There are a variety of adjectives that could be used to describe the offense of the Penn men's soccer team in recent weeks: weak, powerless, inept, awful.
The bottom line for the Quakers (6-2-2, 2-2-1 Ivy) is that they have only managed to put three goals into the net during their past five matches, none of which resulted in a victory. Two such goals came late in the game against Seton Hall on Oct. 26, long after the outcome had already been decided.
The Red and Blue have also been shut out three times.
If a continuous pattern had developed throughout the season, the performance, or lack thereof, by the Penn offense would not be surprising. However, the Quakers produced at least one goal in each of their first 10 games.
Despite the lack of productivity, Penn has still managed to outshoot three of its five opponents during its winless streak. The Quakers' problems can be explained by one simple stat -- shots on goal. In no match during their streak did the Red and Blue send more shots on net than their opponents, averaging only four per game.
"Sometimes we get a little too hasty in what we're trying to do and we rush the last passes," Penn junior Erik Violante said. "We just need to stay more calm up front and have ice running through our blood. We're definitely getting the chances, we're just sometimes over-anticipating and that's where it goes wrong."
The fact is, shots that are not on goal will not result in points, no matter how much the Quakers wish the ball into the back of the net.
Penn's attack, although weak in recent weeks, cannot shoulder all the blame for the Quakers' recent performance. In the last two games, the Penn defense has given up nine goals. Early in the season, the Quakers relied heavily on goalie Daniel Cepero, but the sophomore has cooled off lately after earning four shutouts in a stretch of five games. The defense has been unable to pick up the pace.
"We obviously need to respond on the attack, get the equalizer and get ourselves back in the game," Penn coach Rudy Fuller said. "But giving away an unfortunate goal at the start of the game isn't an excuse to give away more goals as the game progresses."
Fuller believes that his team continued to play well until it faced Seton Hall. Prior to that 5-2 rout, the Quakers battled valiantly against Yale and Maryland, the latter of which is currently ranked No. 6 in the NSCAA/Adidas national rankings. Maryland led Penn 1-0 late at Rhodes Field and the Quakers had multiple scoring chances, but failed to put home the equalizer. On Oct. 23 against Yale, the Quakers surrendered a goal with less than 15 minutes remaining and were unable to respond.
Although not yet mathematically eliminated, the Quakers would need a miracle to win the Ivy League title. With the parity in the league -- four teams are within one game of first-place Dartmouth -- it will also be difficult for the Quakers to garner an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.
Penn maintains that despite its current situation, its philosophy has not changed. But the final three games will undoubtedly affect how the Quakers look back at this season.
"You don't want to be part of a losing team. We were doing so well in the past, it would be a shame for us to slip below .500," senior Matthew Waddell said.
"No one wants to leave the sport with a bad taste in their mouth. It is important that we put the best foot forward for Penn men's soccer."
Against American today, the Quakers will look to right their season, which has quickly turned sour.
"They're a very good team. They challenge you to stay with them for 90 minutes," Fuller said of American. "At this point in the season for us, what we have gone through in the past couple of games, it's a great test for our guys to get back to where we want to be."
