The Quakers sat in silence with coaches, friends and fans, their eyes glued to the television. In the next few moments, they would hear a list of the field hockey teams to participate in the NCAA Tournament later this month. The announcements began, starting with North Carolina and ending with defending champion Wake Forest. The team strained to hear the news they so desperately wanted to hear.
News that would never come.
Some tears and hugs later, the Quakers (13-4, 6-1 Ivy) could finally step back and reflect on their completed 2004 season, as they gathered for dinner at Cavanaugh's Restaurant.
They had assembled to watch the selection show for this year's NCAA Field Hockey Tournament; however, being denied a chance at the national title did not detract from this season's overwhelming success.
"We came tonight knowing it was a slim chance," Penn coach Val Cloud said. "I can't say we were surprised."
Still, hopes ran high, especially among the seniors. Fearing the end of their field hockey careers, they watched their last season at Penn slip away.
But what a year it was.
"When we met before the season, we set a bunch of goals for ourselves," senior tri-captain Sara Shelley said. "We accomplished every one."
Aside from clinching a share of the Ivy League title with Harvard (11-6, 6-1), the Red and Blue also won their last eight games, seven of which were shutouts. On top of everything, they beat Princeton (7-10, 5-2), a feat they hadn't accomplished in 10 years.
"When [the seniors] were seniors in high school applying to Penn, we were eighth in the Ivy League and the only team to lose to Columbia," senior All-American Liz Lorelli said. "And now we are the best."
"Last year we were fifth in the Ivy League," Shelley said. "And that was considered a breakout season. I don't think that we ever thought we'd be 13-4 by our senior year."
Every Quakers player will receive her Ivy League title ring. Four of the players were further honored with All-Ivy recognition.
Freshman defender Melissa Black was named Ivy Rookie of the Year, a title not received by a Penn player since 1985. As starting sweeper, Black played an integral role in the team's defense, which earned seven straight shutouts. She was named Ivy Rookie of the Week twice during the season. Black was also chosen for the All-Ivy second team.
Lorelli, sophomore goalie Liz Schlossberg and junior midfielder Lea Salese were all chosen for the first team.
Despite such honors, Cloud and others point to unity, not individual talent, as the team's biggest strength.
"We won the big games because the team won," Cloud said. "They played so well together. It takes a team to win, not any one individual."
"We set out our goals and got all of them," senior tri-captain Kate Murphy said. "But the great thing is that we did it with our best friends."
Perhaps the key to these friends' success is their ability to let loose and have fun.
"It's a self-proclaimed title, but we've got to be the happiest team," Shelley said.
Aside from support within the team, the players express great gratitude to the parents, friends, students and other athletes who crowded the sidelines on both home and foreign turf.
At the last game, "we had more fans than Princeton did," Cloud said. "The team really appreciated it. Knowing that everyone is behind them makes a big difference."
