W. Lax notebook: Penn's defense so far: Here, there, and everywhere

47 goals allowed.

The Penn women's lacrosse team will pass the halfway point of the season tomorrow at Johns Hopkins, and through seven games the No. 16 Quakers still give up less than seven goals per game. Penn's offense, meanwhile, has been putting goals on the board at a clip of over 11 per game.

Which helps explain statistic No. 2.

One loss.

Two games ago, in a 9-3 win against No. 18 Yale, the Elis' three goals were the lowest output of a Penn opponent since Monmouth also scored three in last season's opener. And it came against an Elis squad that had averaged 11.83 goals coming into the game.

Individually, sophomore Hilary Renna was all over the field, helping to keep the Elis away from the crease and limiting Yale standout Lauren Taylor to only one score, despite her 5.2 goals-per-game average. It earned Renna Ivy League Defensive Player of the Week.

Going into their game this past Saturday against Cornell, the Quakers were fourth in the nation in scoring defense, behind Drexel, No. 2 Northwestern, and No. 1 North Carolina, with an average of 6.80 (versus a goals-for average of 11.33).

Goalkeeper Sarah Waxman has played all but seven and a half minutes between the pipes to help Penn rack up the wins.

"Sarah has been outstanding so far," coach Karin Brower said. "She's been as solid as a rock, and is the backbone of the defense."

Before the Cornell game, Waxman was first in the Ivy League and fourth in the nation in goals against average (6.57). She also led the league in save percentage (.529) and has an Ivy League Defensive Player of the Week honor under her belt.

Even though she gave up nine goals to Cornell, she still played well, especially in the first half. She saved some momentum-swinging shots, including two free position attempts.

Freshman Phenom. On the offensive side, the Quakers' statistical leader is - surprisingly - a freshman. Ali DeLuca leads the team both in goals, with 17, and points, with 20. She is on pace for 43 goals this year, which would tie her for second all-time behind Julie Heller's 58 in 1981.

"Ali is one of the best freshmen we've had," Brower said. "She is great athlete, she has a great shot and she's fiesty."

The last time a freshmen led Penn in goals was two years ago, when current junior Rachel Manson led with 24. The record for freshmen goals is 31, set by Sherry Marcantonio in 1980. Marcantonio went on to become the all-time goals leader with 129 to go along with 108 career assists.

An apple a day. Penn has had few injuries so far this year, with an injury list composed of just two freshmen. Bethany Warren has torn her anterior cruciate ligament, despite showing promise with a goal earlier this season. Walk-on Brynne McNulty is also out for the year.

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