TEMPLE, TX — On a chilly Friday evening at Wildcat Stadium, the Temple Tem-Cats proved that patience is a virtue. After a defensive stalemate in the first half, Temple ignited for two goals in the final 40 minutes to secure a 2-0 shutout victory over the Copperas Cove Lady Bulldawgs in District 12-6A action.

The win moves the Tem-Cats to 3-2 in district play, keeping them firmly in the hunt for a top seed as the playoff race intensifies.

Breaking the Deadlock

The first half featured plenty of physicality but little breathing room, as both sides headed into the locker room deadlocked at 0-0. However, the momentum shifted quickly after the break.

Temple finally found the back of the net when Avery Perez connected on a clinical strike, set up by a well-timed assist from Yaqueline Martinez. With the ice broken, the Tem-Cats doubled their advantage later in the half. Alaina Flores punctuated the night with a goal of her own, courtesy of a sharp delivery from Sterling Griffith.

A Wall of Blue and White

While the offense provided the highlights, the victory was anchored by a disciplined backline. Goalkeeper Skylar Licudine earned the clean sheet, but she wasn't alone in the effort. The defensive trio of Maya Ramirez, Bella Mitchan, and Isa Diaz shut down the Copperas Cove counterattack, limiting the Lady Bulldawgs' looks at the net.

Despite the individual stat lines, Head Coach Keith Clinscales was quick to praise the collective mentality of his squad.

"This was a total team effort from the opening kickoff to the final buzzer," Clinscales said. "Every player on the pitch contributed to this result."

Star of the Night

Player of the Match: Sterling Griffith
Griffith’s vision and work rate in the midfield kept the Temple offense churning, culminating in the crucial assist that helped put the game out of reach.

What's Next:

The Tem-Cats will look to carry this momentum on the road as they travel to take on Harker Heights this Tuesday, February 10. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM.