Considering what has happened in the last several weeks, the men's soccer team now has little reason to be intimidated by a big-conference opponent.
The Quakers take on Seton Hall, the first of two Big East opponents, tonight at Rhodes Field. The game kicks off at 5 p.m.
The Big East has made a habit of beating up on the Ivy League in many sports. But this trend may not apply to soccer.
"Last year, the Ivy League was rated one of the top five conferences in the country, so . we feel on par with" the Big East, said head coach Rudy Fuller. "The Ivy League is as strong as it ever has been."
The Quakers and the Pirates are very familiar with each other, having played each other four times in the past four years. However, Penn has not won a matchup since the 2002 NCAA Tournament. In last year's game, Seton Hall dealt Penn a 3-0 loss, helped by a pair of goals from the Quakers.
"We have struggled against them in the past, and it would be really nice to get a good win against a good team," senior forward Ryan Tracy said.
The game marks the start of a three-game homestand for the Quakers. After Seton Hall, Penn plays Columbia and Rutgers. The team has won its last three games at home by a combined margin of eight goals to one. Penn is hoping to maintain the undefeated home record.
"We feel like the crowds have been building a little bit," senior defender Andy Howard said. "There is a buzz around the team."
The Quakers are coming off a strong win against Cornell in Ithaca, N.Y. The team only scored one goal but outshot the Big Red 12-10 in a shutout victory. Tracy felt the game was one of the team's "best performances of the year."
Penn currently stands at 6-2, 2-0 Ivy, and is currently the only team with two wins in league play.
Meanwhile, Seton Hall has been battling through a brutal schedule that has included three ranked teams. Their record (7-4, 5-2 Big East) is impressive considering the competition.
The Quakers may face an uphill test now, but the trial could pay dividends down the road during the Ivy League slate and when the selection committee convenes to decide the NCAA Tournament field.
"We try and [create] a challenging schedule each year," Fuller said.
Seton Hall leads the all-time series, 10-2.
