After failing to hold leads in losses to Harvard and Lafayette, the Penn field hockey team played the come-from-behind role Saturday to defeat La Salle.
The Quakers (3-4, 1-1 Ivy) opened a four-game homestand with a 3-1 victory over the Explorers, overcoming a slow start to post three unanswered goals and the win.
"It was a big win for us because they are a local Philly rival," Penn coach Val Cloud said. "The win keeps us going forward into the next game."
Quakers junior Liz Lorelli scored two goals -- her team-leading sixth and seventh of the season -- to cap Penn's comeback.
"Liz, once again, had a big game today," Cloud said. "But our whole offense played better and moved the ball around for her, especially in the second half."
Freshman goalie Elizabeth Schlossberg recorded her first collegiate win, making three saves in her scoreless second half of play. Sophomore Amanda Jacobs played the first 35 minutes, recorded two saves and allowed La Salle's only goal.
"Elizabeth played big time today... she's so athletic," Cloud said. "She's a really great goalie."
The Explorers (5-3) got on the board first after 30 minutes of scoreless hockey when sophomore Emilie Stewart tallied an unassisted goal with 4:21 remaining in the first half.
It looked like the Quakers would go into halftime trailing, but Penn was awarded a penalty corner with 42 seconds left in the first half.
Sophomore midfielder Lea Salese shot the ball on goal, allowing Lorelli to tip it into the cage for the tying goal.
It was Penn's first goal converted from a penalty corner this season.
With momentum on its side, Penn came out firing as soon as the whistle blew to start the second half.
Literally.
Junior Sara Shelley recovered the ball from the opening faceoff and dished it to Lorelli, who shot it past La Salle goalie Colleen Bolger for the game-winning goal.
"Our defense came up big and made it easy on the goalies," Jacobs said. "I give credit to them for not allowing another goal."
Salese added an insurance goal at the 67:47 mark off an assist from senior forward Marianne Rogers, to ensure Penn's second straight home win.
"I was really glad to get that third goal," Cloud said. "That shows how hard they were playing for the whole game."
The Red and Blue offense improved from its shutout loss to Penn State on Wednesday, outshooting the Explorers, 14-7, and holding the advantage in penalty corners, 7-4.
But the biggest improvement came from Schlossberg, who struggled in her first several outings and was injured two weeks ago against Lafayette.
"I just tried to go out there and do the best I could to put my team in a position to win," the freshman goalie said.
