To win lacrosse games at the collegiate level, teams need more than just talented athletes -- they need to play with confidence.
While the Penn women's lacrosse team has the skills to compete with the nation's top-ranked squad, Loyola, Quakers' coach Karin Brower feels that her team's 12-3 loss to the Greyhounds yesterday can be credited to a lack of that essential second ingredient.
"We didn't play with confidence," Brower said. "We looked scared out there."
Loyola jumped out to an early lead -- tallying three goals in the first ten minutes of play -- and never looked back.
Penn was able to cut the lead to 3-1 after junior Lindsey Cassidy scored off a free position shot with 9 minutes, 35 seconds left in the first half.
Loyola answered back, however, scoring the next four goals.
Before the close of the half, the Quakers netted another goal courtesy of senior Alison Polk-Williams.
Brower was not pleased with her team's performance in the first 30 minutes, as they fell behind 7-2.
"The biggest thing for us is taking the field at first whistle and playing like we can win," Brower said. "We didn't do that."
The Greyhounds picked up in the second half right where they left off, scoring three goals in the first four minutes of play.
Trailing 10-2 with 21:51 remaining, Penn scored one more goal, this time from junior Chelsea Kaden.
Loyola scored two more goals in the last 20 minutes, coasting to a 12-3 victory.
The excess of turnovers, according to Brower, was a direct result of Loyola's intimidating presence.
"We had lots of turnovers because we played scared," she said. "We forced a lot of turnovers from them, but then we gave it right back."
Brower also noted that her team failed to capitalize on its opportunities throughout.
"We need to shoot better," Brower said. "Shooting has been plaguing us. We need to capitalize on opportunities we create for ourselves."
The Quakers tallied only three goals off 19 shots.
The Greyhounds, on the other hand, were able to shoot just a torrid 48-percent, putting 12 of 25 shots into the net.
Cassidy was only able to tally one goal on six attempts, while Penn senior Crissy Book was held scoreless, despite taking five shots.
There were bright spots, however, in the Red and Blue's play yesterday.
Brower was very proud of her team's resilience, playing hard until the end of the game despite being down by so much.
"They never gave up," she said of her team.
Penn was able to hold the relentless Loyola offense scoreless for the last ten minutes of the game.
The play of two seniors -- Christy Bennett on defense and Whitney Horton at midfield -- also pleased Brower.
"Christy played a really good defense game," she said. "[Bennett and Horton] forced a lot of turnovers."
The leading scorers for Loyola were Stephanie Walker (5 goals) and Rachel Shuck (2 goals, 3 assists).
Penn goalie Alaina Harper collected the most ground balls of the game (8), followed by sophomore Kate Miller (5).
Loyola's goalies -- Kim Lawton and Cindy Nicolaus -- combined for 13 saves off 19 shots, while Penn's Harper stopped eight of 25 shots.
