Quakers sneak out with a tie

A goal by Yuka Morita with just 43 seconds left in regulation salvaged a 2-2 overtime draw for the Penn women's soccer team late last night against Bucknell in Lewisburg, Pa. For Morita, a swift junior midfielder, it was the first goal of the season and it could not have come at a better time. Were it not for the late-game heroics, Penn (2-2-1) would have fallen under .500 for the first time this season. The Quakers drew first blood just five minutes after the opening whistle. Sophomore Darah Ross found the net for the second consecutive game, the kind of play that has earned her a place on this week's Ivy League Honor Roll. Becky Dalton picked up an assist on the goal. Bucknell (4-2-1) quickly answered as Kerry McDonnell notched her first tally of the year in the 10th minute. That levelled the score at 1-1, where it would remain until shortly after halftime. In the 47th minute, Amy Riviera took a pass from star Bison forward Liz Woodrow and knocked the ball past Penn goalkeeper Amelia Urban. That assist was all that Woodrow, who averages over a goal per game, could muster against the aggressive marking of Penn defender Jill Brown. But despite relentless pressure from the Quakers, Bucknell's 2-1 advantage was holding up -- until the final minute. Penn forced Bison keeper Becky Snover to make 21 saves to Urban's 11. Another indication of the visitors' offensive dominance was their huge 12-2 advantage in corner kicks earned. All these opportunities set the stage for Morita to receive a pass from sweeper Heather Herson and send the contest into half an hour of scoreless overtime. This match was another illustration of both the program's improvement and the weaknesses that are preventing the squad from winning tight games. Last year's edition of the team opened 0-5, including an embarrassing 4-1 loss to Bucknell at Rhodes Field. But count on the Quakers to be working on finishing goals in front of the net again in practice today. Although the .500 beginning is a welcome improvement, the young team and second-year coach Patrick Baker must feel disappointed they have not been able to convert two overtime matches into victories. Especially since their scoring opportunities have at times dwarfed those of the opposition.