Soccer teams are primed to upset Bears

Men relish playing role of the underdog "We like being the underdogs. We like surprising people," junior co-captain Andrew Kralik said. When Penn men's soccer team faces Brown tomorrow in Providence, Kralik will certainly get the first half of what he likes. No. 16 Brown (8-2-1, 3-0-1 Ivy League) is currently leading the Ivy League, while the Quakers are fifth. It will be a challenge for the Quakers (4-5, 1-2) to fulfill the second half of their goalkeeper's desires. However, Penn has done the unexpected before, shocking everyone but themselves in upsetting then-No. 13 Columbia. "There's nothing we can't counter with our players," junior co-captain Steve Marcinkiewicz said. "Overall, we've got a better team, but Brown works together when it counts. It all depends on which team comes out to play." Last year the Quakers defeated the Bears 1-0 at Rhodes Field. At the time, Brown had been on a tear, winning games against top-ranked Virginia and North Carolina. The loss to Penn eliminated Brown from national tournament contention. Penn will be focusing on Brown senior forward Darren Eales. Eales has half the Bears' goals this season, and ranks first in team scoring. However, Eales is not Brown's only offensive threat. Midfielders Aaron Fernandes and Shaun Harkin, the Bears' assist leaders, supply Eales with most of his goal opportunities. On the defensive end, junior goalkeeper Tim Webb has four shutouts on the season, and needs only one more to tie the school record. "Brown is very dangerous," Marcinkiewicz said. "We need to play tough defense all over the field. We're going to mark up tight on Darren Eales. We're looking to play the ball wide and get it to the forwards." Penn knows all about Brown, since the Bears have changed little since the teams last met. The Quakers feel they have improved, and are determined to play their own style against the Bears. "We need to come out tough," junior forward Pat Larco said. "We have to knock the ball around the midfield and give our forwards time to open up. No matter who we've played, we have always made opportunities to score. We just have to finish them." Starting out strong will be the key for the Quakers' offense. When Penn faced Lafayette Wednesday, the Quakers gave up a goal during the first minute of play. A lapse like that could prove critical against Brown. "We need to work on pre-game preparation," Marcinkiewicz said. "Against Lafayette we came out flat and they scored 45 seconds into the game. We need to concentrate for 90 minutes." Each of the Quakers knows his role, and is determined to get the job done. For Larco, who received a red card against Florida International and had to sit out the next game at Florida Atlantic, that is particularly important. "I have to keep my composure," Larco said. "I know I'll get my chances. I've got to make sure when I get those chances I'm awake. Whether or not I score, I have to be sure the ball is on target." Despite the team's losing record and the loss of freshman defender Brad Copeland for the season with a broken collarbone, Penn has a positive attitude going into Providence. "We've got to be tougher mentally," Marcinkiewicz said. "We're not down on ourselves. Physically, we're in very good condition. We can't afford to lose another game." Penn tends to play to the level of its opponents. At no time was this more evident than in the Columbia victory. The Quakers hope to rise to the occasion again tomorrow. Kralik and the Penn underdogs want to surprise the Bears.