Temple Ends Losing Streak, Upsets No. 12 Old Dominion
WRITTEN BY KEVIN SCHAEFFER
@_kevinschaeffer
In a year of transition for Temple’s Field Hockey team, the Owls finished off their biggest win of the season against Big East opponent Old Dominion, the number 12 team in the National Field
Hockey Coaches Association poll.
After a season a year where the Owls finished 14th in the NFHCA poll after ending the season 14-7 overall and 3-2 in the Big East. This season was to be a year of change. Big East Offensive Player of the Year and All-American Amber Youtz graduated. Head Coach Amanda Janney left to take the same position at Indiana University.
New Head Coach Marybeth Freeman took over a team with similar expectations to the previous. As the Owls entered the season nationally ranked.
After opening the season 2-4, including three losses to ranked opponents, this season could be seen as a transition year as the players begin to get accumulated to Freeman’s system.
But the year has been turned around after an upset win Tuesday in Norfolk, Virginia. The Owls won the game 1-0, the lone goal was scored senior midfielder Sarah Deck in the first half.
The Owls (4-12 overall 1-2 Big East) were able to ride the one goal lead throughout the second half, despite being outshot for the game 21-4, to keep the shutout.
This was the second shutout of the season for the Owls, and the second for senior goalkeeper Haley Mitchell.
Not only did the win on Tuesday end Temple’s eight-game losing streak, but was also the team’s first win in the Big East. With that conference win the Owls are now tied for third in the Big East with Old Dominion, Georgetown, and Villanova.
It was key for the Owls to be in the top four in the Big East, because only the top four teams make the conference tournament. Since the only conference games left for the Owls are against teams they are tied with every conference game left is important.
The Owls look to continue this newfound success into Friday against Georgetown. Friday is the last home game of the year for the Owls.
