Box Score

PHILADELPHIA, Pa.  – The Niagara women’s lacrosse team dropped an 18-5 decision to the Temple Owls in the opening game of the 2013 season on Saturday afternoon at Geasey Field. 

"Overall today was a place to start," first-year head coach Wendy Stone said.  "We had some chances that we didn't finish, and we turned the ball over too much to keep it close. There were some good moments today, some bright spots. We will learn from it, and we will be better tomorrow." 

The Purple Eagles were caught on their heels in the opening nine minutes of play as Temple scored six unanswered goals to jump out to an early 6-0 lead.  Niagara was finally able to get through the Owl defense with 20:58 on the clock off a goal from Katherine Pille that was assisted by Danielle Maio.   This was Maio’s first collegiate point as a Purple Eagle. 

After Temple netted the next four tallies of the contest, Brittany Delano got the Purps on the board for a second time with 14 minutes remaining in the first half.  The teams then traded goals as Nicole Tiernan netted out past Niagara goaltender Paige Sasser, before Fran Pollastro grabbed her first of the season off an assist from Pille. 

Pollastro secured her second tally of the game with one second remaining on the clock after the Owls had gotten on the board three minutes earlier, making it a 12-4 game heading into intermission.

Delano would net one for the Purple Eagles in the second thirty minutes of play, but a 6-1 run by the Owls solidified the victory for Temple.

Pollastro and Delano wrapped up the season opener with two goals, while Maio contributed a pair of assists. 

Sasser made nine saves in 60 minutes of play. 

Niagara is back in action tomorrow at 1 p.m. as the team takes on St. Joseph’s.