The Penn women's soccer team finally got its offense going with a 6-0 explosion against Robert Morris, just in time to face the toughest defense it will see all season.
On Sunday, the Quakers (7-3-1, 1-2 Ivy) travel to Hanover, N.H., to meet Dartmouth, the only remaining undefeated team in the Ivy League.
The Big Green (8-3-1, 3-0 Ivy) has momentum of its own.
While they may not have won by a six-goal margin in their Wednesday game, the Big Green did defeat No. 10 Boston University, 1-0. That victory stretched Dartmouth's undefeated streak to seven games.
Although Penn coach Darren Ambrose admits that Dartmouth has "put [itself] in the driver's seat to win the Ivy League," the Quakers remain confident that they can take down any opponent.
"We see it as an opportunity," Ambrose said. "There's not a player or member of our staff who doesn't believe we can go up there and beat them. They're a good team, but so are we; we just have to find our stride and maybe come in with a little confidence now."
Dartmouth's strongest asset is goalkeeper Amanda Webb and her supporting defensive unit, which has not allowed a single goal in seven games, a shutout streak that has lasted nearly a month.
Webb has started all but two of the Big Green's games this season, and has 39 saves so far - good for a save percentage of nearly .900.
Ambrose is not especially worried about this shutout streak, however, as he believes his team's speed and athleticism are superior to any team Dartmouth has faced.
This speedy Quakers attack, led by freshman forward and leading goal-scorer Jessica Fuccello - who has four points in the last three games - should prove to be especially important in setting the pace and seizing an early lead.
Freshman Molly Weir, who scored a hat trick two games ago against Lafayette, could also be a key offensive force.
"If we can get on the board, I think it changes the game," Ambrose said. "I think they have to chase the game a little bit. We'd like to come out hard and fast like we did" Wednesday.
The team is slightly disappointed with the way it has begun the Ivy League season. The Quakers view this game as a chance to improve their 1-2 Ivy League record, one that they believe is not indicative of their performance thus far in the season.
The Quakers are simply casting aside all the trends and odds that would seem to foretell a rough weekend on the road. It is this confidence gained from their seven previous wins and six-goal margin of victory Wednesday which could be the intangible difference-maker as they look to make a statement and spoil their opponent's Homecoming weekend.
As Ambrose put it, "We know we've got to play our best to win the game. And I know that our best is good enough to win the game."
