Men's Soccer enters NCAA College Cup

In sports, it isn't often that a team gets a chance to redo its mistakes.

Fortunately, for the Penn men's soccer team, the Quakers will have this opportunity on Saturday when they host the first round of the NCAA Tournament against Seton Hall.

The No. 16 Quakers (11-3-1, 5-1-1 Ivy League) lost their first game of the season to the Pirates (9-7-3, 5-5 Big East), 1-0.

Given the Quakers defensive style of play, it is likely that this upcoming game will be just as close.

"It won't be a blowout either way," sophomore David Maier said. "It will probably be a one goal game like most games this season."

Though the Quakers are the higher-seeded team, it shouldn't make much of a difference since the Pirates thrive as an underdog.

The Pirates have pulled off stunning upsets of both No. 6 Connecticut and No. 21 Penn State during the regular season.

"Clearly they're no slouch of a team," junior goalkeeper Matt Haefner said. "They beat some high ranked teams and we've got to play all the way through to get the 'W'."

If the Quakers do come away with a victory, Haefner will be a big part of it. He is ranked as one of the top five goalkeepers in the nation in goals against average, with a GAA of 0.45.

In fact, Haefner's talent is so respected in the Ivy League, that yesterday, he became the first-ever Penn goalkeeper to be named Ivy League Player of the Year.

Haefner is also the first Penn player to receive the Ivies' top honor since 1979.

"Haef will play a crucial role like he has in every game," freshman Justin Estrada said. "We expect the best out of him as usual."

What the Quakers do not expect is a repeat of their last meeting with Seton Hall.

"History won't have that big of an impact," Haefner said. "We are a much better team than when we last played them."

The Quakers improved play was not evident in their last contest against Harvard, which resulted in a 2-1 Quakers loss.

However, Penn has a tendency to bounce back after losses. For instance, after their first loss of the season to the Pirates, the Red and Blue went on a six-game tear -- including wins over Cornell and co-Ivy champ, Dartmouth.

"We've moved on from our Harvard loss," Estrada said. "It was a good learning experience that once you get up on a team, you got to finish them."

In playing at Rhodes Field, the Quakers will have an edge over the Pirates.

"Its great to have your family and friends to cheer you on," Haefner said. "We also know the conditions and we'll use it to our advantage."

Adding to the Quakers' motivation is the desire to keep their seniors playing in a Penn uniform.

"The seniors are great leaders and great players," Estrada said. "As a team we are so appreciative that we want to give them a run to December."

The Quakers biggest advantage may be their confidence.

"This year we've beaten a lot of teams that we've struggled to beat in the past," Maier said. "Its a year of change."

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