If you missed Molly Weir this time, you missed an incredible performance.
After a textbook pass from freshman Jess Rothenheber, the speedy Weir juked past the goalie and slipped one into the corner of the net to top off a hat trick and add insurance to her team's healthy lead.
The goal in the 74th minute was Weir's third of the half.
Weir's goals were all the Quakers needed in a dominating 3-0 win against Lafayette last night at Rhodes Field.
"I missed a couple of chances earlier this year, and I am really happy I was able to put some goals in," Weir said.
Penn failed to score in the first half despite several strong opportunities. Offsides calls and several close shots, including a crossbar deflection, silenced the Quakers for the first 45 minutes.
Ambrose promised his team at halftime that "if you create that many chances, you are bound to score a few."
The Quakers, and more specifically Weir, did just that.
Only four days ago, head coach Darren Ambrose challenged the forward to step up her game.
"She needs to learn some composure in and around the box," the coach told The Daily Pennsylvanian before a Sept. 30 matchup with Cornell.
In the 55th minute last night, Weir slid in and one-timed the ball into the upper-right corner past the outstretched Leopards goalie after a beautiful cross from freshman Jessica Fuccello.
In the 59th minute, the sophomore blasted an impressive strike from outside the box into the upper right corner for her second goal.
In the closing minutes, Weir was substituted out and received a standing ovation.
The crowd of 150 appreciated the strong Penn effort and seemed to sense the intensity of this year's rematch.
When asked about the Lafayette game last year, both Weir and Ambrose agreed that last year's disappointing 5-4 loss in Easton, Pa., "absolutely" added motivation to the Quakers.
Unlike last year's game, this dominating Quakers performance would not be spoiled.
Weir's goals came on three of Penn's 23 shots; Lafayette managed just one.
The Quakers seemed to feed off the energy of the night lights and a late start time. The game was the second leg of a men and women's doubleheader, the first of three in a row on the schedule.
"It is always great when we play back-to-back," said Weir.
It would seem these were not the only motivating factors.
The game was also a homecoming for Lafayette's first-year head coach Mick Statham, an assistant coach under Ambrose at Penn just two years ago. However, Ambrose dismissed the notion that Statham's relationship with Penn had any effect on the game.
"It was not an issue," he said.
With the win, the Quakers improved to (6-2-1, 1-1 Ivy). They look to continue their success against Columbia on Saturday at Rhodes Field.
Meanwhile, the Leopards dropped to 3-6-1. They head back to Easton, Pa., to compete against Bucknell Friday night.
The Quakers now lead the all-time series 6-3.
With her three goals, Weir is now tied for the team goal lead with junior Caroline Tuttle.
It looks as if hard work and conditioning have positioned the Quakers for a string of strong performances.
"Match fitness comes over the course of time," Ambrose said.
It may be the perfect time for Penn to gain some momentum.
Five of the Quakers' last eight games are against Ivy League foes.
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