W. Lax destroyed by physical Owls

As the SEPTA subway and bus lines skidded to a halt on Tuesday, the Penn women's lacrosse team was wishing its frustrating three-game skid would do the same. But in the proverbial Penn-Temple subway series, the Owls proved the Quakers' slide would only stop if they, too, went on strike. Penn (1-4) continued its ongoing slump, reaching the low point of the young season with an embarrassing 12-1 loss to No. 8 Temple. "Temple played very well," Penn coach Anne Sage said, "and we were embarrassing -- we just didn't play. I wish I could make excuses, but there are none." The Owls' physical game led to an aggressiveness the Quakers couldn't handle. "If they wanted the ball, they'd get it," freshman Emmy Hansel said. "They got every loose ball, and created lots of turnovers." Temple's physical game not only hurt the hapless Quakers but intimidated them as well. "They were pretty rough, when we weren't chasing them around the field," freshman midfielder Darah Ross said. Penn never had a chance in the matchup, as Temple dominated in every aspect. The first half was simply a massacre. Temple jumped out to a 7-1 lead, including four goals in a three-minute span. The Quakers' lone goal was scored by attacker Lori Frutkin on an assist from sophomore Amy Tarr. After that half, things only got worse, as Penn was shut out in the second half while the Owls got five additional goals. The defensive side was just as horrendous for Penn. Temple attempted 42 shots on goal, compared to the Red and Blue's 11, and Penn committed a number of turnovers, which has frustrated the team lately. If there was any bright star in Penn's galaxy, it was goalie Alexis Seth, who racked up 24 saves, while allowing 12 to go through, for a season-high .666 save percentage. The Penn squad, which racked up respectable performances against Villanova and Loyola, has now played a completely different game against Harvard, Cornell and the Owls. "It seems that once we're down by a number of goals, the team just gives up," Hansel said. Not playing up to potential is eating at the hearts of the entire team. "You reach a point where you begin to question what you can do," Sage said. "In the young season you try to improve and get better, but we're not getting any better." The team also suffers from a lack of unity, which has been affecting it both on and off the field." "The team is thinking all individually, not team-wise. We're all trying to improve through individual achievement," Hansel said. "Everyone seems to have the answer, but it's a lack of communication, and a lack of team play. I think different combinations is where that will lead us, as well as improve our work rate," Sage said. With a four-game home stretch beginning this weekend the Quakers have a chance to redeem themselves on their own turf. Regardless of the SEPTA standoff, Penn hopes to get rolling in the right direction.