Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 4/20/16
From Press Release
Brenda McDermott (Nprth Penn) scored three goals and recorded two assists to lead Temple lacrosse to a 10-7 BIG EAST win at Villanova (3-13, 1-4) on Wednesday night. It was a crucial win for the Owls, who improve to 10-5 overall and 2-3 in the BIG EAST to keep their conference tournament hopes alive.
Temple took a 5-1 lead into halftime after three McDermott first-half goals, and the Owls scored three more early in the second half for an 8-2 lead. They surrendered five goals to Villanova down the stretch, but kept at least a two-goal lead throughout.
“It feels great to come away with this win,” said Temple head coach Bonnie Rosen. “Obviously winning feels good, and keeping our chances alive to make the tournament is something we’ve worked for all season, so this is that next step. I’m really proud of how we came back (from our loss at Marquette) and came out tonight and got out ahead early.”
Senior goalkeeper Jaqi Kakalecik made five saves for Temple, and senior Summer Jaros (Bishop Shanahan) finished with three ground balls and two caused turnovers. In addition to McDermott’s three goals, the Owls got two apiece from seniors Kirstie Connor, Rachel Schwaab and Megan Tiernan (Washington Township, NJ). Junior Morgan Glassford (Strath Haven) recorded two draw controls, and is now tied for first all-time in single-season draw controls at Temple with 64.
McDermott got the Owls started off on the right foot early, scoring an unassisted goal at the end of the first minute. Temple would go on to hold the Wildcats scoreless until the final minute of the half, but the Owls did not add to their 1-0 lead until 10 minutes after McDermott’s opening goal.
On a free position opportunity at 18:54, senior Kirstie Connor made it 2-0. Five minutes later, Kakalecik made her first big stop of the first half on Villanova’s first shot of the game. McDermott then added goal number two with 10:23 remaining, and at 5:04 she assisted on a goal by Schwaab for a 4-0 lead.
Kakalecik also stopped the Wildcats’ second shot of the game at 3:31, but Villanova finally got one past her with just 1:02 remaining on a free position.
The Wildcats controlled the ensuing draw, but senior Kari Longstaff caused a turnover and McDermott was able to put her third goal in the back of the cage on a free position opportunity with 42 seconds left. The Owls took that 5-1 lead into the break, leading Villanova 13-3 in shots for the first half.
The first goal of the second half was Villanova’s, five minutes in, but the Owls answered with three straight in a span of two minutes to lead 8-2. Megan Tiernan both started and ended the quick 3-0 run, scoring the first on an assist from senior Avery Longstaff. Connor recorded her second goal between Tiernan’s two.
Unfortunately for Temple, the Owls’ 3-0 run was followed by a 3-0 run for the Wildcats over a five-minute stretch. Villanova won four straight draw controls, and came back to within three goals at 8-5 with 14:39 remaining. After the fourth draw, Jaros caused a crucial Villanova turnover, and the Owls were able to get back on the board.
“It speaks volumes to Summer,” said Rosen of the caused turnover by Jaros. “That was a huge moment to gain possession back. She’s in the middle of everything from draw controls to defending the top scorer, and to be able to come up with that ball is what really gave us an opportunity to finish the game off.”
For a second time in the game, McDermott gave a perfect pass to Schwaab who scored with 8:42 remaining to give the Owls a 9-5 lead. McDermott also snared the next draw control, and the Owls were able to run five minutes off the clock before Villanova got the ball back.
The Wildcats made the most of the opportunity, giving the Owls a scare with back-to-back goals at 1:30 and 53 seconds remaining. Villanova got the final draw control, but turned it over and Temple got one last goal from Avery Longstaff on a Glassford assist to seal the victory.
Temple will host Cincinnati in its next game, a noon contest on Saturday, April 23. It is the second-to-last home game for the Owls, but they will celebrate Senior Day and honor their 13-member senior class prior to the game.
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