This Saturday, at 1 p.m., the Temple Owls will host the Niagara Purple Eagles, on Geasey Field.

Last season, the Owls finished with a record of (9-8, 3-4 Atlantic 10 Conference), recently picked to finished fourth in the A-10 Preseason Coaches’ Poll.

The Purple Eagles finished 2012 with a record of (3-11, 0-6 ) and picked to finish seventh in the 2013 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Preseason Coaches’ Poll.

Although the Owls have lost four of the last six season openers, coached by seventh year coach Bonnie Rosen, the team looks to start strong, this year.

The 2012 season opened with a home win against Oregon, which led to a 5-0 non-conference start. The Owls look to repeat those results, in 2013, with Saturday’s home opener being the first of a four home game stretch.

After the loss of multiple starters to graduation and addition of thirteen freshmen, the Owls’ game against Niagara will likely mark the first career start for several players and the first real game action, for freshmen in the rotation.

This game will be the first ever matchup of the Temple and Niagara lacrosse teams.