There is optimism at Rhodes Field this year for the Penn women's soccer team.
It comes in the form of a marked increase in cohesion and communication. It comes from sophomore midfielder Jenna Linden and the reigning Ivy League Player of the Year, junior forward Katy Cross.
It comes from a playing surface in far better condition than last year, when heavy rains battered the grass for much of the fall. It comes in the form of another child for head coach Darren Ambrose.
But while Ambrose claims that the team hasn't "set any specific goals so far," there is little question that an Ivy League title and a berth in the College Cup, are the Quakers' goals a year after finishing third in the league. Penn had an 8-6-3 record overall with a 3-1-3 mark in Ivy play last season.
"I believe that we are in a situation where we have to prove that we belong in the top flight, and treat every game as an opportunity to do just that," Ambrose said.
Much of that responsibility will fall to, Linden who will be the team's central attacking midfielder in Ambrose's 4-4-2 formation this season. Despite being only a sophomore she will be expected to run the offense and defend as opposing teams build attacks.
"Jenna has improved tremendously since last November," Ambrose said of the Bethesda, Md., native. "I think she is getting a better understanding of the role that we want her to play."
Penn has emphasized defense during the last few days at practice, which, for Linden, has translated into "a lot more organization throughout the whole field, which goes along with communication."
However, to win games the team will have to score goals, and Cross will shoulder the bulk of the burden, as she has the last two years.
"Katy will be a marked player against any team we play in or out of the league," he said. "We just have to do a better job of recognizing that she opens up space for other players and we have to get into that space to be dangerous."
Ambrose does not want his team's attack to be only about Cross, however.
"This year, we have several individuals who are dangerous up front," he said.
Junior midfielders Devon Sibole and Lydia Bojcun and sophomore forward Carolyn Cross will be expected to contribute to that attack.
There may also be contributions from freshmen Samantha Spencer, Katie Campbell, and Erica Messina.
"Our freshman have immediately stepped in and shown they are capable of playing at this level," he said.
But if the Quakers have strength in depth, their main weakness may be in the squad's youth. Goalkeeper Vanessa Scotto is the only senior on a roster composed largely of sophomores and juniors.
Ambrose takes personal pride in having brought such a young team so far.
"For me it is incredibly gratifying and exciting to see a young team start to take on a personality and have a sense of confidence," he said. "Twenty-five of the 27 players we now have were recruited by our staff and I think the chemistry is wonderful.
"It will be an exciting year for all involved with the program."
