No matter how many times you knock them down, they're going to get right back up - and probably score a couple of goals while they're at it.
Despite suffering their fair share of bumps and bruises, the Penn women's soccer team has managed to rise above considerable adversity early this season to post a 4-1-1 record.
This year's version of the Red and Blue knows how to play through pain. Sophomores Cailly Carroll and Jessica Fuccello, two of the Quakers' team leaders, have been among the early-season injury casualties.
Carroll, the Quakers starting goalkeeper, suffered a laceration to her forehead during practice several weeks ago. While she missed one week of practice to recover, she now has a clean bill of health and is thrilled to be back in the net for her team.
"My head is healing - I have the okay to play," she said. "I played in [the team's last road trip to] Chicago and I felt fine, I felt good."
Fuccello, who leads the Quakers in goals with five, was injured during a recent match at Northwestern. After having her arm bruised by an aggressive Wildcat's slide-tackle, she responded by scoring two goals during the following game against Loyola-Chicago.
"Playing in the stadium [home of Major League Soccer's Chicago Fire and site of the recent Loyola-Chicago match] was really exciting," Fuccello said. "I didn't really want to lose to Loyola while playing on an MLS field, so I think that kind of gave me an edge."
Healthy or not, the Quakers now must prepare for a weekend that is sure to thrill Philadelphia collegiate soccer fans of all stripes.
Later today, Penn will play host to their crosstown rivals, 4-2 La Salle of the Atlantic 10. On Sunday, the Quakers will head out to Villanova, Pa., to face the Wildcats, bearer of a 5-0-2 record and member of the Big East.
With a sweep this weekend, the Quakers would improve their record over their Philadelphia rivals to 3-0 on the season. Penn already defeated St. Joseph's earlier in the season, and the team is well-aware that they are a mere two victories away from being crowned unofficial city champs.
"I think it is a defining point where we can show, based on our performances, that we are the best [of] the city of Philadelphia schools," Carroll said.
Quakers coach Darren Ambrose hopes his team is ready for what is already shaping up to be a marathon weekend.
"If we want to win, we're going to have to do what we did against Loyola, we have to do what we did against Michigan State: . Get the ball on the ground and use our strengths," he said.
