Temple field hockey fueled by senior Youtz

On a hot and mostly sunny September afternoon three years ago, a freshman forward on Temple's field hockey team took a pass from then-senior Bridget Settles and sent it through the legs of Lafayette's goalkeeper to register the first goal of her collegiate career.

The Owls fell by 4-2 in that game - one of numerous defeats during what would become their fourth straight losing season.

But three years have made a big difference at Geasey Field on Temple's main campus.

Last weekend against the Leopards, that former freshman - Amber Youtz - scored her 25th goal of the season for an Owls team that's currently ranked No. 16 in the nation. With her 25 goals, Youtz leads all Division I scorers and has become the highest scorer Temple has seen in more than two decades.

"It's really awesome to have an honor like that," said Youtz, who was second team all-American as a junior. "But it just goes to show you what our team is like this season. . . . It's a good reflection of our team."

Youtz, from Central Dauphin High in Harrisburg, arrived at Temple in 2011. She started every game as a freshman and quickly became one of the program's most reliable players.

As a sophomore, she broke her nose in a game against Lock Haven, yet scored the game-winning goal in overtime. As a junior, she broke her arm in a matchup at Villanova and later returned to score two goals.

"I love having her up on the forward line . . . she's just such a smart player," said senior midfielder Nicole Kroener, Youtz's roommate.

Youtz, who has spent time practicing with the U.S. national team, maintains that her end goal is to someday become a coach.

On Saturday, the forward will don a Temple jersey for her last home game, against defending NCAA champion and No. 4-ranked Connecticut. That game will help decide where the Owls are seeded in next week's Big East Conference tournament.