W. Soccer visits Lions

Coming off of its biggest win of the year, 5-1 against Lehigh Tuesday, the women's soccer team hopes to continue its success tomorrow morning in New York against Columbia. For Penn (3-3-1, 0-2 Ivy League), the game marks an opportunity to extend its success to Ivy play. Last year's squad, winners just once in the Ancient Eight, beat the Lions (2-3, 0-1) by a resounding 4-0 count. Rest assured this game will not be easy. This is the first overnight road trip for the young team and a comparison of their common opponent, Bucknell, is in Columbia's favor. The Lions were victorious against a Bison team that Penn tied. On paper, it appears the game will come down to the teams' ability to finish in front of goal. The Quakers have suffered several disappointing results (most obviously Bucknell) that were characterized by missed opportunities. Tuesday's match against Lehigh may have seen the end of that problem, as Penn netted a season high five goals. Tomorrow's game is a litmus test in some ways, since the two programs have paralleled each other of late. Both have second-year head coaches who are working with their first recruiting classes. Neither one is a traditional power in the sport, and both put up losing records last year. After last year, Columbia will be counting on the revenge factor. But the Lions will have to deal with Penn's stingy defense, which has allowed only 11 goals in seven games. This veteran segment of the team should have an advantage since Columbia will be starting two freshman in the key midfield spots. As usual, the task of marking the Lions' top scoring threat will fall to junior defender Jill Brown. Brown has been nothing short of superb in that role, having not allowed a goal to her star opponent yet this year. "We've got a good scouting report," Penn coach Patrick Baker said. He feels if Penn plays to its strengths, the Quakers could come out of the match over .500 at the latest date in the program's history. That scouting report indicates that Columbia plays long balls to its speedy front line, nothing new for the Penn defense. It also shows the Lions are nursing some injuries after their most recent defeat, 4-1 to Harvard. So the stage is set for Penn to begin turning improved performances and potential into what really counts: Ivy wins. Penn's depth and recent run of efficient team play say it can do the job. Baker's only question remains: "Can we finish our chances?"