Soccer club has impressive season; W/ Rugby wins title

In September the members of the Penn men's soccer club team brushed the dirt off their cleats with simple hopes of getting back on the field for a competitive match. Not only has the squad returned to action, but it's compiled an impressive 4-1-1 record through its first season. The club notched four consecutive convincing victories over area club and varsity teams to complete its season. A 2-1 defeat of Philadelphia Community College set the Quakers off on their undefeated rally. Senior Mike Kibler and sophomore Kelly Jones combined for two goals in a very physical game. "It was a good solid win for us," senior Jeff Lignelli said. "The team was a bunch of hacks. I'm really surprised it was their varsity." Following this win came a strong defeat of the Princeton club team by a 4-2 score. Jones was on a torrid scoring pace throughout the game, with two of the four Quaker goals. Senior Okogbue Okezie added another goal with a great breakaway drive. His speed and effort have been a threat to opponents throughout the season. Senior Andy Weiss put the final touch on the game, a "highlight-film" shot floating into the upper-left corner from 35 yards. "We were happy because we were another Penn team to beat Princeton," Lignelli said. The Quakers played their best game of the year in a 2-1 defeat of Bucks County Community College. Bucks County came into the game with a 10-1 record and a clinched position in their regional playoffs. With intense offensive pressure and strong defensive play, the Quakers, consequently playing one man down, pulled off an impressive win. A strong individual effort by freshman Javier Villar gave Penn its only goals. "They used us as a practice game but we beat them with 10 players," Lignelli said. "Javier capitalized on two great opportunities and he finished the plays off well." In the squad's final game of the season, it outmatched and outplayed the Haverford club team, winning 3-1. The Quakers pulled ahead and rarely looked back after an early start with a goal by Okezie 30 seconds into the game. "They were out for a Sunday drive," Lignelli said. "At one point they wanted to stop the game because we were too aggressive." This first year of men's club soccer was extremely successful. The team's late start and inexperience was overcome by talent and desire. The key to this successful squad was a strong defensive foundation, and seniors Carson Biederman and Mike Leraris provided that stability. "It was fun playing soccer every week in a competitive setting," Lignelli said. "We're passing the future of the team on to some talented young members." · Penn fans can now boast of another league champion. The women's rugby squad beat Bucknell 13-5 on October 30th to finish off its undefeated season with a 4-0 record in its division of the EPRU (Eastern Pennsylvania Rugby Union). The freezing cold temperatures, rain and muddy field didn't stop the Quakers from defeating the powerful Bison. The game, dominated by offensive play, was one that the squad needed in order to clinch a division title and a shot at the regional championship. Senior Christie March, a veteran player, started the Quaker scoring with her first career try. March, a hooker – that's her position – put the squad up 8-5 on this 'try-line' dive into the goal. Freshman Lee Branson, playing in her first match, followed up the scoring with her own try. Junior Kara Sandler polished of the victory with a penalty kick late in the game. "This was our hardest game," junior Kristine Daniels said . "We knew we had to beat them to clinch [the championship]. They were much bigger than us physically but we stepped up our level of play." Following this emotional win came a disappointing loss to a strong Princeton team in the union finals. The squad fell to the Tigers 32-6, but came in second overall in the 10-team Union, a major victory for the team as a whole considering it tallied only two wins in the fall and spring season combined last year, one due to a forfeit. The Princeton club was a strong team in every manner. The Tigers anticipated quicker and set up a multitude of plays very well. The Quaker backs didn't receive the ball often, and when they did Princeton smothered them. "We were with them in the first half but we fell behind in the second," Daniels said. "We did take three of their players out. Two of them had to be carried of the field. They were powerful but reckless. It payed off for them." Thoughts on the upcoming spring season have outweighed the celebration of this undefeated season. The squad has a fleet of new rookies who now have some experience to feed off. The Quakers are looking forward to a new style of play and a new line up in the future. They still have eastern championships to look forward to as a culmination to this exciting season. "We want to raise our level of play," Daniels said. "We're looking forward to the eastern championships. Penn women's rugby has never been there before."