Photos/Videos: Zach Gephart & Allie Riches
By: Zach Gephart
PHILADELPHIA - After two consecutive losses for Temple University, attacker Julie Schickling was able to will the Owls back into the win column.
Saint Joseph’s University found themselves on a roll leading into Sunday’s matchup. With two wins against Villanova and formerly 25th-ranked UConn, the Hawks had quickly rebounded from an 0-2 start to their season. Junior Maddie Yoder and sophomore Kate Fuhrman were critical in these contests, as the pair combined for 10 goals. Temple, however, walked onto their home field after back-to-back losses against ranked opponents. Led by midfielder Belle Mastropietro and attacker Amelia Wright, the Owls were looking to get back on track.
Temple vs. Saint Joseph's - PSD Gallery by Allie Riches
The hometown showdown would result in the two schools going blow-for-blow. Fuhrman would lead the Hawks with four scores, while Mastropietro helped Temple respond with three of her own. St. Joe’s would then save 10 shots, while the Owls would save 12. Eventually, however, Schickling would prove to be the difference maker. With 23.8 seconds left in the fourth period, she would score to give Temple a narrow 10-9 victory.
“Hopefully [this] gives us some good momentum moving forward,” Schickling stated. “We’ve been really working on and honing in… on our game."
Senior Camryn Zavacky would be among a flurry of Owls that would score to give Temple an early lead. Yet, the Hawks would not die quickly. Both Fuhrman and junior Sarah Groark would grab a goal to quickly even the score, ending the first period in a 3-3 tie.
Mastropietro would bring Temple back in front to open the second period with an unassisted goal. Despite three penalties being assessed on the Owls in this quarter alone, they would then go on a run. Schickling and midfielder Maeve Tobin would both score to extend the difference to three points. However, Fuhrman would respond right before halftime to bring the score to 6-4.
As the second half began, Fuhrman’s goal quickly became a momentum-shifting play for St. Joe’s.
The third period saw the Hawks answer with a vengeance as Fuhrman, Groark, and senior Bonnie Yu all scored. Attack Lisa Ross would also help facilitate the comeback, as her two assists brought St. Joe’s back in front with a score of 7-6. Temple would also be held to four shots in this quarter as the two went into the last period of play.
The Hawks would follow up their strong third period with another goal by Fuhrman, extending their lead to two scores. This five-point run would finally be ended when Mastropietro and Wright were both able to score just over a minute apart from each other. Groark and sophomore Emily Liberio would then trade goals to tie the game in the final minute of play.
After their final timeout was called, the Owls held possession. As the clock ticked, Mastropietro slung the ball to Schickling, who began running towards the net. As she weaved through Hawk after Hawk, she found herself in the perfect opportunity for a game-winning shot. With just under 24 seconds to go, Schickling would calmly shoot and score in a hectic crowd to give Temple a nail-biting 10-9 win.
Temple vs. Saint Joseph's Game Highlight's - PSD Video by Zach Gephart
Post game interview with Julie Schickling - PSD Video by Zach Gephart
“We had a pretty good plan,” Schickling said. “We have [so much] trust in everyone that we know whoever got the ball in the end… could take it and we [could] trust them. I just happened to be that last person”.
Temple will look to build off of their momentum when they travel out West to take on 16th-ranked University of Southern California on Friday. St. Joe’s, meanwhile, will look to get back in the win column when they host VCU on Sunday.