Blackwell finally warms up in '97

After a slow start caused by an injury to his ankle, Penn junior forward Morgan Blackwell has come on strong of late. Scoring three goals in the past three games, in which the Quakers have gone 1-1-1, Blackwell's resurgence has helped spark the Quakers. As the only Quaker to score in the first seven games last year, the beginning of this season was frustrating for Blackwell, who scored his first goal 12 games into the season. The 1997 junior captain led last year's team with six goals and earned honorable mention All-Ivy honors. After twisting his ankle in the September 17 La Salle game, Blackwell's level of play decreased dramatically. The injury not only affected him physically, but also mentally. "The injury deterred my confidence," Blackwell said. "I was always out there nervous of how my body was going to do in all of those situations." Although he felt he was letting the team down, Blackwell knew everyone was behind him. "The team is always real supportive," Blackwell said. "Everyone works for each other. If I don't play, or I am injured I have no doubt the rest of the team can do the job just as well without me." Penn coach George O'Neill tried to boost Blackwell's confidence in the first month of the season. O'Neill continually reminded him to take the shot if he had the opportunity and not to be afraid to miss. The Penn coach is pleased in Blackwell's turnaround, knowing his exceptional capabilities. "Morgan is an exciting type of player, because he is so explosive with his speed," O'Neill said. "He has a quick pace and very quick feet. When he gets up to somebody, he can make a few moves and knock it right by." While Blackwell's injury limited his scoring in the beginning of the season, fellow junior forward Steve Cohen emerged and carried the offensive load for the Quakers. With both Cohen and Blackwell healthy up top, O'Neill feels that the team will benefit the rest of this year and beyond. As for the Quakers' disappointing 4-9-1 record (1-4 Ivy League), Blackwell feels the team's attitude was a factor. "We had more heart last year than we do this year," Blackwell said. "We won those first two games [this season]. After that we got the feeling we were unbeatable and would win no matter what. That hurt us, because like last weekend [against Brown], we went up two goals and gave them away afterwards." This weekend Penn heads to New Haven, Conn., to face the Elis. Still in the Ivy League hunt, Yale (8-4-1, 2-1-1) is led by midfielder Hiro Suzuki, midfielder Craig Yacks and forward Jac Gould. Unlike Yale, the Quakers are out of the hunt. Even in their situation, Blackwell feels the games remaining are useful for the team. "The main thing is to keep our morale up, keep trying as hard as we can, and work on things that are going to be valuable for us next year," Blackwell said. Blackwell came into the season with great expectations. After playing through a month on an injured ankle, the Penn forward has found the back of the net and regained his confidence. With only a few games remaining, Blackwell and the Quakers are planning to make the most of it.

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