W. Soccer looks to extend streak

The Penn women's soccer team hopes to continue its strong start after three straight wins. Off to its best start in school history, the Penn women's soccer team (3-0) has a lot to be optimistic about. This Sunday at 2 p.m. the Quakers look to add to their accomplishments as they take on neighboring Drexel (1-4). More impressive than scoring 10 goals in three games, the Quakers have yet to concede one. Their success in part comes from a change in defensive strategy to what Quakers coach Patrick Baker calls the "active zone." Instead of a four-person unit, Penn only uses three in the back. Junior Jennifer Danielson and senior Jacky Flood surround junior sweeper Deane Kocivar-Norbury as Penn's starting defenders. While allowing for outside shots, the strategy limits opponents' chances of gaining deep penetration. "None of the teams have gotten of any incredible shots," junior goalie Anne Kluetmeier said. "The defense is shutting down the opposing players. They are not allowing them to get into the box. They are not allowing them to get good shots off." All of the defensive players have enjoyed the switch, which has yielded only 22 shots in comparison to Penn's 50. While each defender has to cover more ground, it has greatly increased the Quakers' depth. "You've got Shannon Porter who was All-Ivy last year coming in as a reserve," Baker said. "Laura Donnell has come in and done a great job. Our depth in the back is as strong as it is up front and in the midfield." Another reason for Penn's defensive success is their familiarity with each other's game style, a result of having all of last year's starters return. "After playing with most of them for two years, you know what their tendencies are and whether or not they are going to get to the ball," Kocivar-Norbury said. "You know where they are going to be on the field. It is definitely advantageous for us." The only sore spot for the Quakers' defense is Kocivar-Norbury's tear in her MCL. Diagnosed during the preseason, the sweeper has been playing with the injury for over a year. Since she has been able to play with it for so long, Kocivar-Norbury will wait until the end of the season to seek surgical treatment. "It's there, and I am just going to have to deal with it," Kocivar-Norbury said. "On the field, it really doesn't limit me once I get moving and am playing. It's just after I am playing that it bothers me." This weekend's matchup will mark the first meeting between the two schools. The Dragons are in the beginning of their program's second year. Last season the Dragons went 3-13-1. Building their program from the ground up, Drexel is led by a pair of freshman forwards, Laura Meikle and Kelly Cross. While the Dragons are not formidable opponents, the Quakers will concentrate on preventing a let-down after their first three games. "This is one of those games that scares me more than others," Baker said. "I know we are going to be up for the East Carolina's and the Radford's of our schedule, but Drexel is one that I hope we come ready to play." As Penn takes to the field against inter-city opposition, all other Ivy League teams, except Dartmouth, will be playing their first conference match. Originally scheduled to play the Big Green this weekend, Dartmouth will play in a tournament at Colgate. Penn plays their first Ivy League game next weekend at Cornell. The Quakers will have to wait until then to begin their quest for their first Ivy League title.