W. Lax beats Brown in Ivy finale

Emily Cochran walked off of Franklin Field on a good note.

The senior midfielder, one of Penn's all-time best offensive players, ended her Ivy career with a three-goal two-assist performance in the Penn women's lacrosse team's decisive 15-6 victory over Brown (4-9, 1-4 Ivy) Saturday.

The steady rain on Senior Day couldn't faze the No. 20 Red and Blue (9-6, 4-3), which looked sharp on the offensive and defensive ends.

While they won't win the Ivy League, this win will allow the Quakers stay alive in the race for an at-large NCAA Tournament bid.

Senior attacker Ali Ryan chipped in two goals and an assist, while senior midfielder Kate Parker and senior defender Lauren McDermott played staunch defense in their final home game in Red and Blue.

Led by the six seniors in the starting lineup -- including attacker Blair Soden, making her first career start -- Penn jumped out to a 3-0 lead and didn't look back, taking an 8-3 advantage into halftime.

This early dominance was key for the Quakers, as they forced Brown to play at their pace.

"We wanted to come out play hard, control the tempo," Cochran said. We wanted to "basically run the score up."

Penn did this the best way it knows how -- by applying constant pressure to the opposing defense and keeping the ball out of their opponents' hands.

Even when the Bears did manage to stop the Quakers, they couldn't seem to move the ball upfield. Penn's attack relentlessly hounded Brown's defense, resulting in eight failed clears for the Bears.

"I think that's always been our game plan, to have our trap," coach Karin Brower said. We "try to keep the ball on the attack as much as possible and create more and more opportunities for ourselves."

And the opportunities were abundant for the Quakers. Penn got off 38 shots and scored more goals than Brown had attempts.

The Bears could only muster 13 shots in the entire game, but couldn't get much past senior Karrie Moore, who had five saves.

Despite being a must-win game for Penn, the atmosphere at Franklin Field was noticeably loose.

After the underclassmen took turns praising their graduating teammates, it was clear the Quakers were determined to get a victory, and they were going to have a good time doing it.

"I'm happy we played like we did," Cochran said. "We all went out there and just had fun. We played our hearts out and played as a team. It was a great game."

With a two-week layoff ahead, Penn was happy to halt a two-game skid, but its tournament fate is anything but decided.

The Quakers may control their own destiny in getting their first tournament berth since 1984 when they travel to play Syracuse next month.

But that date seemed a long ways away against No. 13 Orange. The Red and Blue was content to just see off the senior class in a fitting manner.

"To win on the home field is great," Brower said. "They've been the best leaders we've ever had, and they just want to be out here. They put their heart and soul into it every day.

"They make their teammates want to play for them, and you can't ask more than that."

However, the seniors will have to work their magic one last time before they leave if they want their mark on the Penn to be a lasting one.

A long-awaited tourney bid would be the perfect parting gift.

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