the unit remained stout.
Temple then came out firing in the second half. Just seven minutes in, Foran took advantage of a penalty corner, tipping home a shot off the stick of redshirt junior forward Sarah Keer, to give Temple a 1-0 lead.
About a minute later, Lilliock came up huge with a save on a 2-player breakaway to keep the Owls up 1-0.
The Owls extended their lead to 2-0 in the 59th minute when junior midfielder Rachael Mueller found the back of the net off a beautiful touch pass from Foran.
Holy Cross had a late opportunity to cut into the lead, but Lilliock came up with a beautiful diving save to preserve the shutout.
“Collectively as a team, our defense this past weekend did a great job,” head coach Marybeth Freeman said. “Especially Maddie [Lilliock]. She has taken a real mature approach in goal and has just been very consistent for us.”
Temple will carry its three game winning streak into Friday’s matchup against #14 ranked Old Dominion at 3 p.m. at Howarth Field.
