Close win over Hens for W. Soccer

The Quakers battled heavy wind and a physical game to eke out the 1-0 victory in Newark, Del. The more things change, the more things stay the same. Two years ago, the Penn women's soccer team went the distance in a double-overtime 1-0 win against Delaware. Last year, it was the Callaghan twins who came through for the Quakers as Jill Callaghan deflected a shot off the goal post and Andrea Callaghan put home the rebound for the game-winner in a 2-1 victory. Yesterday, the pattern of close games continued, as the teams remained scoreless much of the way. In the midst of a cold and windy day reminiscent of Penn's last visit to Newark, Del., two years ago, both teams were eager to start the game. "We walk out, wind heavily blowing," Penn coach Patrick Baker said. "For Delaware, it was their Senior Day, so they were all jacked up." Both sides resorted to rough play. Delaware led the way with 17 of the 29 fouls between both teams. Two rough plays in the first five minutes set the tone for much of the game. In one case, Penn goalie Anne Kluetmeier was "decked" on a one-on-one battle for a loose ball, according to Baker. According to Kluetmeier, she doesn't really remember the collision, except for getting the wind knocked out of her. The next sequence featured sweeper Deane Kocivar-Norbury being taken down hard from behind. "A couple of times they took cheap shots, which made it hard, along with the wind," Quakers midfielder Kelly Stevens said Kluetmeier stayed in for the duration of the game, stopping all of Delaware's 12 shots on goal. However, Kocivar-Norbury was removed by Baker. Jacky Flood moved from her stopper position to sweeper, and midfielder Ashley Kjar moved to Flood's spot. Those moves woke up the Quakers. "As the game went on, we thought, 'Wait a second, we're not going to take that,' and started fighting back," Kluetmeier said. Against the face of fouls and a first- half headwind, the Quakers did not dominate, only firing seven shots at Delaware goalie Alison Martin. Nevertheless, the one shot Martin failed to stop was the difference. Penn senior co-captain Darah Ross broke the tie in the 62nd minute to give Penn the 1-0 victory in weird fashion. "Kelli Toland gave a crossing pass to Darah Ross, who headed it," Baker said. "The ball went off the defender's back and into the corner. "It wasn't a pretty game, but when you go on the road, all you want is a result." And that is what the Quakers took from the nest at Newark. For Penn (10-4), it was their eighth shutout of the season. For Ross, the game-winner marked the second straight game game in which she has scored. For the Blue Hens (9-7-1), the defeat was their second in a row. The Quakers hit the road again later this week when they travel to Yale in another key Ivy League showdown. With forward Jill Callaghan still suffering a sore shoulder, and the hits taken today by Kluetmeier and Kocivar-Norbury, Penn's bench will be counted upon to deliver. Penn has a lot at stake coming into this weekend. The Quakers have never beaten the Elis. Last year, Penn lost to Yale on Homecoming weekend 2-1. Also, Penn needs a Dartmouth win versus Harvard this weekend to keep alive the Quakers' Ivy title hopes. The Ivy League lead, as well as revenge, will be very much on the minds of the Red and Blue when they head to New Haven, Conn.