Sports Briefs: Friday, October 18, 1996

M. Soccer records first shutout of year Morgan Blackwell was voted Ivy League Player of the Week after scoring two goals against the Lions. After the Columbia game, Blackwell had scored all five of Penn's goals on the season. Penn keeper Michael O'Connor, who had three saves on only six shots, recorded the first shut out in his Ivy League career. The Quakers only had six shots themselves, but were able to capitalize on their limited opportunities. Penn plays Cornell tomorrow at Cornell. – Elizabeth Beller W. Soccer aims for Penn record for Ivy wins in a season With a 3-6-2 record, it's hard to see what the Penn women's soccer team is so excited about these days. But a 3-2 Ivy League triumph against Columbia and a 1-1 draw with Villanova Wednesday has the team's spirits soaring. Next on the docket for the Quakers (1-2 Ivy League) is Cornell this Saturday at Robison Alumni Field. Despite Penn's poor record and the fact that the Quakers have never beaten Cornell, Big Red coach Randy May is cautiously eyeing the upcoming match. Ironically, the Big Red isn't feeling so terribly "big" these days. As a perennial Ivy League power, May is finding the basement of the league a rather uncomfortable place. Their 4-6 record (0-3 Ivy) has prompted him to call it Cornell's "worst start in a decade". For Penn, the coming weekend presents itself as an enormous opportunity. "Our best record in the Ivies ever was last year's 1-5-1 record," Baker said. "With a win on Saturday, we have a chance to make history with the best Ivy record this program's had." – Kendall Watson