W. SOCCER RES. VS LEHIGH: W. Soccer puts on offensive show in 5-2 win

The Penn women's soccer team (1-3-1) came into Thursday's contest against Lehigh (3-6) in an unaccustomed position – on equal footing with the opponent . It came out of the game in just as unfamiliar a position, as 5-2 winners over the Engineers. "It was our most winnable game so far," senior captain and goalkeeper Debbie Goldklang said. "In past years we've always played with them, and we were hungry for our first win." This was a game the Quakers absolutely had to have, and they responded, completely overpowering a weaker Engineers squad. Their determination and drive coming into the bone-chilling cold of this contest made them seem calm at the results of the game. "I knew we were going to win," Penn coach Suzette Wolf said. "We're a better team – stronger, faster, and more decisive." Lehigh scored first, but the undaunted Quakers tied the game up minutes later. With only 2:26 left in the half, freshman defender Anne Davies put the Quakers into the lead for the first time – in not only this game, but in this entire season. And that was not the end of the Penn scoring. Though the Quakers gave up a quick goal coming out of halftime, they responded once again with three second-half goals – more than they had scored in the season thus far. Penn had a balanced attack, leaving Lehigh's freshman goalie completely confused. In fact, she may have even helped the Quakers by positioning herself too far back into the net to save some of the shots. She actually caught two shots only after they had crossed the goal line. Penn sophomore midfielder Heike Krippendorff broke the 2-2 deadlock by scoring Penn's third goal of the game, a monster shot from 40 yards out, the first of her collegiate career. "Heike lit a fire under the team," Wolf said. "Her goal cracked the ice." She was followed two minutes later by sophomore midfielder Kelly Nolan, who made a penalty shot over a wall of Lehigh-brown shirts. The final goal of the game was scored with under six minutes remaining, off a header in a scramble in front of the net. But the Penn win was not without cost, as the Franklin Field turf may have claimed more than just the Lehigh team as victims. Sophomore midfielder Tonya Kolodziejski went down with 4:58 remaining in the first half, needing assistance to leave the field. "Tonya planted her foot, and strained her knee," Wolf said. "It's not good, whatever it is." Despite her injury, Kolodziejski remained upbeat and positive. "Everyone's mind is set," Kolodziejski said. "This is the turning point [for the season]." While Penn's offense was hot, the Quakers also managed to shut down Lehigh's star midfielder Dia Johnson. Thanks to the efforts of a powerful defense, Penn held the Engineers to few shots on goal. Davies and Nolan excelled on both ends of the field, both scoring goals and keeping Lehigh in its own end. "It's a really great feeling," Nolan said. "We really needed a win," The Quakers believe that the game will serve as both an icebreaker and a boost for the rest of the season. "It gives us confidence and hope," freshman defender Heather Herson said. "Now we know we can score. We know we can win." "It was a well-deserved win," Goldklang said. "It's a relief knowing we can put the ball in the net. We played with a lot more confidence. And this is just the beginning."

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