The number three must be lucky for the Penn women's soccer team.
Three Penn players-- seniors Katy Cross and Rachelle Snyder and junior Carolyn Cross -- were instrumental in helping the Quakers defeat Cornell, 3-0, in Ithaca, N.Y., on Saturday.
In addition, the victory for the Quakers (4-4-1, 2-0-0 Ivy) extended their season-long winning streak to three games.
Penn took the advantage early, as Katy Cross scored her fifth goal of the season in the 14th minute.
The fast start was important for the Penn attack.
"It was the most important thing that we could have done to come out strong and set a precedent for the game," Snyder said.
The Quakers continued to play aggressively, as Snyder and Carolyn Cross got involved in the scoring.
In the 20th minute, Carolyn Cross found Snyder in front of an open net for a score. Ten minutes into the second half, the Red and Blue put the game out of reach as the junior Cross once again fed Snyder for a goal.
With both the offense and defense performing at peak efficiency, Penn was able to put together its most balanced game of the season.
"It was the best overall performance of the year," Snyder said.
Penn head coach Darren Ambrose echoed the sentiments of his senior captain.
"It was the most complete performance we've put together this year," he said in a press release.
In addition to the scoring barrage, the Quakers' defense was up to the challenge.
Senior goalkeeper Anna Halse made five saves en route to posting her second shutout of the season.
Having competed against stiff non-conference competition -- Penn played three teams in the top 25 -- the Quakers believe they are well prepared for the rigors of their Ivy League schedule.
"We're excited to see how our non-league play prepared us for the Ivy League season," Snyder said. Being 2-0 "is the best we could have asked for."
Unbeaten in their last four games, the streaking Quakers are beginning to play up to the lofty standards they set for themselves at the outset of their season. According to Snyder, the team entered the game against Cornell with supreme belief in themselves.
"The team came to play with confidence," she said. "We're playing like we know we can."
