ST. LOUIS, Mo. - The Explorers, owners of a 4-2-3 Atlantic 10 record and a No. 5 seed in the conference championship, open Atlantic 10 Tournament play tonight when they take on No. 4 Temple at 8:30 PM Eastern (7:30 PM Central) at Saint Louis University's Robert R. Hermann Stadium.

The winner advances to the conference semifinals tomorrow against either No. 1 Fordham or No. 2 George Washington. The championship game is set for 2:00 PM Eastern (1:00 PM Central) on Sunday.

The Explorers (6-8-4, 4-2-3 Atlantic 10) look to avenge a 1-0 loss to the Owls (9-9, 5-4 Atlantic 10) just six days ago. Temple got the game's only score when Cody Calafiore converted a first-half penalty kick and the Owls hung on for the win. The 1-0 outcome was the third straight for the two squads, with the Explorers winning by the same score in both 2010 and 2009.

Jason Plumhoff, a Second Team All-Atlantic 10 pick, leads the Explorer offensive attack. He put up 18 regular season points with 11 of those coming against Atlantic 10 foes. He recorded three game-winning goals and also added two assists in the final game of the regular season to punch the team's ticket to the tournament.

Also chipping in offensively is Kameron Teel with seven points after scoring twice in a 3-2 come-from-behind win over Saint Louis. Jeff Pio has added six on three goals and All-Rookie pick Jidell Roach has scored two goals and recorded an assist for five points. In total, 13 Explorers have at least two points.

Of course the story of the season has been the stellar defense, which looks to continue its dominance. John McCarthy, who was named Second Team All-Conference, leads the nation in total saves (127) and saves per game (7.94) and is ranked 13th nationally and second in the Atlantic 10 in save percentage (.841). He put up two career highs this season, first with 14 saves in a 2-1 double overtime win against Rhode Island before upping that mark to 18 in a 2-2 draw with #10/9 Charlotte.

Atlantic 10 honorable mention pick Nick Dundon and 2010 Second Team pick Dan Korenyi anchor the back line and have helped the Explorers to five shutouts this season along with a combined 10-4-4 record in league play in the last two seasons.

The Owls are coming off of a 1-0 double overtime loss to top-seeded Fordham in the regular season finale. Prior to that, they were winners of two straight, including the win over the Explorers and a 2-1 decision over St. Bonaventure.

Calafiore leads the squad with 14 points on six goals and two assists, and all-conference pick Tyler Witmer chipped in 11 points on four goals and three assists. Like the Explorers, the Owls have a total of 13 players with points.

Rookie goalkeeper Bobby Rosato has played the majority of minutes in net for the Owls with a 1.33 goals against average and a .755 save percentage while recording five shutouts.

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Thursday (11/10) vs. No. 4 Temple
Atlantic 10 Championship First Round
Robert R. Hermann Stadium | St. Louis, Mo.
8:30 PM ET (7:30 PM CT)
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