Much of the Penn men’s soccer team’s early success is due to the cohesiveness and bond of the defensive unit.
During fall break, the No. 23 Quakers have two games, the first on Saturday against Columbia (4-5-1, 0-1-0 Ivy) and the second on Tuesday against American. In both cases, the Red and Blue’s chances are dependent upon the continued dominance of the defense.
The Quakers (7-2-0, 1-0-0) boast an experienced backline anchored by two seniors and two juniors, while senior Jason Gorskie patrols the midfield and senior Ben Berg guards between the pipes.
The two juniors, center backs, Jake Levin and Thomas Brandt have been playing together since they were fifteen. Both played on the Baltimore area club team, Casa Mia Bays.
As a result, the two have almost uncanny chemistry.
“I always know what he’s doing, which really helps the backline,” Brandt, a 2009 Philadelphia Soccer Six All-Star said.
Levin, a 2009 second team all-Ivy selection, expressed similar feelings about his longtime teammate. “Just being next to him,” he said, “brings a comfort level and confidence that carries my game.”
Brandt and Levin decided to come to Penn together and the two have only grown closer since their high-school days — especially now that they live together.
Levin, who missed four games earlier this season due to injury, says returning to the field has made him hungrier and he now plays “like every game is [his] last.”
That ferocity will help, the Quakers’ defense, which has its work cut out for it against Columbia’s attack.
According to Penn coach Rudy Fuller, “Columbia has probably the most dynamic front five or six guys that [the Quakers] have faced so far,” though he said his backline matches up well against the top offenses in the country.
Columbia’s particularly strong attack stems in part from its 4-3-3 formation, which emphasizes attacking more than the common 4-4-2.
However, Fuller is confident that his experienced defense can adjust.
“Our guys are accustomed to all the different systems and defending against them so that’s not a big concern,” he said.
And if the defense wasn’t already motivated, it has another reason to beat the Lions: Columbia is the only Ivy team that the Quakers have lost to in each of the last two seasons.
“I just want to beat them now ... finally,” Levin said.
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