F. Hockey seeks to repeat history against Ursinus

The theme for the 1995 Penn field hockey team has been change. Gone from last year's squad are the head coach, offensive catalyst, defensive leader and goalkeeper. But despite the enormous turnover in personnel, little has changed since last year where it counts -- in the standings. After five games, the Quakers' record stands at 4-1 -- just like last year. Penn has posted wins against St. Joseph's, Villanova, Lafayette and Dartmouth -- just like last year. The Quakers suffered a disappointing loss to Delaware -- just like last year. The team now hopes it can continue to follow in the footsteps of the 1994 squad, at least for one more game. With a 4-1 record heading into this afternoon's 3:30 p.m. matchup at Ursinus, Penn hopes to repeat last year's 6-0 blowout of the Bears. It will be difficult for the Quakers to match last season's six-goal outburst. Ursinus's natural grass field tends to slow down the tempo of the game, forcing a more defensive approach. How Penn adjusts to the grass will be a key to the game, since the Quakers are used to playing on the fast turf of Franklin Field. However, the Quakers should be able to respond to a defense-oriented game. While forwards Kara Philbin, Amy Shapiro and Abby Herbine have captured the headlines with their late-game heroics, the defensive unit has been the bedrock foundation of the team's success. Leading the rebuilt defense has been senior Sue Quinn. While Penn has been forced to infuse new talent into the backfield unit with the graduation of three key defensemen, Quinn has provided leadership and stability to a squad that has allowed only seven goals in the five games. Quinn is a four-year starter and has yet to miss a game in her entire career. "The backbone of our defense is definitely Sue Quinn," senior defenseman Jessica Gilhorn said. Quinn is complemented in the backfield by Michele Canuso-Bedesem, a prototype stay-at-home defenseman. Only a sophomore, Canuso-Bedesem plays like a seasoned veteran, reading field situations and starting up-field rushes. Canuso-Bedesem also gives the Quakers a physical presence on defense. Rounding out the defensive unit are Gilhorn and junior Curran Kelly. Gilhorn began her Quakers career as a forward, moved to midfield and now starts on defense. Most of Kelly's experience comes as a midfielder as well. But both have become dominant players in front of Penn's net. "Playing defense is a lot easier than playing midfield," Gilhorn said. "As a midfielder, you have to balance offense and defense. Now I can just concentrate on stopping the ball from getting to the net." Of course, the defense has had insurance all season in the form of freshman goalkeeper Sarah Dunn. "We know if the ball should get back there, she'll protect us," Gilhorn said. "It was pretty scary going into the season with a freshman in net. But she's proved herself." With a 1.40 goals-against-average, Dunn allows the defenders to take more chances, such as jumping up on offense to spark the transition game. "Sometimes coach [Val] Cloud will yell at me to move up on a play," Gilhorn said. "With Sarah and Sue back there, we know we're pretty safe." Despite the recent setback against Delaware, Penn should have little trouble disposing of the Division III Bears. "But we can't take any team lightly," Gilhorn said. "We've developed a nice reputation in field hockey, and we know Ursinus is going to be targeting us."