W. Soccer cages Blue Hens

The Penn women's soccer team traveled to Delaware Stadium yesterday afternoon and came home with a 1-0 double-overtime victory over the Delaware Blue Hens (7-7). The victory assures the Quakers (8-4-2) of their first winning season in their five-year history. Both teams had to battle a stiff wind all afternoon. Penn faced the wind in the first half and tried to utilize a short passing game. In the second half, with the wind to their backs, the Quakers opened the game up. "We tried to stretch their defense out," Penn coach Patrick Baker said. Throughout regulation, this style was effective but the Quakers couldn't find the net as Delaware goalkeeper Melissa Kulp made six saves. In the second overtime period, the Quakers again had the wind at their back and attacked the Delaware defense. This time they converted, as Penn's freshmen came up big again. Forward Tina Cooper's goal with 2:27 left in the second overtime period gave the Quakers the victory. Freshman Kelly Stevens streaked down the left flank and crossed the ball to Cooper, whose shot volleyed past Blue Hens goal keeper Melissa Kulp. "The scoring play was executed perfectly," Baker said. "It was the best goal we have scored this season." Delaware had a couple opportunities to win the match in regulation, but it could not convert. In the first half, Blue Hen Michelle Loux blasted a 15-yard shot on goal, but the attempt struck the inside corner of the the far post and bounced harmlessly away. Freshman Sarah Wirth had the best Blue Hens scoring chance in the second half, but her shot also banged off the far post with just minutes remaining in regulation. Penn goalie Amy Urban also had a great deal to do with the shutout. Urban was "great," according to Baker.