After a two-week layoff, the Penn women's soccer team will return to action this weekend at the William & Mary Tribe Classic in Williamsburg, Va.
Last week's terrorist attacks forced the postponement of both of Penn's home games last weekend -- Friday's game against Lehigh and Sunday's match against Temple. The game against Lehigh has been rescheduled for Oct. 9 at Rhodes Field.
The Red and Blue held several team meetings and practices after the attack, but Penn head coach Darren Ambrose admitted it was tough getting back into the swing of things.
"No one was personally affected by Tuesday's events, but it was still very hard trying to refocus," Ambrose said. "It was tough on everyone, whether they knew anyone there or not."
This weekend will mark the Quakers' first action since a breakthrough opening weekend at Rhodes, where the Red and Blue defeated Iowa State, 2-0, and Delaware, 6-4.
The pair of days should prove to be a major challenge, as Penn faces two national powers. On Friday the Quakers will square off against George Mason (0-3), a team that dropped a pair of 3-2 contests to Florida and Miami.
"That record isn't going to fool us," Ambrose said. "They're a battle-tested team, going to Florida to play those two top teams. They're going to be tough."
Sunday's match will be even tougher, as the Quakers take on tournament host William & Mary. The Tribe (5-0) are ranked No. 14 in the nation by Soccerbuzz.com, with a No. 3 ranking in the Mid-Atlantic region. The Red and Blue are ranked No. 9 in the same regional poll after being unranked two weeks ago.
"We don't try to worry too much about rankings now," Ambrose said. "What we're ranked at the end of the season is what counts."
One player the Quakers hope to have back this weekend is senior tri-captain Sarah Campbell. Campbell, who has not practiced in two weeks, is day-to-day with an achilles tendon strain that limited her to 20 minutes in the opener and kept her out of Sunday's match. Ambrose is not sure if she will play this weekend.
Another unsure situation for the Quakers is who will man the net this weekend. Freshman Anna Halse-Stumberg recorded a shutout in her first collegiate game, but gave up four goals on four shots in the first half against the Blue Hens. Sophomore Vanessa Scotto was perfect in goal in the second half, and sophomore Sally Tedesco has been looking good in practice this week.
"We're fortunate that we have three top goaltenders that push each other every day," Ambrose said. "Vanessa played well on Sunday, but we'll have to see who's going to start this weekend."
One part of the Penn squad that has been steady is the play of its freshmen, which the Quakers hope to continue this weekend. In the last game against Delaware, freshman Rachelle Snyder scored a Penn-record four goals.
"I'm just really surprised to be playing at all," Snyder said. "I doubt I'll ever score four goals again, but I'm just going to go out there and try my best to help the team."
Although Snyder is on pace to almost double the Penn scoring record, fellow freshman Katy Cross is not too far behind. Cross scored both goals in the opener, then netted the game-winner on Sunday. Cross is optimistic about this weekend's contests.
"I know we can take both games," Cross said. "It depends on how we come out, but if we play like we can, we'll win."
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