Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 3/1/21
From Press Release
After a dominant 17-2 victory over Big 5 rival Villanova in the home opener Friday, attacker Meghan Hoffman, midfielder Belle Mastropietro (Springfield-Delco), and defender Courtney Taylor (Central Bucks South) have been honored by the American Athletic Conference. Mastropietro has earned AAC Midfielder Player of the Week, Taylor garnered AAC Defender of the Week, and Hoffman has been named to the AAC Weekly Honor Roll for their efforts in the victory.
Mastropietro claims the Midfielder of the Week award for the second week in a row. This is her third career weekly honor after claiming Freshman of the Week once last season. The sophomore had a career day against the Wildcats. Mastropietro scored five goals in the first half to help Temple get out a 13-0 lead by halftime, including three goals in a span of fewer than two minutes. She would add her sixth to set a new career-high in the second half and was one of seven Owls to earn an assist. Mastropietro was also fierce on the draw, tying for the game-high six draw controls.
Taylor built on a strong performance in week one that saw her named to the AAC Honor Roll. The senior led the Owl backline to one of the best Temple defensive performances of the last two decades . The Owls allowed Villanova to score only two goals, the least any Temple opponent has scored since 4/21/02 when the Owls defeated UMass 14-2. Taylor led the Owls in ground ball pickups and in caused turnovers with three of each.
Hoffman was key to getting the Owls off on the right foot. The fifth-year scored three of Temple’s first four goals and assisted on the one she didn’t score herself. She also added Temple’s first goal on the second half to put to bed any notion the Owls would allow Villanova to creep back into the match.
The Owls will return to action on Wednesday, Mar. 3 against Drexel at Howarth Field. This will be the second consecutive Big 5 match-up played by Temple. The game is set for 3 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+.
AAC HONOR ROLL
Payton Barr • M • So. • East Carolina • Logan Township/Paul VI, N.J.
Had two goals, an assist, seven shots, two ground balls, seven draw controls and a caused turnover in two games.
