After concluding one of its most promising seasons in recent memory, the Penn women's lacrosse team was still hungry. And with good reason.
Though the Quakers' 2006 campaign yielded a 10-win season for the first time since 1982, their fourth-place finish in the league left them out of the NCAA Tournament and hungry for revenge against their Ancient Eight rivals.
Now, coach Karin Brower has set the bar higher than ever.
"Though last season was our best finish, we were really disappointed, actually," Brower said. "This year our goal is to win the Ivies."
And though accomplishing that end is easier said than done with eight starters returning - and an outstanding freshman class - the Quakers' aspirations are certainly realistic.
Leading the charge for Penn will be senior captains Sarah Eastburn, Karen Jann and Chrissy Muller.
Eastburn and Jann anchor a backline that was ninth in the nation in scoring defense. After starting nine games last year, sophomore Hilary Renna should also see an increased role on the defensive end, especially given the loss of two defenders to graduation.
One of the most prolific scorers in team history, Muller led the Quakers in points and assists last season.
Despite losing four starters, Muller will have plenty of help on offense from a slew of talented returners. Juniors Rachel Manson, Allison Ambrozy and Melissa Lehman - who combined for 62 goals in 2006 - will solidify Penn's attack.
Brower noted that the players have performed especially well so far in practice, despite having to battle frigid temperatures and icy field conditions.
Despite the cold, the Quakers have trained outside every day in preparation for the upcoming season, alternating between watching film and doing drills outdoors at Franklin Field.
"It hasn't been that hard," Muller said.
Brower added that the team is on schedule with its workouts and has not suffered any setbacks or major injuries during the off season.
"We're where we are typically at this point," she said. "Usually our midfield is a bit weaker, . but this year it's a bit reversed."
In addition, Penn will field a deeper team than ever this season, with Brower calling her first-year players "the best freshman class we've ever had."
The Class of 2010 includes some of the best recruits in the country, such as midfielder Ali DeLuca, a high school All-American, and attacker Bethany Warren, an honorable mention All-American.
If the Quakers accomplish their goal of winning the Ivy League, they will reach the first round of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1984.
In fact, Penn ended last season ranked 20th in the IWLCA poll, earning a spot in those rankings for the first time since 1994. But with that will come a more difficult schedule this year, with seven opponents this season that were ranked in the final top 20 poll from 2006.
With the NCAA Lacrosse Championship set to take place at Franklin Field, Penn's goal does not involve sitting in the stands.
