After clinching its first overall winning record since 1997 against Georgetown on Wednesday, the Penn field hockey team has shifted its focus to another important goal.
"We want to do well in the Ivies," coach Val Cloud said. "We are in the hunt for the top spot."
The Quakers (9-4, 3-1 Ivy) currently sit at third place in the Ivy League, a game behind undefeated No. 15 Harvard (4-0 Ivy) and a game and a half behind No. 8 Princeton (5-0 Ivy). With three of its four remaining games against Ivy League opponents, the Quakers are still poised to make a serious run for the championship.
And the Quakers will start their run Sunday at Franklin Field against Yale, as they try to become the first Penn team to have a winning record both overall and in the Ivies since 1995.
The Elis (7-6, 2-2 Ivy) are currently tied for fourth in the Ancient Eight but their two losses came to nationally ranked Harvard and Princeton.
Since they have yet to play Princeton, the Quakers know they must distinguish themselves from the rest of the Ancient Eight with a victory over a .500 team like Yale.
What makes matters even more pressing for the Quakers is that Harvard and Princeton play each other on Saturday, guaranteeing that one of the two top teams will have a loss by the end of the weekend.
"Depending on what happens this weekend to Harvard and Princeton, we are still alive," Cloud said. "But we have to keep winning ourselves."
Winning is something that has seemed to come naturally for the Quakers as of late, as they ride a seven-game streak into Sunday. With a win over Yale, the Red and Blue can tie the all-time Penn record for wins, which was set in 1988.
"We want to continue our winning streak and keep developing the confidence that we are propelling out here," Cloud said.
The Quakers hope they can receive another offensive outburst from junior Liz Lorelli, as she tries to set a new Penn record for all-time goals in a season. The Ivy League leader in goals and points tied the record last game with her 15th goal of the season. She is the only Ivy player averaging over a goal a game.
Lorelli is also just two points away from tying Penn's all-time points in a season record (35), which is held by Lisa Romig Nicky Hitchens.
While all eyes will be on Lorelli as she is poised to break the record, the Quakers are emphasizing their defensive game plan as they try to curtail Yale junior midfielder Meredith Hudson -- who leads the Ivies with 5.08 shots per game.
"Once we put the ball in the cage, it's our job to keep the other team from coming back down and taking advantage," sophomore Kelly McFadden said. "Once the offense does their job, it's time for the defense to step up and do our job."
Now that the Quakers have clinched a winning record, both players and coaches are beginning to realize that with success comes higher expectations.
"Getting our ninth win was huge," Cloud said. "I expect us to exceed that."
