The women’s soccer team’s offensive struggle continues as
they dropped a 1-0 contest to Drexel yesterday at Ambler
Field.
Noel Niederkorn’s goal in the first half gave Drexel all the
offense it needed.
The goal came on a free kick after a penalty was called on
Owls defenseman Cori Gallagher for tripping. Drexel forward
Kristyn Rossi on a breakaway. The initial free kick by the
Dragon’s Sherriann Steadman was blocked, but a clearing
attempt took an unexpected carom and bounced to a wide-open
Neiderkorn.
This marks the fifth straight game in which Temple has not
scored. The Owls came within inches of tying the game in the
late minutes when junior midfielder Darlene Beamon’s crossing
pass into the goal box appeared to cross the goal line, but
Drexel goalie Kaitlin Bond made the save. It was Bond’s-and
Drexel’s-third straight shutout.
The scoring chances were few and far between for both teams.
Freshman goalie Tiffany Kusanich only faced a handful of
shots, thanks in large part to the defensive unit, which was
missing senior captain Trish Dalton. Dalton sat out the match
after having an MRI on her knee.
At times, the Owls seemed out of sync on the offensive end of
the field. Once again, coach David Jones decided to use a mix
of upper- and lower-classmen on offense. Five games into the
season, Jones is fully aware of the growing pains the team is
facing.
“We have kids that only have four or five college games under
their belt,” Jones said. “They are still trying to figure out
what they can and can’t do. And that takes time.”
“It’s hard,” freshman midfielder Wendy Halina said. “This is
a really big transfer coming from a high school team to a
Division I college team. It’s been frustrating.”
Jones said some of his upperclassmen have to come through and
pick up the newer players when they are struggling.
“Part of the problem is, we need some upperclassmen to step
up and be leaders. We don’t have any real leaders on the
team,” Jones said. “No one wants to step up and take charge
of a game and put their stamp on it. We need somebody to do
something and everyone else will jump on their back.”
The Owls hope to find their leaders, and solve their
offensive woes, this weekend. They travel to Delaware State
to play the Hornets on Sunday.
Greg Otto can be reached at gregotto@temple.edu.
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