W. Soccer wins battle of West Philly

Yesterday's game in the heart of West Philadelphia reaffirmed what everyone is learning about the Penn women's soccer team -- the future is bright.

Penn's potent freshmen class has now scored 14 of the team's 15 goals so far this season, including both goals in yesterday's 2-0 victory over Drexel on Drexel Field at 45th and Market streets.

Penn freshman forward Katy Cross scored her fifth goal of the year and added an assist, and fellow newcomer Rachelle Snyder scored her seventh goal of the season to lead the way for the Quakers (5-1-1 record).

The Quakers are now 5-0 all-time against Drexel, which dropped to 3-6-1 on the year. They defeated the Dragons, 4-0, in last year's matchup.

Cross's goal just over seven minutes into the game was all Penn needed to win, as the Quakers' defense limited Drexel to four shots on goal in preserving the shutout. The Red and Blue, on the other hand, registered 15 shots, 11 of them on goal.

Penn sophomore Vanessa Scotto started in net for the Quakers, while freshman Anna Halse-Stumberg played goal for the second half. Neither was heavily tested.

The Quakers identified teamwork as a key to their victory today. With good passing, the team maintained possession of the ball and gave the Dragons few scoring chances.

"We have to pass the ball on the ground a lot and quickly," senior tri-captain Sarah Campbell said. "That's the only way we could get shots on the goal."

Penn's second score of the game came at the 63:43 mark from Snyder off passes from Cross and freshman midfielder Libby Bersot.

"Today's goal was just a total team effort," said Snyder, who with seven goals has already scored more times than any Penn player did last season. "All I had to do was stand in the six-yard box."

Penn coach Darren Ambrose was particularly happy with the play of Bersot off the bench.

"Libby Bersot was tremendous," Ambrose said. "She saw what she needed to and she was the reason we scored the second goal."

Ambrose was pleased with the way Penn possessed the ball, but the second-year coach stressed that the Quakers need more scoring opportunities.

"We possessed it very well," he said. "We're not turning it into as many great chances as we'd like. We have to turn that into more chances and goals."

On the defensive end, freshman fullback Jessica Woodward played a key role in shutting down the Dragons.

"[She] was a tremendous defensive presence, but today she got into dangerous positions [on the offense]," Ambrose said. "She's improved so much already this year."

Drexel had a chance to cut the lead in half with 17 minutes to go, but hit the post with a shot. The Dragons' best first-half chance came on a free kick, which defender Kristi Mandis kicked wide of the Penn goal.

"We knew it was going to be difficult," Drexel coach Ray Goon said. "I was happy with the way we played. Penn's a very good team and they did enough to win the game."

The Quakers (0-1-0 in the Ivy League) now set their eyes towards Cornell (2-1-2, 1-0-0 Ivy). After a devastating loss to Dartmouth on Saturday to kick off its Ivy season, Penn will look to even its Ancient Eight record when the Big Red come to town on Saturday.

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