PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – The La Salle field hockey team struggled to gain offensive momentum in the contest at Temple, falling to the Owls 2-0 on Sunday afternoon.
 
The Explorers fall to 3-5 on the season while Temple improves to 7-1.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The first corner of the game was awarded to Temple in the seventh minute. La Salle goalkeeper Ryan Curley slide to the far left to make an initial save on the ground but the ball came loose and popped out behind her. The Explorers defense worked to move it out of danger, but Temple caught a bounce to push it over the line for the 1-0 lead.
• The Owls extended their lead in the 18^th minute converting the first corner attempt of the game. Once again Curley protected the cage from the first shot, but the follow up secured the goal to give Temple a 2-0 lead over La Salle.
• The Explorers backfield was put to the test in the competition. In the 32^nd minute the Owls made their way into the La Salle circle once again with Curley on the save. Temple collected the rebound and reversed chipped it back toward the net where Sofia Pla stepped up for the block.
• La Salle had two good looks off corners in the fourth quarter. With just over seven minutes to go Tatum Johnson sent a clear ball to the top of the circle for a rocket shot from Pla. Two minutes later the Explorers followed up with another clean corner that saw a shot from Johnson head just wide of the left post.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Temple held the advantage in shots, 10-4, and shots on goal, 7-2.
• Curley recorded all 60 minutes in the cage and made five saves.
• The Explorers totaled four corners and Temple recorded three.
• Cat McFadden and Quinn Medico each recorded a shot in the game.

UP NEXT:

• La Salle returns to DeVincent Field for its second home game of the season against A-10 foe VCU on Friday, Sep. 23 at 3 p.m.