It looks like the Penn women's lacrosse team has gotten over its shooting woes.
The Quakers took advantage of an opportunity to show what they can do in front of a home crowd, trouncing Columbia 18-5.
There was little that Penn (6-4, 2-1 Ivy) didn't do right Saturday. Not only did the Quakers get off a season-high 39 shots, but they were very efficient in doing so -- their .462 shooting percentage was a full 90 points higher than their season average.
This offensive explosion made it easy on the defense. The Lions (4-5, 0-4) were left scrambling to even get the ball into the Penn half of the field and were held to just one first-half goal and a mere 12 shots for the game.
"They didn't really test us that much," senior defender and captain Lauren McDermott said. "We definitely played well, but also they didn't really challenge us as much time-wise."
Winning the possession battle is something the Quakers are used to doing, but their ability to take advantage of opportunities near the goal had been lacking.
Although they shot well in a loss to Johns Hopkins earlier in the week, their impressive clip against the Lions may signal a complete rebound. For now, at least, the Penn coaching staff can breathe a sigh of relief.
"You put the ball in the net, it gives everybody confidence," coach Karin Brower said. "We're creating opportunities, no question."
This confidence was noticeable Saturday, as the Quakers exposed each and every vulnerability of the Lions' defense.
Even after jumping out to a 9-1 lead at the half, Penn wouldn't let up and seemed to expect to score every time it was in Columbia territory. This was the case even after its bench was emptied.
Penn's reserves accounted for five goals, including the first of the season for sophomore attacker Andrea Duggan and freshman midfielder Samantha Bird.
"We got everybody in today," Brower said. "I love to have a game like that at least once a year so that all the kids that put the hard work in get a chance on the field."
The Red and Blue's starters may have been grateful to get a chance to rest, but they know their upcoming opponents might provide more of a challenge.
For now, the Quakers are enjoying the victory.
Sophomore midfielder Melissa Lehman -- who scored four goals in the win -- thinks the game was a good release after a series of tough games.
"I think it was a good team to play because we could just really show our strengths and just really get all our frustrations out and dominate finally," she said.
But Penn knows that Columbia was just a pit stop on the road to the postseason -- the real test will begin against No. 15 Penn State Wednesday.
The Quakers will have an extra incentive to rise to the challenge and are eager to prove once and for all that they are completely past the rough patch they hit two weeks ago.
"We all never wanted to feel that way again after those heartbreakers," Lehman said. "I think we're really on the rise now. Everyone's on the same page, so I think it's going up."
