M. Soccer needs new attitude

It's time for an attitude adjustment and some goal scoring. That's the outlook of the Penn men's soccer team as it travels to Easton to face Lehigh this afternoon at 4. Penn (1-2) is looking to extend its winning streak against the Engineers to four games. "We've got to play to our strengths," Penn coach George O'Neill said. "We're going to change the lineup a bit and make some adjustments. We've got guys who can do the job defensively and players with a bit of flair and creativity." Penn has not had a winning season in nine years. To end that streak, the Quakers will have to eliminate the mental lapses that have plagued them during the past two losses -- at American and Dartmouth. They see today's game as a step toward respectability. "Everyone's pretty frustrated," sophomore defender Alan Waxman said. "We're missing a little piece to be a great team, and I don't think anybody knows what it is. We've got great players, but we haven't put it together." The Quakers hope to exploit the weaker Engineers. Lehigh is unpredictable as well as beatable. The Engineers are led by a nucleus of sophomores, and usually do not play to the same level as Ivy League competition. The Quakers hope to exploit the Engineers' relative youth, playing the ball along the sidelines, and into the goal. "There's no reason we should be losing the way that we are," freshman defender Brad Copeland said. "We've got the talent to win. I'm expecting us to go out and play hard, to put the ball in their net and keep it out of ours. More importantly, we've got to work together." Defensive pressure may be the key to the game. Against Dartmouth Sunday, the Quakers man-to-man style was ineffective. The Big Green was stronger and faster, and created man advantages after beating Penn defenders. "We have to start marking better, playing a lot closer to them and not letting them turn when they have the ball," Waxman said. "If they're going to beat you, it'll be one-on-one. You have to let them know you're there. We've got to make them pay for it." Most Quakers believe it was a matter of little mistakes, things that can be corrected with a little work, that led to defeat in Hanover. Added experience for young defenders and the return of senior midfielder Brian Brown may help spark the Quakers. "They've realized what they're doing wrong," O'Neill said. "You've got to put mistakes behind you, work on them and put the ball in the back of the net. It's just a matter of confidence." While some of the Quakers are frustrated, others are hopeful of success against a young Engineers squad. "After playing somewhat well in the first half, the loss to Dartmouth was disheartening," junior forward Pat Larco said. "I don't think we've lost any intensity. The team realizes we have the potential to be great." A little game experience and a lot of practice later, the Quakers are ready to take on Lehigh. The long bus ride home from Dartmouth is over, but not forgotten. The trip from mediocrity will take much longer. This afternoon, the journey continues.