PHILADELPHIA – A second-half rally came up short for the Saint Joseph's women's lacrosse team on Wednesday evening, as the Hawks dropped a 12-9 decision at Temple.
 
Temple struck early, building a 3-0 lead in the opening six minutes of play. The Owls extended the advantage to 5-0 before Alexa Capozzoli put Saint Joseph's on the board with 38 seconds remaining in the first quarter.
 
The Hawks' defense responded, holding Temple scoreless for more than 15 minutes spanning the first and second quarters. Devon Maillet and Machaela Henry each found the back of the net during that stretch, trimming the deficit to 5-3 heading into halftime.
 
Saint Joseph's continued to push in the second half. Megan Sanelli accounted for two of the first three goals after the break as the teams traded scores throughout the third quarter. Riley Miller added her lone goal of the contest to cut the deficit to one entering the final 15 minutes.
 
Kate Fuhrman tied the game at 8-8 less than three minutes into the fourth quarter. After Temple regained the lead, Capozzoli answered just 40 seconds later with her second goal of the night to knot the score with nine minutes remaining. The Owls pulled ahead again with 5:35 to play and added two insurance goals down the stretch to secure the 12-9 victory.

 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Megan Sanelli and Alexa Capozzoli each recorded two goals.
• Kate Furhman tallied a goal and a game-high three assists.
• Riley Miller won six draw controls as the Hawks held a 14-8 advantage on draws.
• Emma Yoder notched her first career assist.
• Saint Joseph's outshot Temple, 35-24, and held a 23-18 edge in shots on goal, but was slowed by a 14-save performance (.609 save percentage) from Temple goalkeeper Riley Horoshko.
• Liana Moli made six saves in net for the Hawks.

 
UP NEXT
Saint Joseph's continues its road stretch with another local matchup at Villanova on Tuesday, Feb. 17. First draw is scheduled for 2 p.m.