The women’s soccer team will open Atlantic 10 Conference play on Saturday, Sept. 29, against visiting Saint Joseph’s University at the Ambler Sports Complex at 1 p.m.

“The mentality is that it’s all or nothing now,” junior defender Karly O’Toole said. “It is our time to show what we have worked so hard for in the off-season, summer, and so far this season.”

“We know it’s a city game and a great rivalry,” coach Matt Gwilliam said. “All of our kids know it too and we are extremely excited.”

After a 7-1 loss last season at St. Joe’s, the Owl’s will look to carry their winning record at home this season into Saturday’s game, Gwilliam said.

“We are trying to establish our home field as an unwelcoming place for opponents and we look to continue to get some of the same results that we have had,” Gwilliam said.

A St. Joe’s player to keep an eye on for Saturday’s match is junior forward/midfielder Mo Hawkins, who in last year’s match notched three goals on four shots and recorded an assist as well.

“Coach Gwilliam told us that we have two seasons,” freshman midfielder Katie Burgess said. “We are now beginning our second season as we begin A-10 play.”

Temple will enter Saturday’s match with a 3-6-2 record, while St. Joe’s will begin play with a 5-4-1 record. On the year, the Hawks are 3-3 on the road, while the Owls are 2-1-1 while at home.

“It’s payback time,” O’Toole said. “We do not need a pre-game talk to get excited for this game. After all that we went through last year, we want to show how much we have improved.”

-John Murrow