No player on the Penn women's soccer roster has ever experienced a 2-0 start to the Ivy League season. That is, until Saturday, when the Quakers defeated Columbia in New York 2-1.
In knocking off the defending conference champions, the Quakers (8-2-1, 2-0 Ivy) ended Columbia's (6-3-2, 1-1) eight-game unbeaten streak and extended a modest three-game winning streak of their own.
A penalty kick from captain Natalie Capuano in the 73rd minute provided the winner for Penn after Mara Fintzi was taken down in the box.
"It's a huge confidence booster, beating the defending champions," Capuano said.
The game was scoreless until the 62nd minute, when forward Jessica Fuccello headed home a free kick by Jess Rothenheber from 35 yards out. It was Fuccello's league-leading 7th goal of the season.
The lead didn't last long, however, as Columbia converted a penalty kick of its own just over two minutes later. Forward Sophie Reiser cashed in on the opportunity to tie the game.
"It was disappointing to give up that goal, but I think we came together as a team and we were determined to win this game," Capuano said.
Reiser's goal not only tied the game, but it swung momentum in the favor of the home side, according to Penn coach Darren Ambrose.
"Suddenly [the Lions] start to gain momentum and it would have been easy for us to fold," Ambrose said, "but we stood up straight and held ourselves up."
After giving up the equalizing score, the Quakers rebounded by keeping up their constant pressure on the Lions' back line.
"We definitely were more aggressive around the box in the second half," Capuano said. "We needed to test the keeper but still be composed, and we did a good job of that."
Sophomore Sara Rose played all 90 minutes in goal for the Quakers, making three saves. Starter Cailly Carroll sat out the match with a hand injury.
The contest was played very evenly, with each team taking eleven shots. Penn did gain an advantage in corner kicks, 6-3.
"We weren't completely dominant in final third, but we played with a lot more possession," Ambrose said.
The win puts the Quakers in a tie with Princeton atop the Ivy League standings. This eighth victory also brings Penn up to its win total from each of the past two seasons.
The Quakers will try to continue their Ivy success next weekend against Dartmouth, another tester.
