It's only appropriate that the Penn men's soccer team was crowned Ivy League champions after a 110-minute defensive struggle, which resulted in a 0-0 tie.
"Our defense is our strongest attribute," Penn coach Rudy Fuller said. "So it makes sense that it carried us over the top."
The No. 14 Quakers (10-2-1, 5-0-1 Ivy) faced quite a challenge heading into Saturday's contest against Princeton (3-8-5, 1-3-2 Ivy) at Lourie-Love Field.
The Quakers needed a tie or a win to clinch a share of the Ivy League title, while Princeton was vying for respect and an escape from the Ancient Eight cellar.
The pressure was on, especially with Princeton's 350 vocal fans who showed up for Senior Night.
"Anytime Penn plays Princeton, it's war," Fuller said. "Compound that with the fact that we were playing on their field during senior night and that we could clinch the Ivy League title."
These factors could account for the Quakers' subpar play, which was not fit for a No. 14 team.
The Quakers allowed the Tigers to control possession for long stretches during the game. A telling figure is the Tigers' five to one edge over the Quakers in corner kicks.
Nevertheless, the Red and Blue proved once again that they get the job done when it counts. The Quakers are now an impressive 3-0-1 on the road in Ivy League play.
"It wasn't one of our best performances, and we were definitely capable of getting the win," Penn senior tri-captain Nathan Kennedy said. "But we got the tie that we needed."
The return of Princeton's star goalie, senior Jason White, is one of the reasons that the Quakers weren't able to put one in the net. White was injured early in the season, and he picked the Penn game for his return.
"Jason White is such a talent," Fuller said. "We haven't seen the last of him -- he has a long career ahead."
Meanwhile in the Quakers' net, junior Matt Haefner was certainly White's equal.
He recorded his eighth shutout against Princeton, and he has an Ivy League low 0.40 goals against average. "Haef is basically the best player in the Ivy League," Penn senior Alex Maasry said. "He's a flat out beast."
The next goal for the Quakers is winning the Ivy League title outright. Currently, Dartmouth (4-1-1 Ivy) -- whom Penn beat earlier this season, 1-0, in Hanover, N.H. -- is right behind the Quakers after shellacking Cornell, 7-1, on Saturday.
Penn plays Harvard this Saturday in its Ivy League finale.
The Big Green closes out its Ivy schedule at home against Brown.
Dartmouth "is on a hot streak," Kennedy said. "But we did beat them on the road at their place."
After not winning a title for 22 years, it is understandable that the Quakers do not want to share the Ivy crown with anyone.
"It is a matter of respect," Maasry said. "If we win outright we are going to send a message to the entire league."
The Ivy title may not be the only trophy that the Quakers will end up with this season, however. They were also awarded a berth to the NCAA tournament for the first time in 25 years, and will have the chance to vie for the College Cup.
In addition, the Quakers (2-0-0, Philly 7) could clinch a share of the Philadelphia Soccer 7 title with a victory against St. Joseph's on Wednesday.
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