Explorers Beat Temple, 3-0

Philadelphia, PA - The La Salle University Women's Soccer team returned to the win column this afternoon, defeating Temple University, 3-0, in a critical Atlantic 10 Conference game. With the win, the Explorers improve to 6-6-2 on the season, while Temple drops to 4-10.

Both teams played through dreadful, rainy conditions all afternoon. Freshman phenom Kristin Hextall (Voorhees, NJ/Bishop Eustace) was the star of the game with two goals, upping her season total to five. Her goal near the end of the first period gave the Explorers a 1-0 lead at the half.

Hextall struck again halfway through the second period, giving the Explorers a 2-0 cushion. Junior Alexis Petrucci (Abington, PA/Bishop McDevitt) then iced the victory with her team-leading sixth goal of the season.

Kerry Schamberger (Levittown, NY/St. Anthony's) made four saves in recording her sixth shutout of the season.

With the win, the Explorers climbed back to .500, and shed the spectre of some recent overtime defeats. Coach Paul Royal understood the importance of the game. "Our defense really stepped up," he said. "I can't say enough about Liz Ash, Jenna Guagenti, and the entire back line. On offense, I was glad to see Kristin Hextall capitalize on some of the great chances she's been getting. I was really proud of our entire team."

The Explorers next game will be on Sunday, October 17th, when they travel to Saint Joseph's for another intra-city battle. The game is scheduled for 1:00 PM.