W. Soccer in search of first Ivy win of '98

The Penn women's soccer team seeks an Ivy win against Columbia. If recent history is any indication, Saturday may prove to be a rather long day for the Penn women's soccer team. Then again, the day might be over really quickly. Tomorrow the Quakers (8-2-1, 0-2-1 Ivy League) host perennial Ivy League basement-dweller Columbia (6-1-3, 1-1-1) in a game that could finally get Penn its first win of the season in the Ivies. The Red and Blue has been undefeated against the Lions since Penn coach Patrick Baker first marched the sidelines five seasons ago. Despite this lengthy winning streak against Columbia, Penn has had a hard time putting the Lions away of late. In their past two regular season match-ups -- at Rhodes Field in 1996 and last year in New York City -- Penn had to come from behind to tie the game in regulation. The Quakers then had to score a "golden goal" in overtime of both contests to eventually claim victory. This season's Columbia roster is full of players returning from last year's overtime defeat. Because of this, Baker is aware that the Lions may be looking for blood. "The last few games have been extremely close and extremely physical," Baker said. "I'm sure they have a strong passion to beat us this year." That passion will be fueled by the a strong Lions triumvirate. Midfielder Tosh Forde, a second-year captain, leads the group. Kriszen Williams, a "really fast, really deceptive" forward according to Baker, and goalkeeper Alie Ahern, who has let only six balls slip by her this season, round out the strong threesome. Ahern and the Lions defense may have their hands full tomorrow, though, if the Quakers can repeat Tuesday's performance against Delaware. In that midweek match at Rhodes Field, Penn scored eight goals in the second half to shut out the bewildered Blue Hens 9-0. This outcome didn't surprise Columbia coach Kevin McCarthy. "It just confirms what I expected -- that Penn is a very strong attacking team," he said. "They have a collection of really strong players." According to Baker, the strength and ability of Penn's players will definitely be tested tomorrow by the unconventional play of Columbia. "In looking at the season, I thought that everyone [in the Ivy League] was fairly evenly matched," Baker said, "but the one team that scared me was Columbia. They play so different from everyone else that they're in every game." So how are the Quakers going to deal with the unusual play of the Lions? "We're going to have to play smart, be focused and get chances at the goal," Baker said. The amount and quality of scoring chances should improve with the continuation of Baker placing an extra player up front to complement the duo of Andrea and Jill Callaghan. The use of three forwards was much of the reason for the Quakers' high score against Delaware. "With Emily Goodman playing as well as she has and Kelly [Stevens] finally healthy, it's a rotation we can be successful with," Baker said. Final success in tomorrow's match, though, will only come if the Quakers can record their first Ivy League victory this year against the Lions. "We need this win in a big-time way," Baker said. History says that the win will finally come tomorrow -- the only question is whether or not it will take more than 90 minutes to happen.