Temple University Athletics
Photo by: Joseph V. Labolito/Temple University
Field Hockey Looks to Thrive in 2017
8.22.17 | Field Hockey
PHILADELPHIA - One of the defining characteristics of Temple field hockey head coach Marybeth Freeman's teams over the past two years has been a fighting spirit. Despite some mid-season struggles, her 2015 and 2016 squads both rebounded with big late-season wins that put them into the conference tournament mix.
"Obviously, you're going to have adversity that you face throughout the season," said Freeman, "and hopefully that adversity is shorter versus longer. But to be able to bounce back and show that strength of character and be strong when we need it the most - which is the end in the conference tournament - I couldn't be happier that we've been able to show that. We talk a lot about character and for me, it really is the defining aspect of a team."
In 2017, with eight returning starters and an increased sense of stability as a program, the Owls look to make a name for themselves right off the bat. Leadership will come from the team's tri-captains: seniors Maiyah Brown, Hattie Kuhns and Rachael Mueller, as well as from fifth-year senior Sarah Keer.
Mueller was Temple's leading scorer in her junior year with 10 goals including three game-winners. Keer and Kuhns posted two goals each, with Keer adding a team-best six assists. Also providing veteran playing experience are redshirt juniors Ashley Kucera and Maris Stern along with juniors Jessika Daniels, Nellie Doyle and Chloe Johnson.
The Owls' motto this year is "thrive," which Freeman explains as a mindset she hopes will carry her team throughout the season.
"Choosing 'thrive' as our team motto is about being successful in the challenges we face day-to-day and not just trying to skirt by, but to excel and surpass even our own expectations," she said. "Every day, we're not trying to get through or just SURVIVE the season. We want to excel. We want to THRIVE."
While the senior leadership will be vital, the Owls have plenty of underclassmen either looking to make an impact or who have already begun to prove themselves. Sophomore Maddie Lilliock returns to the goalkeeping position after starting in all 19 games in her debut campaign. Sophomore Maddie Merton was the second-leading scorer in her first season, posting six goals while adding a pair of assists. Sophomore Becky Gerhart finished her rookie year ranked third in NCAA Division I with nine defensive saves, making her presence known all season long in the backfield. Sophomore Kathryn Edgar was a strong force in the midfield, especially in the later stages of the season.
"We were in a rebuilding state last year," says Freeman, "and we had a group of freshmen that saw a really good amount of playing time which was huge for us. Becky was really strong in the backfield, Kat played a big role in controlling the midfield, and now we have a sophomore class that is very strong which is great leading into this year. We faced a lot of top teams and proved we could play with those teams, so what's big for us now is that confidence piece. We saw what we're capable of doing."
In a sport without a wealth of statistics to award, many players slide under the radar but are no less important to the success of the team.
"What we try to do is instill a 'team first' mentality," said Freeman. "It's a team sport and we don't want to be self-serving. If one person does well, we all do well. They're really starting to understand that mindset. We also make a point of incorporating different starting lineups. I think we had a different lineup for almost every game last year. That helps to keep everyone empowered and inspired. Every week is a new opportunity to get more minutes and you can earn that right."
The program's other underclassmen are likely to make an impact as well, as the Owls welcome five freshmen including three all-state honorees in Taylor Alba, Dani Batze and Mia Sexton.
Temple's season begins at home as the Owls break in Howarth Field for a second year. They won six games at the brand-new complex a year ago, and were the fourth seed while serving as hosts for the BIG EAST Conference Tournament. The 2017 schedule features nine home contests including two over the opening weekend against Saint Joseph's and Bucknell.
Over the course of 18 regular season games, the Owls will face teams from a total of eight different NCAA Division I conferences including their own BIG EAST (seven games), the Big Ten (two games), the Patriot League (three games), the MAAC (two games), the Atlantic 10 (one game), the America East (one game), the Ivy League (one game) and the MAC (one game).
"We're excited about the competitiveness and challenges this 2017 schedule will bring to our Temple program," said Freeman. "With a wide variety of conferences represented within our schedule, our student-athletes will see diverse playing styles to compete against.
"The work we did this past spring, coupled with the competitive hockey drive our incoming class has shown, will make our 2017 season a great one. I'm excited to build on what the program has been working on over the past two seasons, while continuing to exhibit the philosophical principles this program encompasses."
Two days after opening the season against Saint Joseph's at 6 p.m., Temple will face Bucknell at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 27, but then will not return home for nearly a month. Back-to-back nationally ranked teams await the Owls on the road, as they head to Penn State on Sept. 1, ranked fifth in the final poll of last season, and then to Northwestern on Sept. 8, ranked 13th.
Temple opens its seven-game BIG EAST slate on the road at Providence on Sept. 15, and will face sixth-ranked UConn in the conference home opener on Friday, Sept. 22 at 6 p.m. Other home league games include Villanova, Quinnipiac and Liberty. The Owls will finish the regular season at home against Lafayette on Sunday, Oct. 29.
Providence will serve as the host of the 2017 BIG EAST Championships on Nov. 3-5, featuring the top four of eight teams at the conclusion of the regular season.
Â
 Â
"Obviously, you're going to have adversity that you face throughout the season," said Freeman, "and hopefully that adversity is shorter versus longer. But to be able to bounce back and show that strength of character and be strong when we need it the most - which is the end in the conference tournament - I couldn't be happier that we've been able to show that. We talk a lot about character and for me, it really is the defining aspect of a team."
In 2017, with eight returning starters and an increased sense of stability as a program, the Owls look to make a name for themselves right off the bat. Leadership will come from the team's tri-captains: seniors Maiyah Brown, Hattie Kuhns and Rachael Mueller, as well as from fifth-year senior Sarah Keer.
Mueller was Temple's leading scorer in her junior year with 10 goals including three game-winners. Keer and Kuhns posted two goals each, with Keer adding a team-best six assists. Also providing veteran playing experience are redshirt juniors Ashley Kucera and Maris Stern along with juniors Jessika Daniels, Nellie Doyle and Chloe Johnson.
The Owls' motto this year is "thrive," which Freeman explains as a mindset she hopes will carry her team throughout the season.
"Choosing 'thrive' as our team motto is about being successful in the challenges we face day-to-day and not just trying to skirt by, but to excel and surpass even our own expectations," she said. "Every day, we're not trying to get through or just SURVIVE the season. We want to excel. We want to THRIVE."
While the senior leadership will be vital, the Owls have plenty of underclassmen either looking to make an impact or who have already begun to prove themselves. Sophomore Maddie Lilliock returns to the goalkeeping position after starting in all 19 games in her debut campaign. Sophomore Maddie Merton was the second-leading scorer in her first season, posting six goals while adding a pair of assists. Sophomore Becky Gerhart finished her rookie year ranked third in NCAA Division I with nine defensive saves, making her presence known all season long in the backfield. Sophomore Kathryn Edgar was a strong force in the midfield, especially in the later stages of the season.
"We were in a rebuilding state last year," says Freeman, "and we had a group of freshmen that saw a really good amount of playing time which was huge for us. Becky was really strong in the backfield, Kat played a big role in controlling the midfield, and now we have a sophomore class that is very strong which is great leading into this year. We faced a lot of top teams and proved we could play with those teams, so what's big for us now is that confidence piece. We saw what we're capable of doing."
In a sport without a wealth of statistics to award, many players slide under the radar but are no less important to the success of the team.
"What we try to do is instill a 'team first' mentality," said Freeman. "It's a team sport and we don't want to be self-serving. If one person does well, we all do well. They're really starting to understand that mindset. We also make a point of incorporating different starting lineups. I think we had a different lineup for almost every game last year. That helps to keep everyone empowered and inspired. Every week is a new opportunity to get more minutes and you can earn that right."
The program's other underclassmen are likely to make an impact as well, as the Owls welcome five freshmen including three all-state honorees in Taylor Alba, Dani Batze and Mia Sexton.
Temple's season begins at home as the Owls break in Howarth Field for a second year. They won six games at the brand-new complex a year ago, and were the fourth seed while serving as hosts for the BIG EAST Conference Tournament. The 2017 schedule features nine home contests including two over the opening weekend against Saint Joseph's and Bucknell.
Over the course of 18 regular season games, the Owls will face teams from a total of eight different NCAA Division I conferences including their own BIG EAST (seven games), the Big Ten (two games), the Patriot League (three games), the MAAC (two games), the Atlantic 10 (one game), the America East (one game), the Ivy League (one game) and the MAC (one game).
"We're excited about the competitiveness and challenges this 2017 schedule will bring to our Temple program," said Freeman. "With a wide variety of conferences represented within our schedule, our student-athletes will see diverse playing styles to compete against.
"The work we did this past spring, coupled with the competitive hockey drive our incoming class has shown, will make our 2017 season a great one. I'm excited to build on what the program has been working on over the past two seasons, while continuing to exhibit the philosophical principles this program encompasses."
Two days after opening the season against Saint Joseph's at 6 p.m., Temple will face Bucknell at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 27, but then will not return home for nearly a month. Back-to-back nationally ranked teams await the Owls on the road, as they head to Penn State on Sept. 1, ranked fifth in the final poll of last season, and then to Northwestern on Sept. 8, ranked 13th.
Temple opens its seven-game BIG EAST slate on the road at Providence on Sept. 15, and will face sixth-ranked UConn in the conference home opener on Friday, Sept. 22 at 6 p.m. Other home league games include Villanova, Quinnipiac and Liberty. The Owls will finish the regular season at home against Lafayette on Sunday, Oct. 29.
Providence will serve as the host of the 2017 BIG EAST Championships on Nov. 3-5, featuring the top four of eight teams at the conclusion of the regular season.
Â
 Â
Players Mentioned
M/B
/ Field Hockey
M
/ Field Hockey
M/F
/ Field Hockey
M
/ Field Hockey
B
/ Field Hockey
M
/ Field Hockey
B
/ Field Hockey
GK
/ Field Hockey
F
/ Field Hockey
M
/ Field Hockey
F
/ Field Hockey
GK
/ Field Hockey
M
/ Field Hockey
M
/ Field Hockey
F
/ Field Hockey
F
/ Field HockeyEp. 4: Temple Athletics Weekly Recap; Men's Soccer Captain Lukas Egarter
Tuesday, September 16
Temple Men's Basketball | Babatunde Durodola Day In The Life
Saturday, September 13
Ep. 3: Temple Volleyball Head Coach Linda Hampton-Keith || Lacrosse Student-Athlete Jenna Facciolli
Friday, September 12
Ep. 2: Temple Football Alum Tyler Matakevich || Gymnastics Junior Amelia Budd
Friday, September 05
