W. Soccer freshmen don't need anytime to settle in

Penn had dominated the entire game against Loyola (Md.) and had nothing to show for it on the scoreboard. It was late in the second half, and it looked like overtime would be likely. With two minutes left, however, Quakers freshman Kelli Toland, from 25 yards out, scored the winning goal in the Red and Blue's opening game of the season. Toland's goal foreshadowed the impact the freshman class would have for the rest of the season. From the opening day of preseason, the Quakers' freshmen have played a large role in the team's dramatic turnaround from last year. The incoming class has made a large contribution to the offensive output of the Quakers (9-4), who visit Newark, Del., for a game against the Blue Hens (9-6-1) this afternoon at 3 p.m. One third of Penn's goals and over half of the team's assists have been recorded by freshmen. Along with the victory against Loyola, the Quakers' win over Cornell came on goals scored by freshmen. Forward Leah Wulforst and midfielder Aidan Viggiano scored both goals in the 2-0 win. When it comes to scoring goals, freshman Emily Goodman just seems to have a knack for finishing. Goodman has only started three games, but the Penn midfielder has made the most of her opportunities. The North Potomac, Md., native has scored four goals on only seven shots and is second on the team in overall points. Goodman missed the first two games of the season with a foot injury. The injury had also kept her from participating in the preseason workouts. Without that benefit, Goodman felt she had not found a role on the team when the season started. Any doubts about Goodman's ability, however, were erased with a goal in her first game back against Bucknell. Part of the success of the freshmen has been their fitness. Coming into the preseason, several of the freshmen were the fittest players on the team, according to Penn coach Patrick Baker. With the recruits coming into training camp in good shape, the upperclassmen couldn't relax, according to Penn co-captain Darah Ross. "[The freshmen] pushed everyone else's work ethic," Penn co-captain Tina Cooper said. While Toland has not scored a goal since the season opener, she has established herself as the playmaker for the team. From day one, Toland, the No. 1 recruit, has been the starting center midfielder, a critical offensive and defensive position. "Kelli Toland has handled the play-making role exceptionally," Baker said. "She has done a good job of distribution." Although Toland has scored only one goal, Baker says that goal-scoring is not what he is looking for from the freshman midfielder. Toland's role is to set up goals and distribute the ball, according to Baker. Toland leads the team with five assists. Toland has been tireless, despite her crucial role. Two weekends ago, the Philadelphia native played the full 90 minutes Friday night against Harvard then played the first 100 minutes of the Sunday afternoon Columbia game that went into overtime. All of these minutes came at a position that requires almost non-stop running. "[Toland has an] unbelievable work rate," Baker said. "She's probably one of our fastest players, and she has to be." Baker had already seen what Toland could do on the field while coaching her on an Olympic development team. The strong background in high-caliber soccer has helped make Toland a "technically sound" player, according to Baker. On the defensive end of the field, freshman Shannon Porter has established herself as a starting defender. Porter, like Toland, has also started every game of the Quakers' season. "Our back four has done a great job," Baker said, "and Shannon has been a big part of it." Porter, hailing from Hinsdale, Ill., has drawn some difficult assignments on defense. Against No. 1 North Carolina, Porter was given the unenviable task of guarding Robin Confer, one of the nation's biggest offensive threats. "[Shannon] is a fantastic one v. one defender," Baker said. "[She] does not put herself in compromising positions." With the high level of play of the freshmen and the sense of unity on the team, the incoming class has integrated itself into the team both on and off the field, according to Cooper, a junior. Even the little free time that the players have is spent together. "I can't imagine not having this group of friends," Goodman said. The freshmen have played a big part in Penn's historic season. Baker has not shied away from using the rookies. At one point during Saturday's victory over Brown, over half of the Quakers on the field were freshmen. The way the incoming class has been playing, Baker does not sacrifice anything by relying the rookies. With freshmen getting so much experience under their belts, this year's success is only the beginning. "They're an exciting group," Baker said. "All those young players are going to get that much better."