F. Hockey hosts 'Nova tonight

Don't expect the Penn field hockey team to begin its quest for another Ivy championship the same way it did last year. You see, last season the Quakers dropped their opener to Villanova. Fortunately, the Penn team that faces the Wildcats tonight (7 p.m., Franklin Field) is older and more experienced and has no plans to start the season with the same inauspicious debut. Unfortunately, though, the main condition that led to the 2-1 upset last year is still intact. Last year, Villanova had already played three games when the Quakers opened against them. This year, the Wildcats have played two contests before facing Penn. Despite the disparity, Penn coach Anne Sage feels that this season's team is better suited to overcome the challenge. "I think these players will be better prepared because I think they remember what happened last year," Sage said. "We're at a disadvantage but I don't want to make anything out of it. I'd rather think that this team is prepared and they wouldn't let something like that happen." Villanova (1-1), who has lost to future Penn opponent Ursinus 2-1 in overtime and beat La Salle 3-0 so far this season, is led by senior midfielder Staci Verzera, who scored one of the Wildcats' four goals this season and is their leading returning scorer (8 goals, 1 assist). The next leading scorer is senior defender Marianne Connelly (1 goal, four assists last season). Junior goalie Chrissy Thomas (1.2 goals against average last season), who the Quakers hardly bothered last year with a measly five shots, should face a much more unified and fearsome Penn attack. Thomas has given up two goals so far this year. The question that remains, however, is how the Quakers will avoid falling into the same trap as last year – allowing Villanova to control the pace of the game early. "I really think now that we're a year older as a whole team, that we're ready to take charge of the game," senior co-captain and defender Missy Hecht said. "Instead of seeing what they have, we're going to show them what we have. If we do the simple things, it's going to work itself out – but I don't think anyone wants to sit back and wait." Fellow co-captain, senior forward Fran Maguire agrees that a repeat of last year is to be avoided. "Last year, our confidence really went down after we lost to Villanova," Maguire said. "We worried about what we were capable of, and this year we're pretty sure what we're capable of. A lot of teams don't work well together and we're capable of passing really well, and the passing game is what will do it for us." In addition to the passing, Penn has also been working on the little things offensively. "We have to work on the small game – short passes," Maguire said. "We've been working on tip-ins, the cross ball, and drawing the foul inside the circle so we can get a corner. We'll look for that." Fine tuning is also ongoing on the defensive end, where Hecht is the kingpin. "I want to be a more aggressive defender, a more offensively minded defender," Hecht said. "I'm thinking how I get the ball, how I can make things happen." Not coincidentally, the Quakers have made making things happen the game plan for tonight. The idea is to avoid the Wildcats' game experience from forcing Penn's hand. "I want them to take charge out there," Sage said. "I want them to go out and play as if they've played two or three games. I'd like to get off to a good start. Everyone loves to be off to a good start, and I think that's important." The anticipation is obvious among the Quakers as they prepare for the new season. After weeks of practice, finally stepping on the field for a game will be a long-awaited change. "Preseason is great," Hecht said. "It's a good time to work things out, but everyone's ready to get started on the season." Sage agrees, feeling her team is about as well prepared as it can be. "I think you get to a point where this team is experienced and you want to get on with it. I think we're ready."