On paper, Villanova should be overmatched. But when a team is playing its first game of the season - as is the Quakers' men's lacrosse squad - no one knows what to expect.
Yes, Penn has been ranked 13th by Inside Lacrosse, and yes, it did make the NCAA tournament last year.
No, the Wildcats can't claim either.
But these Quakers are now missing over half of their scoring offense after the graduation of Jim Riordan, D.J. Andrzejewski, and Alan Eberstein.
This year's team is relatively young and inexperienced, featuring only seven seniors and 26 freshmen and sophomores.
Adding to those variables is the fact that Penn-'Nova affairs "are usually dogfights" according to Craig Andrzejewski, D.J.'s brother.
Last year, the Quakers beat the Wildcats 9-6 at Franklin Field. But in the disappointing 2004-05 campaign, Penn lost 10-7 at Villanova, which is hosting this season's matchup.
In contrast to the Quakers, Villanova returns much of its scoring offense. Senior Andy German is back to command the midfield, and he has looks to be in sharp form already with a hat trick against Lafayette last Saturday.
Another dangerous player that Penn coach Brian Voelker will try to control is senior stalwart and face-off specialist Chris Colliniates.
But overall, Voelker warns that Villanova's offense is predicated on outworking its opponents.
"They play hard," he said. "Their attack rides hard, they get after you in the middle of the field, and their defense gets after you. We have to come out ready to play."
Nonetheless, Voelker doesn't seem overly nervous about the matchup.
While Villanova may be the older and more experienced team, the coach cites the Red and Blue's own experience as important. Senior David Cornbrooks will lead the midfield and classmates Mark Haase and Matt Kelleher anchor the defense.
Furthermore, Voelker also points out that some of the sophomores on the team possess experience of their own. Alex Weber started 13 of 14 games last season and figures to play a more prominent role this season.
On the field, Voelker feels that Penn is well suited to face Villanova.
"I think we match up well with their attack," he said. "They have some middies that we can do a good job on."
The Quakers feel like the only thing that could hurt them today will be a lack of mental preparation.
"We should be able to move the ball well," Andrzejewski said. "If we can just play our game, we'll be alright."
However, the sophomore added that "practice has been slow this week" but that he hopes it will get up to snuff by game time today.
That's the one aspect that concerns his coach.
"The bottom line is that we have to come out and play well we should win the game," Voelker said. "But if we don't, then we'll have a tough time beating them."
