Saint Joseph's sophomore Morgan Bower scored with 10 seconds remaining in regulation to lift the Hawks' women's soccer team to a 2-1 victory in its season opener at Temple on Friday.
Tied at 1-1 late in the contest, SJU played a long ball up the middle that was kicked over the end line by the Owls, leading to a corner kick. With less than 30 seconds to go, junior Gabrielle Vagnozzi delivered a kick to the far right post. Deflecting off several players, the ball bounced to the left post where an unguarded Bower capitalized as she deflected in the game winner.
With the victory, the Hawks improved to 1-0-0 to start the season for the sixth-straight year.
In the first half, Saint Joseph's opened the scoring in the 18th minute as rookie Mackenzie Ehresman headed in a corner kick by senior Paige Bergman to make it 1-0. With the assist, Bergman matched SJU's all-time assist mark of 18, set by Ellen Stenrud.
The Owls (0-1-0) struck back to tie the game at 1-1 in the 51st minute on a goal by Jules Blank, but goalkeeper Grace Bendon and the Hawks' defense would not allow another tally. Bendon, who made seven saves on the night, moved into a tie for fourth all-time in wins with her 20th victory in an SJU jersey.
Saint Joseph's returns to action on Sunday when it opens the home portion of the schedule at 1 p.m. versus Lehigh.
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