It only took five minutes for the Penn field hockey team to shake off the rust accumulated during a two-week break.
Dartmouth had the ball for the first five minutes of the game, but as soon as Penn got its first possession, the Quakers dominated, winning 5-1. The Red and Blue improve to 3-4 on the season and 2-1 in the Ivy League.
"Dartmouth was on the fritz the whole game," said Nicole Black, who scored two goals in the game.
Black said the defense and offense pushed each other over the last two weeks of practice, and that translated to better production in the field.
"We are really goal hungry," she said -- and it showed.
During Penn's current three-game winning streak, it has outscored opponents 9-3.
"You never know who is going to score," coach Val Cloud said. "It is not just one girl."
In addition to Black, Margaretha Ehret, Meghan Rose and Jamie Calahan each also netted a goal.
Junior Meredith Moran had two assists and was part of a midfield that moved the ball effectively in transition.
"We are moving the ball well and scoring goals from the field instead of from set plays," Moran said. "We are really balanced on both sides of the field."
Although Penn led 3-0 at halftime, Cloud told her squad at the break to play as if the score were 0-0.
Dartmouth goalie Ashley Heist may have been thinking the same thing, as she relieved Jordan Sedlacek, who allowed three goals on four shots, at the beginning of the second.
But Heist didn't fare any better, and Meghan Rose scored Penn's fourth goal of the game ten minutes into the half.
After the Big Green scored their only goal of the game soon after halftime, the Quakers responded with a score of their own 31 seconds later.
Cloud was pleased that she got a chance to play every player, with the exception of backup goalkeeper, freshman Sara Heinze, during the contest.
Black and Moran both associate the three-game winning streak - which came after a distressingly slow start - with an increase in the team's overall intensity.
Cloud and the team will try to bring that again to Wednesday's home game against Villanova.
The Daily Pennsylvanian is an independent, student-run newspaper. Please consider making a donation to support the coverage that shapes the University. Your generosity ensures a future of strong journalism at Penn.
DonatePlease note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.
