SportsBriefs

W. Soccer fares well at Keystone Classic

Although the fall season might seem miles away right now, the Penn women's soccer team is already preparing.

And last weekend at the Keystone Classic, the Quakers showed that they are possibly on the cusp of a successful fall season.

Penn did well at the inagural event, which features every Division I women's soccer program in the state of Pennsylvania.

It was a case of deja vu in the finals for the Red and Blue, as Villanova -- who pulled of a 2-0 upset of Penn in the first round of the NCAA College Cup in the fall -- held them scoreless once again.

The Wildcats were unable to convert any of their chances as well. But they were able to top the Quakers, 2-1, in penalty kicks.

Although the Quakers fell in the semifinals, they did top some of Pennsylvania's top soccer programs.

The Quakers topped Atlantic-10 champions Duquesne, 2-0, in a qualifying game on two goals from freshman defender Amy Solomon.

Both goals were netted off of corner kicks from fellow first-year Devon Sibole.

Penn also topped Lafayette, 1-0, in the qualifying round. Ivy League Rookie of the Year Katy Cross scored the Quakers' lone goal in that contest. It was assisted by Jessica Papesh.

Unfortunately for the Quakers, Solomon was lost for the day with a slight knee injury.

Penn did fall in the first qualifying game, to St. Francis, 1-0. Although the Quakers dominated play, they could not convert any scoring chances.

In the quarterfinal matchup, the Quakers dominated Lehigh, 2-0. Papesh and Cross were the Quakers' two goal scorers.

The Penn women's soccer team's spring roster features 11 freshmen and five sophomores, along with sophomore team captain Heather Issing. She was, however, sidelined with a stress fracture for the Keystone Classic.

-- Dan McQuade

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