Once the snow started falling on Franklin Field midway through the first half, the Penn women's lacrosse team was well on its way to its first victory in 10 years over Temple.
The Owls did not know what hit them, as the Quakers exploded for five goals in the first 9:47 of the game en route to a 10-6 victory.
Sophomore attacker Emily Cochran netted four goals, giving her 18 on the season, and added an assist on a brilliant pass to freshman Chrissy Muller. She also picked up a yellow card late in the second half of a fiercely physical game.
"Our last four games she's been playing out of her mind," Penn head coach Karin Brower said.
Penn improved to 4-2 while Temple dropped to 1-1 on the season.
The early attack was a key part of the Quakers' game plan.
"Our goal was to come out and be up by at least five goals in the first 10 minutes," Cochran said.
The Quakers were ahead, 5-1, at the 10-minute mark, and that was close enough for Brower, who notched her first win over Penn's crosstown rival in her five years at the helm for the Red and Blue.
Penn extended its lead to as much as six goals in a very chippy game, featuring six yellow cards and numerous other whistles. Many of the Temple fans in attendance repeatedly expressed their displeasure with the officiating, but Brower felt that the crew did a fine job.
"It's a big rivalry and been always a rough game," she said. "We could have played a little bit more and had less calls but I also think they are a physical team and the refs did a nice job of calling the game."
The Quakers offense was driven by their fast breaks and well-executed plays. They also made the most of their offensive opportunities, while the Owls failed to score on several point-blank chances.
On defense, Penn shut Temple down for most of the game, allowing only 14 shots. Cochran felt that the Quakers' strategy of leaving open players to double the ball led to their success.
"The key was taking risks," she said.
Brower felt that the strong defensive play, especially in the second half, was largely due to stopping the Owls' cutters from finding open space in the middle of the field.
"We ... took that away from them," she said.
Temple's two second-half goals came in the last 10 minutes, after the game was out of reach.
Sophomore attacker Ali Ryan also had a hat trick for the Red and Blue, which gave her seven goals on the season.
Muller added a goal and an assist, while junior Katie Spofford picked up her seventh goal of the year.
Spofford sprained her ankle after Ryan's third goal with five minutes remaining in the first half, but returned midway through the second. Brower said that the injury is not serious and expects Spofford to play on Saturday at Yale, as the Quakers open their Ivy League schedule against the Elis.
Junior Alex Thomas scored her first goal of the season with 10:32 remaining in the game to round out the Quakers' scoring.
Penn forced Temple's starting goalie, junior Megan McLouth, out of the net twice. She was replaced in the first half after Ryan's third goal trickled by her off a redirected shot with 3:48 remaining. Earlier, she allowed a soft shot by Ryan to sneak in between her legs.
She was again removed in the second half after Thomas' lone goal. Her replacement, sophomore Dawn Yergy, made one save and allowed no goals in her time between the pipes.
The last time Penn defeated Temple before last night's game was March 29, 1994, when the Quakers won, 12-10, in overtime.
Brower said that "it feels very good" to have finally defeated Penn's rivals from North Broad Street.
Temple 6, PENN 10
First half -- 1 (P) Cochran 15, 1:52; 2 (P) Ryan 5, 2:06; 3 (T) Pulaski 5, 4:11; 4 (P) Ryan 6, 4:38; 5 (P) Spofford 7, 6:44; 6 (P) Cochran 16, 9:47; 7 (T) Pulaski 6, 14:46; 8 (T) Leader 2, 15:45; 9 (P) Cochran 17, 19:29; 10 (P) Muller 6, 21:36; 11 (P) Ryan 7, 25:09; 12 (T) Cech 2, 26:12
Second half -- 13 (P) Cochran 18, 11:46; 14 (P) Thomas 1, 19:28; 15 (T) Cataldo 3, 20:14; 16 (T) Cech 3, 27:38
