CLUB ROUNDUP: M. Hockey plagued by unavoidable confusion

Everyday, unusual things happen in the world. Some can be avoided, but some cannot. This past weekend, the Penn men's hockey team encountered just one of those bizarre instances in the world of sports. During one of their final few games of the season, the Quakers traveled to Lehigh last Friday to take on Kutztown. Unfortunately for Penn, things did not start exactly how the team had expected. Although the principle does not always hold true, this weekend the Quakers found out that Kutztown abides by its schedule almost religiously. Two cars filled with Penn team members didn't arrive at the game until after the first period. And by then, the team was already down 4–0. However, things quickly changed in favor of the newly energized Quakers. Penn battled back, managing to tie the game at six by the end of the second period. Unable to take the lead, the Quakers eventually let up three quick goals in the third period and fell, 9–6. "Even though we lost, the comeback was a positive sign," president Craig Perlmutter said. "In a season plagued by injuries, travel problems and poor play, this was definitely something to build on." Overcoming the loss, the Quakers put on an impressive display Saturday night, winning 12–2 at home against Lock Haven. Senior captain Dave Sopp and sophomore assistant captain Shane Higgins each tallied a hat trick to lead the team. Penn sophomore Mike Magnuson also chipped in, scoring the first goal of his young budding Penn career. This coming weekend, the hockey team finishes the season with a pair of games at home. They take on Maryland Friday and entertain Lehigh in the season finale Sunday. · Before every season, all athletes set goals for what exactly they want to accomplish during the course of the season. This weekend, the Penn men's ski team made sure one of those goals comes to fruition. On the slopes, the Quakers placed third on both Saturday and Sunday, ensuring a trip to regionals. "I'm exited," Penn co-captain Randy Balik said. "This was one of our major goals of the season." Balik led the team on both days. At Penn State's Tussey Mountain Saturday, he finished sixth, followed by sophomore Chris Coli in eighth and junior Jason Stoller in 11th. At White Tale Mountain Sunday, Balik came up strong in fourth place, matching his best finish of the season. Coli and junior Mark Chiang finished back to back in seventh and eighth. It was Chiang's best race of the season following his varsity debut last weekend. In women's results, the Quakers skied to second place both days. Hindi Wilding-White, a potential all-conference skier if she finishes with enough races, placed fifth both days. · In another club highlight from this past weekend, the Penn men's table tennis team hosted its first intercollegiate match of the season in the Hill House pit. Squaring off against Hofstra and SUNY-Stony Brook, the team dropped only one of a possible eight matches. Each match consisted of two singles and a doubles contest. In a move to save money, the teams decided to play both home and away at Penn. President Henry Gosenbrusch, vice president David Rosenzweig and Arny Stux were among the victorious Quakers. The team plays at Hill House against New York University, a southern division foe, Saturday at 12:00 noon. "Our goal is to win the division and advance to play the winner of the northern division," Rosenzweig said.