Here's the NCAA scoop on Penn, Temple women's lacrosse teams

In the case of the Penn and Temple women's lacrosse programs, it's hard to determine which tale trumps the other - making it only fitting to tell both.

NCAA Tournament bids await both teams, thanks to regular-season runs that included their respective conference championships, and for Penn, a No. 1 national ranking following an 11-7 defeat of former top dog Northwestern.

But the Quakers (14-1) are No. 2 in the tournament and host Colgate (11-9), while Temple (13-6) travels to No. 3 Maryland (17-2) in first-round action Sunday.

Over the past 2 years, Penn boasted three All-Americans, claimed back-to-back Ivy League titles and made a Final Four run. A run that coach Karin Brower is quick to mention didn't come by way of blue-chip recruiting, but is derived from mentally preparing her team to play as one.

"We are unique in the sense that we aren't like most top teams you see out there," said Brower. "We don't get the top recruits or that U.S. under-19 national team player. We just have girls that have a great work ethic. I tell you what, I'd take a team concept over that one superstar any day of the week."

A team concept along with sound coaching have the Owls singing a similar tune to their cross-town counterpart, as Temple wrapped up the Atlantic 10 title under second-year coach Bonnie Rosen.

Rosen came to Temple as the third head coach in 4 years and has led the Owls to their best start since 2002, while capturing the A-10's Coach of the Year honor and being named the US Lacrosse Coach of the Week at the end of April.

"I came to Temple to provide some stability in the program," Rosen said. "I came in really trying to teach the fundamentals, and the amazing thing about this team is that my seniors have really taken that approach and have come in with a mission to win. They wanted to be winners and they have led this group.

"You don't see the positive things until you see the positive results," Rosen added. "It started last year for us and I am looking for our positive efforts to continue."

On Sunday, those two separate stories will share the same goal.

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