The Penn women's lacrosse team (4-7, 2-3 Ivy League) will have to score early and build a first-half lead to have any chance at fifth-ranked Princeton (8-2, 4-0) tonight. Last week against Rutgers and Dartmouth, the Quakers defense was shredded for 34 goals, and the Tigers' offense is at least as consistent and dangerous. "We really can't afford to fall behind. If we do, we will have to play extremely hard just to try and catch up," co-captain Emily Hansel said. Of late, the Quakers have been a little slow-footed on the field, and as a result, nationally ranked opponents have soundly beat them. During practice, Penn coach Anne Sage's team worked on team-oriented defensive drills and short-range scoring situations at game speed to regain their earlier intensity and reaction to the ball. "Last week, Dartmouth killed us in transition with their sheer speed. They are so quick to the ball that they just ran around us and had easy chances because they had numbers," Penn assistant coach Alanna Wren said. "Princeton is not as fast as Dartmouth, but they execute to perfection. We will have to play terrific setup defense against their transition game because that's what killed us last week." The Tigers may not be as fast as the Big Green, but their stretching and trapping defense will certainly give the Quakers all they can handle. "Both Rutgers and Dartmouth played a sagging man-to-man that dropped into a zone. We weren't used to that," Hansel said. "Princeton can play either way, but they switch so effectively. We have to try and beat them playing our game, the only way we know how to play." The Tigers are an embodiment of an old adage: sound defense wins close games. Early in the season, Princeton held William and Mary scoreless while scoring two late goals en route to a 7-5 victory. In the very next game, the Tigers broke a 5-5 deadlock with Georgetown with another late goal that put them at the top of the table in the mid-March William and Mary Invitational. "We know [Princeton] are just as good, if not better, than the ranked teams we have been playing," said defender Jenny Leesman, who returned last week from a leg injury. "I don't think we will accomplish anything if we go out there feeling scared. They are going to put pressure on us. We have to prepare for it in practice by using a lot of defensive communication in our man-to-man." But in the midst of all the emphasis on defense, there remains the immutable fact that goals are what wins games. The Quakers give up depth and a little speed to the Tigers, and they have to make up for it with some early goals. If Penn falls behind early, all the defense in the world will come to naught because goals will be needed to equalize.
The Daily Pennsylvanian is an independent, student-run newspaper. Please consider making a donation to support the coverage that shapes the University. Your generosity ensures a future of strong journalism at Penn.
DonatePlease note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.