Temple No Match for Connecticut

Written by: Kevin Schaeffer

There were not many positives at Geasey Field Friday afternoon. The Owls’ were unable to get anything going and fell to the University of Connecticut by a final score of 8-0.

Temple (3-9 overall 0-1 Big East) struggled in its conference opener. They failed to get consistent forward pressure against the number two team in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association Poll in Connecticut (12-0 overall 2-0 Big East).

The Huskies, however exploded offensively led by reigning Big East Rookie of the Year Charlotte Veitner. The sophomore forward finished the game with three goals and two assists.

The Owls came into the contest with the second highest scoring offense in the Big East, but the defending national champions were too much for Temple to overcome. Temple was out shot by a 30-4 where they failed to even get a shot off in the first 35 minutes.

Another key to the Huskies win was their ability to obtain corners. At the end of the game Connecticut finished with 13 corners compared to Temple’s two. The Huskies were able to make the most of their opportunities scoring on three of the corners.

On the bright side senior goalkeeper Haley Mitchell was able to keep the game from getting even uglier. Mitchell finished with 11 saves on the day, one shy of her season high that she had in the the Owls’ last game against No. 12 Liberty.

Another one of the few positives for Temple was they ended with a strong push. The second half was when the Owls were able to get all four of their shots for the game. The last play of the game was also one of Temple’s two corners and perhaps its best scoring chance of the game.

The Owls hope to bounce back Sunday when they take on Bucknell University. Sunday is Temple’s Homecoming game so they look to bounce back and end the five game losing streak they are on.