By: Morgan Killian-Moseley
PHILADELPHIA – It was a tough, gritty defensive battle at Howarth Field Sunday afternoon, with plenty of Temple families and even the Diamond Band in attendance. But it was the visiting Penn Quakers who were celebrating in the end, as a pair of fourth quarter goals propelled Penn to its first win of the season, upsetting the No. 24 ranked Temple Owls 2-0.
Temple started strong offensively, earning five penalty corners in the first quarter alone. But Penn goalie Frederique Wollaert and her back line stood strong and kept the Owls off the board.
The second quarter saw things tighten up. Penn’s Allison Kuzyk had a chance nearly four minutes into the quarter, but she was denied by Temple keeper Molly Frey. The Owls were unable to manage a single shot on net in the second stanza. The third quarter was tighter still, with neither team even registering a single shot; on target or off.
About 25 seconds into the final frame, Penn senior Meghan Ward was able to capitalize on some chaos in front of the Temple net and notch her second goal of the season to put the Quakers in front.
Temple did its best to respond, but couldn’t make anything out of the few chances they got in the last 10 minutes of play. And penalty corners, which had been a key element of Temple’s offense, ended up being the Owls’ undoing as offensive specialist Courtney Kenah was able to put a rebound off of a blocked shot past Frey for her third marker of the year to salt this one away for the Red and Blue.
Penn sophomore Courtney Kenah scores for the Quakers - Video by Morgan Killian-Moseley
Temple Diamond Band Cheers on the Owls - Video by Morgan Killian-Moseley
Kuzyk was credited with an assist on Ward’s goal, as was Elita Van Staden. Ward assisted on Kenah’s goal.
Temple outshot Penn 9-8, with four shots for each team being on target. The Owls earned seven penalty corners to the Quakers’ three.
Wollaert stopped all four shots that came her way for the first shutout of her collegiate career. Frey made two saves in defeat for the Cherry and White.
Penn is now 1-7 on the season, with a record of 0-1 in the Ivy League. Temple drops to 7-3 with a 1-1 Big East record. Both teams will host conference rivals Friday afternoon, with the Quakers taking on the Harvard Crimson and the Owls facing the Georgetown Hoyas.