The Daily Pennsylvanian
With the threat of heavy rain looming in the forecast, the Penn field hockey team entered competition on its home turf for the first time this season.
The Quakers took the field against crosstown rival St. Joseph's.
The suspense was equal to the impending rainy weather, as a fierce defensive battle was only resolved in the extra sudden-death period with a blazing goal by Penn junior Lea Salese, giving the Red and Blue a 2-1 victory.
This was the first game in the Big 5 series for the Quakers (1-2), and the Hawks (2-2) did not make it easy for them early on.
St. Joseph's senior Shannon Scott scored the contest's first goal nine minutes into the game.
Her first goal of the season was soon equaled by a quick play with 11:47 left in the first half. Penn senior Liz Lorelli passed the ball to teammate Cara Calahan, and the junior tallied her first goal of the season.
With the score tied 1-1, both teams showed defensive strength, forcing a sudden death period. Taking advantage of a corner shot play, Salese was able to score 45 seconds into the overtime period. The crowd leapt up along with the team in obvious delight.
"The field was very spread out," Salese said. "I saw the corner was broken up and was able to score. It was a great victory at home."
The win was the first for a Penn team in any sport this season.
Penn coach Val Cloud was particularly impressed with the team's performance and noted the new conditions with which they had to deal.
This was the first time the team was playing on the new Sprinturf in Franklin Field.
The Sprinturf "is slower, it is an advantage in comparison to the Astroturf," Cloud said. "We had some rain today and the ball runs better on wet surface."
Besides the strong play of the juniors, Cloud noted some impressive performances from the younger members of the team.
"I think [sophomore] Melina Tsui has been awesome playing at left midfield," Cloud said. "The two freshmen that played for the first time did well, it is pretty impressive."
The freshman members of the team could not participate in the Quakers' first two games of the season because of New Student Orientation activities.
"I just think the defensive performance at the end of the first half was awesome," Cloud said. "I admire everyone out of there, they were very composed."
The Red and Blue will open up the Ivy League season against a strong Harvard squad this Saturday at Franklin Field. Last year Penn fell to the Crimson, 3-2, in overtime.
PENN 2, St. Joseph's 1
Goals: 1. Scott (S) 9:14; 2. Calahan (P) 11:47; 3. Salese (P) 70:43.
