Devon Sibole isn't buying into the hype.
Though the Penn women's soccer team prepares to take on No. 4 California at 3:30 this afternoon on Rhodes Field, the sophomore forward believes emphatically that the Quakers (5-2) will give the Golden Bears more than a paw-full.
"Everyone says, 'Oh, they beat Santa Clara,'" Sibole said. "But, whatever, we're a strong team."
Though Cal (5-1-1) defeated No. 12 Santa Clara -- then the No. 3 team in the nation -- the impressive victory is just one of many for a team that finished last year ranked No. 13.
Following a loss to No. 5 Texas, Cal blanked No. 16 Texas A&M;, 1-0.
"They'll be the toughest team any Penn [women's soccer] team's faced in three years," Penn coach Darren Ambrose said. "They've beaten Santa Clara, they've beaten St. Mary's -- they've beaten great teams."
Last weekend, the Golden Bears mauled Fresno State, 4-1. Emerging in that game was Cal freshman forward Tracy Hamm, who registered a hat trick.
Another opposing threat is the last thing Ambrose needed.
"They're very fast up front," he said. "We know defensively we've got our work cut out for us.
"I think we're really going to have to work as a team. It can't be a question of one or two individuals -- we have to defend as a team."
Penn's savviest player on defense is captain Jen Valentine. According to Ambrose, she is coming off her best game of the season against Drexel.
It will take a repeat effort to keep the Golden Bears at bay.
"It's basically going to be a battle," Valentine said of the matchup. "Mentally, we have to be turned on and fight for every tackle [and] every header."
Cal's defense presents an equally imposing challenge to the Red and Blue. Led by Notre Dame-transfer goalkeeper Sani Post, the Golden Bears have allowed only four goals in seven games.
The Quakers, however, have their share of playmakers.
"I honestly feel that if we can create opportunities, we've got the players to finish," Ambrose said, naming Sibole, Jenna Linden and Katy Cross as three of the squad's primetime players. "If we can defend them as a team, keep everything in front of us and then win the ball with our forwards, then we'll be in good shape."
Cal is in the midst of a four-game road trip which concludes Sunday against Hartford.
Meanwhile, Penn will square off against George Mason on Sunday at 1 p.m. The Patriots come to Rhodes Field with a 2-5 record.
The Quakers, however, circled only today's date on the calendar. As has been the slogan under Ambrose's coaching tenure, the Red and Blue take their seasons one game at a time.
"I think we're the underdogs, so we have nothing to lose," Penn midfielder Lauren Bome said. "It will be a good test for us."
My goal is to "just show myself that I can play with people that are fourth in the nation," she added.
