Penn field hockey coach Val Cloud admits she doesn't know much about the Bucknell squad. But by Saturday night, Cloud hopes to figure out the Quakers' Sunday opponent.
After playing Lock Haven (8-4) tonight, the Quakers (3-5, 2-1 Ivy) will travel to Bucknell and stay there through Saturday night before playing the Bison (6-4) Sunday at 1 p.m.
And while the Quakers will be mulling their game against Lock Haven, Cloud will have note pad in hand while the Bison take on No. 15 American tomorrow at noon.
"They have a tough game, so I'm going to scout that game," Cloud said.
Although this weekend's travel will be daunting, the Quakers are looking forward to the rare opportunity.
"This is the first time we've ever done something like this," junior goalkeeper Alanna Butera said. "It should be interesting and the team will have a lot of fun. But these two games are going to be tough. I'm not sure how it's going to go."
Although they are 3-1 at home this year, the Quakers are winless on the road so far. They have been outscored 12-5 away from Franklin Field.
But the Quakers have improved since their disastrous 0-4 road trip at the beginning of the year. And even though No. 21 Villanova hung a tough overtime loss on Penn Wednesday, Cloud saw some positives from the game.
"We're very disappointed," Cloud said. "But we have to be proud about the way we played. Hopefully we can learn some lessons from the video of that game."
The Wildcats' array of penalty corners are one place to start.
"We gave up 15 corners to Villanova," Cloud said. "That can't happen. We do have to fix that."
Unlike the emotional rivalry with Villanova, there's very little history between Penn and the two opponents this weekend. Lock Haven has only been in Division I since 2004, and the Quakers only faced the Eagles once, winning 2-1 last year. As for Bucknell, the Quakers also have only played them once, winning 4-1 in 1999.
To keep their undefeated record intact, the Quakers must contain a face-paced attack from both squads. The Eagles are fifth in D-I with 3.33 goals per game, and Bucknell isn't that much farther down. They rank 13th with 3. Penn is tied for 39th with 2.
The Eagles are led by sophomore Blair Wynne, who has 19 points on the year.
"I'd much rather have to handle an individual or two than a whole team," Cloud said. "That will be the big thing. We shut down their speed and a couple of individuals that have speed, then we should be in good shape."
If the Quakers can do that, maybe they'll finally earn a road victory.
