Three players accomplished something Wednesday they had not achieved in their collegiate careers for the Owls, who are ranked No. 17 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America coaches poll.
Freshman midfielder Belal Mohamed, junior midfielder Dan White and senior midfielder Josh Tagland scored their first goals in a Temple (7-0-1) uniform in the team’s 4-1 victory against La Salle at Amber Sports Complex.
“You feel very happy for them because they work so hard,” coach David MacWilliams said. “When they hit the back of the net, it’s really great to see that.”
Mohamed opened the games scoring in the 19th minute on an assist from junior midfielder Justin Stoddart and 16 minutes later, Stoddart—off an assist from junior midfielder Kevin Klett—put the Owls up 2-0.
White’s 54th minute goal increased the squad’s lead to 3-0 and after White found the back of the net for the first time as an Owl, he sprinted into a huddle of his teammates to celebrate.
“It’s a rush of adrenaline,” White said. “It’s the best feeling in the world, honestly.”
Tagland scored the Owls’ final goal of the night in the 89th minute on an assist from senior forward Dalton Andruski.
“It feels great. I feel super for the guys,” MacWilliams said. “They’ve worked hard. They should be there. They’ve done everything and hopefully we can keep it rolling.”
The victory against La Salle was the team’s six in a row and the Owls open American Athletic Conference play on the road against Cincinnati Sept. 26 with their highest national ranking since 1985.
“We try not to think about it,” Tagland said. “We don’t want to get on our high horse, but it is pretty cool.”
Heading into conference play, MacWilliams is pleased with his team’s performance through the first eight games.
“It feels great. I feel super for the guys,” MacWilliams said. “They’ve worked hard. They should be there. They’ve done everything and hopefully we can keep it rolling.”
The Owls conceded a goal in the 85th minute, the team’s fourth of the year and first since Sept. 16. Redshirt-junior goalkeeper Alex Cagle totaled two saves.
Maura Razanauskas can be reached at maura.razanauskas@temple.edu.
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