Old Dominion Edges Temple in Field Hockey Match
The Monarchs secured a narrow 2-1 victory over the Owls at Howarth Field on Friday.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Hockey
Old Dominion defeated Temple University 2-1 in a competitive field hockey match. Sofia Marciano clinched the win by scoring the decisive goal late in the fourth quarter.
Why it matters
The outcome significantly shifts the trajectory of both programs as they compete for positioning in the BIG EAST conference. For Temple, the loss creates immediate pressure to improve their conference standing as the season progresses.
Old Dominion controlled the pace with 15 shots compared to Temple’s 8, while both teams finished with three penalty corners. Temple goalkeeper Alex Lepore recorded eight saves during the defensive effort.
The players
Old Dominion
Old Dominion is a collegiate athletic program competing in the BIG EAST conference with a 10-3 overall record.
Temple University
Temple University is a Philadelphia-based institution that currently holds a 5-9 overall record.
Sofia Marciano
Sofia Marciano is a field hockey player who scored the game-winning goal for the Monarchs.
Alex Lepore
Alex Lepore is a goalkeeper for Temple who recorded eight saves during the match against Old Dominion.
Lotte Haagmans
Lotte Haagmans is an Old Dominion player who provided the assist on the game-winning goal.
The details
Sofia Marciano scored the game-winning goal with 9:35 remaining in the fourth quarter after redirecting an assist from Lotte Haagmans. Rozlyn Maciejewski provided the lone goal for Temple, while the team’s defense recorded three total saves.
Timeline
The match took place on October 16, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This result impacts the current BIG EAST conference standings, forcing Temple to adjust its late-season strategy. The win helps solidify Old Dominion’s position as they look toward postseason qualification within the conference.
Temple University now holds a 1-3 record in BIG EAST conference play, which significantly complicates their path to the conference tournament. Old Dominion improves to a 2-2 conference record, keeping them in contention for higher tournament seeding.
The takeaway
Close conference losses often dictate which teams qualify for postseason play in the final weeks of the season. Teams that struggle to convert on penalty corners often find themselves chasing leads in tight defensive contests.
Further reading
For more updates on collegiate sports in the region, visit the Philadelphia Hockey section.
