Temple 12 Saint Joseph’s 11 – Women’s Lacrosse – A View From Papazian’s Perch

PHILADELPHIA, April 2, 2011 – When the Saint Joseph’s Hawks and the Temple Owls play, feathers fly.  It is no different in women’s lacrosse as the Temple Owls scored the last four goals of the game over the final twenty minutes to earn a 12 – 11 win over Saint Joseph’s on Hawk Hill. 

Bonnie Rosen

“This is a great rivalry,” said Temple Coach Bonnie Rosen about the intensity of the game and series.  “Saint Joseph’s played a fantastic game today.  This was a big win.  We’re thrilled to walk away with it in any style.”

The game was close throughout.  Neither team led by more than one goal in the first half.  It was back and forth.  Saint Joseph’s got a goal by Junior Attack Jen Peters with 21 seconds left to tie the game at 7 at halftime.   The Hawks opened the second half scoring the first three goals to take a 10 – 7 lead at the 25 minute mark, and looked to take control.  Junior Attack Meghan McDevitt, Junior Midfielder Grace Dinn, and Peters got the goals. 

Denise Roessler

“We were moving the ball around the perimeter with speed,” said Saint Joseph’s Coach Denise Roessler about the Hawks run.  “We were able to find the open cut.”

Temple got one back as Sophomore Midfielder Charlotte Swavola scored one of her game-high five goals to bring the Owls to within 10 – 8 with 23:23 to play.

In a later possession Saint Joseph’s picked up a ground ball, cleared the zone, got the ball to  Junior Midfielder Carly Kindbom who found McDevitt on a fast   break.  McDevitt put the ball past Temple Junior Goal Keeper Tess Bishop with 20:03 remaining give the Hawks their three goal lead back at 11 – 8. 

“It wasn’t a drawn up play, but I am proud that they executed it,” Roessler said.  “You wish you could have seen it all game.”

Then Rosen made a Goal Keeper change inserting Meghan Clothier.  The Hawks  did not score another goal.

“She did a fantastic job, stood her ground, and gave the defense confidence that they could stay strong, come out with the ball, and gave the offense a chance to score,” said Rosen.

The Owls started their rally.  Junior Midfielder Missy Schweitzer scored a one-up unassisted goal 48 seconds later.  Junior Midfielder Stephanie Markunas scored unassisted at 14:58.  The Owls tied the game at 11 with 14:24 to play on goal by Freshman Midfielder Lea Britton.  The lead goal came on a free-position goal by Swavola with 11:02 on the clock.

With 4:29 to play Clothier made a save on a shot by Freshman Midfielder Val Paolucci.  Temple took possession and was able to hold the ball until the 8 second mark.  Saint Joseph’s rushed down field, but a last second shot by Dinn was wide.

We had to go with the idea that we were going to stall it,” said Rosen.  It is not an easy process to do.  We have a lot of young people who handled the pressure really well.

“Our shots at the end were not on, and we were fouling defensively,” said Roessler about the lead getting away. 

In addition to her game-high 5 goals Swavola also had 2 assists for a 7 point game.  Markunas scored 3 goals.  Junior Midfielder Carly Cohen had a goal and 2 assists.

For the Hawks McDevitt had 4 goals and 2 assists for a career-high 6 points.  Dinn scored 3 goals, Peters had 2 goals and 2 assists, and Junior Midfielder Alana Glanell had a goal and 3 assists.

Temple out-shot Saint Joseph’s 24 – 21, and had a 15 – 10 edge in Draw Controls.  The Hawks were whistled for 35 penalties to 22 for the Owls.  20 of 35 penalties were committed in the second half.

Saint Joseph’s is now 5 – 6 for the season, 1 – 1 in conference.  The Hawks have shown the ability to bounce back.

“We lost a game by 1 to Old Dominion, then we came back and won two games by one,” said Roessler.  “We’re pretty confident that we can get back.”

Temple improves to 3 – 8 and evens their Atlantic 10 record at 1 – 1.

“This was a gutsy game for both teams,” said Rosen.

There is no better way to sum up the game.

Boxscore

Written By:  Glenn Papazian

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