It is a good thing that this weekend was Family Weekend at Penn, because after Saturday's hope-crushing 4-0 home defeat at the hands of Brown, the Penn men's soccer players needed all the hugs they could get.
The loss was the most recent disappointment in a string of four defeats during which the Quakers (6-6-2, 2-2-1 Ivy) have dropped out of the national standings and fallen five spots in the Ivy League standings.
Meanwhile, Brown (7-5-2, 3-2-0) leapfrogged over the struggling Quakers into third place in the Ancient Eight.
As has been the case throughout Penn's losing streak, the Quakers' offense generated few shots on goal, despite creating chances throughout the game.
"We struggled against Seton Hall [on Tuesday] putting the ball on target," Penn coach Rudy Fuller said.
"It seemed like today for the early part of the game we weren't hitting the target. When we get chances, we have to at least make the keeper make a save," he said.
Indeed, while the Quakers outshot Brown, 10-9, Brown landed seven shots on goal compared to Penn's two.
In addition to the Quakers' impotence around the net, the Red and Blue were also plagued with tough luck.
Brown's first goal came in the 27th minute when Bears midfielder Brian Joyce took a left- footed strike that appeared to be curling far to the right of the goal.
As Penn goalie Daniel Cepero floated to his right to defend the shot, the ball struck hard off a Penn defender and ended up in the far left corner of the net.
"It was an unlucky first goal; the ball wasn't going on target and it deflected in," Fuller said.
"We weren't too concerned, we felt the way the game was going we were going to get some goals."
Penn dominated the remainder of the first half, but only 71 seconds into the second half, Brown scored again.
After a Artie Bartholomew free kick rebounded off the cross bar, Brown countered with an attack down the left side, resulting in an easy finish for forward Ibrahim Diane.
After Penn junior Justin Estrada was ejected from the game for his second yellow card only 20 minutes into the second frame, Penn still created a few opportunities to bounce back.
Brown sealed the contest, however, scoring twice in the last five minutes.
The loss was particularly hard for the Penn seniors, who knew that their last season would not culminate in an Ivy League crown.
Penn senior David Maier, who was dangerous and exciting with the ball at his feet all game, was not concerned about the Quakers' ability to stay motivated.
"These are my last games of college soccer so I am just going to enjoy them. Any time I am on the field I am happy, so if I am playing it won't be hard to be motivated," Maier said.
"It feels like you have so much of your career left, but it is gone so quickly," he added.
In 90 minutes on Saturday, Penn's dream of an Ancient Eight championship and an automatic bid to the NCAA College Cup evaporated at the same time.
Brown 1 3 -- 4PENN 0 0 -- 0 First Half -- 1. Joyce (B) 26:54 (unassisted)
Second Half -- 2. Diane (B) 46:11 (Caldwell, Joyce); 3. Caldwell (B) 87:56 (Romaneiro); 4. Davies (B) 89:16 (Gomez)
