In its first four games of the season, the men's soccer team has looked impressive, going 3-0-1 without allowing a single goal. Up to this point, however, Penn has done it all away from home, winning tournaments at Marquette and then at Princeton.
That changes this weekend, when the Quakers host Buffalo tonight and Mercer on Sunday afternoon as part of the seventh annual Penn Soccer Classic. The squad is excited to finally open its home slate.
"It's really nice to be back," said senior goalkeeper Drew Healy. "The trip out to Milwaukee was great, and being at Princeton was nice, but there's nothing better than playing here under the lights at home."
The Rhodes Field lights will be shining the brightest on Healy. If he can keep the Bulls (5-2, 1-0 MAC) scoreless, he will set a school record with his fifth consecutive shutout. He tied 1972 goalkeeper Jim Miller's mark on Sunday against American.
It won't be easy, as the Bulls have proved themselves more than proficient on the offensive end. In their five wins, they have scored 13 goals.
Healy and the defense know that right now, it's most important for the team to build momentum for the Ivy season, which begins Oct. 4.
"I don't think the fact that we're doing well defensively now adds pressure onto it," Healy said. "I think it's a good place to start building from."
The Quakers definitely care more about the Penn Soccer Classic than either of their first two tournaments. They won it for four consecutive years until losing a game at last year's tournament, leaving them with a 1-1 record.
"I wouldn't call it pressure, but there's definitely a sense of pride on this field," said senior Andrew Ferry. "And the Penn Soccer Classic, knowing that it's ours, we have to take it."
The Red and Blue are in a great position to do so. They recently earned a No. 10 ranking in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Northeast Region poll as well as votes in the CollegeSoccerNews.com poll.
While Buffalo toppled Bucknell earlier this season, it lost to both Michigan and Michigan State last week. Mercer (0-3-2) has struggled this season, losing, 5-0, to Alabama A&M.; The Bears will also be making their first trip to the Northeast since 2003.
In the other half of the Penn Soccer Classic, Buffalo and Mercer will travel to Temple this weekend to take on the Owls.
But if the Quakers can protect their house as well as they've protected the net this season, they should have no problem regaining the Penn Soccer Classic title.
