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COLLEGE SOCCER: Owls Show Fight, but are Dominated by Bulldogs

By Morgan Killian-Moseley Photos: Zamani Feelings, 09/27/22, 5:00PM EDT

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Photos: Zamani Feelings

By: Morgan Killian-Moseley

PHILADELPHIA –  The old adage “Any given Sunday, any team can beat any other team”, normally applies to the gridiron.  Temple supporters hoped that it would apply to the other type of football Sunday afternoon.

But unfortunately, what looked to be a mismatch on paper was indeed a mismatch on the pitch, as the Gonzaga Bulldogs rolled into the Temple Sports Complex and dominated the Owls 4-1 for their fourth straight win.

Giana Riley got the scoring started for the Zags in the ninth minute with a well-angled shot past Temple keeper Kyla Burns for her fourth goal of the season; giving her a share of the team lead. Willow Collins was credited with the assist.  In the 20th minute, Maddie Kemp got one home past Burns for her second goal of the year, with Erin Healy getting the helper.

Temple looked lost in the first half; not being able to complete many of their passes in the middle of the field. The Owls had very little possession in their attacking third, not registering a single shot in the first half.

Credit does have to be given to Temple head coach Nick Bochette and his staff though, as their adjustments had the Owls amping up the aggression on the attacking end in the second half.  However, Gonzaga continued their strong work in the middle third, and in the 81st minute, Lauren Elwer hit paydirt, with Kate Doyle getting the assist on Elwer’s second goal of the year.

Even though they were down three goals, the Owls showed some bulldog mentality; and in the 83rd minute Sumaya Togba was able to send an in-swinging cross into the 18-yard box towards Roisin McGovern, who was taken down by Gonzaga’s Taylor Gentry.  Gentry was given a yellow card, and McGovern was awarded a penalty kick.


#5 Giana Riley, secured Gonzaga's first goal, in route to a 4-1 victory - Photo by Zamani Feelings

Roisin McGovern scores for the Owls - Video by Morgan Killian-Moseley

Zags keeper Lyza Bosselmann was able to make the stop on the PK… and on the initial rebound. But McGovern would not be denied, and as the 84th minute began the third time proved to be the charm as McGovern finally slipped it past Bosselmann and the Gonzaga defense.

It was McGovern’s first goal of the season… and the Owls’ first goal in over a month! Temple had not scored since Emily Kavanaugh found the net in the Cherry and White’s season opener, a 1-all home draw against Maryland on August 18.

But just when the Owls had finally found some semblance of momentum, the Bulldogs ripped it right back; as Doyle would notch her first tally of the season 23 seconds later to salt away the victory.

Gonzaga launched 16 shots, eight of them being on net.  Temple fired six shots, four on target. Gonzaga won the penalty corner battle as well, earning seven to Temple’s four. Bosselmann made three saves in the win for Gonzaga. Burns made four saves in the losing effort for Temple, and without her things could have been a lot worse for the Owls.

Gonzaga climbs to 5-2-2 and will open their West Coast Conference schedule on the road Saturday night against the Dons of the University of San Francisco.  Temple remains winless at 0-5-4, with an 0-2 record in the American Athletic Conference. They will face the Long Island University Sharks on Saturday night.