W. Soccer res. vs. Delaware: W. Soccer's lack of offense leads to loss – again

The four-year old beat up on the three-year old. In the battle of two very young women's soccer programs, Delaware (10-4-1) showed no tri-state hospitality as it blanked the visiting Penn squad (3-8-1) by a 2-0 score. The three-year old Quaker program became reinfected with a problem that has plagued it throughout its history – a lack of offense – as Penn was shut out for the second game in a row and the sixth time this season. The game was especially frustrating for the team's veterans, as they were seeking retribution for last year's agonizing 1-0 loss to the Blue Hens. However, Penn added to its frustration with yesterday's loss, a game many Quakers felt that they was not emotionally ready for. "We were definitely not mentally ready for the game," freshman forward Yuka Morita said. "We just didn't play the way we should have played." The turning point of the game came 13 minutes, 55 seconds into the first half when Delaware star Kristy Hendrickson scored her team-leading ninth goal of the season from 12 yards out. Hendrickson also leads the Blue Hens in points with 27. Fellow Hens Kelly Butler and Beth Hatt received the assists. The Quakers closed out the first half only down 1-0, but the second half resulted in more of the same for Penn as it continued to struggle on offense – only managing three shots on goal for the entire game. As the game was in its final minutes, Nicole Shea iced it for Delaware with the Blue Hens' second score. Hatt received her second assist for the game along with a place in the Blue Hen record books. She set a new standard for Delaware freshmen, as she recorded her 21st point of the season. Adding to Penn's disappointments was the fact that the Quakers came into Delaware on a mini-roll. They were 2-1 in their last three games with a only narrow loss (1-0) to Brown in Penn's last game. However yesterday's game, sandwiched between Ivy League opponents Brown and Yale, seemed ripe for a Quaker letdown. However the team showed no indication that they were going to exhibit a lack of desire before the game. According to Penn coach Suzette Wolf, the Quakers were on an emotional high from their strong game against Brown and looked sharp in practice. However, Wolf also felt that the team lacked intensity. "It was a definite off game for us," Wolf said. "We were a little bit slow [and] fatigued." Several Quakers mentioned that if they played yesterday like they did against Brown, they would have beaten Delaware. "[The game] shows we have to be hungry for the ball if we want to win," freshman midfielder Lisa Paster said. Another lesson to learn in the growing process.