PHILADELPHIA, Pa . – A second half goal from Yusuf Cueceoglu helped the Villanova Wildcats earn a 1-1 draw at Temple Wednesday night in a match halted after 70 minutes due to thunderstorms in the area. Villanova moved its record to 5-3-1 overall while the Owls are now 3-4-2.
           "There was a lot of lightning in the area and certainly safety becomes the most important consideration," stated Villanova head coach Tom Carlin, whose team is now 1-0-1 in Philly Soccer Six action this season.
The contest was even in the early minutes before Temple executed the first big play of the night. The Owls Lucas Fernandes collected the ball onside near the top of the box and eased in on Wildcats goalkeeper Carson Williams. A low shot into the right corner of the net at 17:35 vaulted Temple into the early lead.
The Wildcats responded with some quality pressure that resulted in a chance for sophomore midfielder Theo Quartey in the 32nd minute. However, Quartey's shot was saved by Temple goalkeeper Simon Lefebvre.
At halftime, Temple retained its 1-0 advantage thanks to a 7-4 edge in shots. The Owls had three corner kicks to one for Villanova.
"I thought our possessions in the first half were really good," noted Carlin. "But we didn't do enough to finish those. We talked about creating a sense of urgency in the second half."
As they have on multiple occasions in 2018, the Wildcats brought early heat as the second half began. Another bid by Quartey – this off a volley near the top of the box – forced Lefebvre to make another save, this one more challenging than the one in the first period.
After Lefebvre made a save on Yusuf Cueceoglu, the Wildcats converted a chance off a set piece. This time it was a familiar connection as senior Zach Zandi fed Cueceoglu, who headed the ball into the net at 53:47. The goal was the native of Germany's fifth of 2018 and third in the last three outings.
"Yusuf's been dangerous," Carlin said. "He's been very elusive and tonight may have been the first time he scored with his head."
Not long after the Wildcats score, rain began falling and its intensity rapidly increased at the Temple Sports Complex. That didn't stop Williams from being well positioned to stop a re-directed Temple header from Justin Hahn in the 60th minute.
With lightning in the area, the officials halted play not long after the contest became official in the 70th minute.
           The Wildcats resume action on Saturday when DePaul (4-5 overall, 1-1 BIG EAST). Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. A web stream will be available via the Nova Nation All-Access Pass at villanova.com.
