If the Penn men's soccer team --had any doubt about who would mind the net, it need look no further than the man currently occupying the starting role.
After splitting time with two other goalkeepers last season, senior Drew Healy has staked a strong claim to the starter's role, playing all of both games this weekend and letting in no goals.
"Drew obviously had a very strong performance," coach Rudy Fuller said. "He came out on the ball well. He had a big-time save in each game, which is all you can ask of your keeper. I think he was a large reason for our success."
As a junior last season, Healy started 12 of the team's 17 games and was in goal for about 70 percent of the minutes.
The rest of the time was split between then-sophomore Kevin Sweetland and then-freshman Ben Berg. None of the trifecta had seen playing time before last season.
Although no goalie truly grabbed hold of the starting position last year, Healy's two shutouts early in 2008- his first two with the Quakers - clearly give him the inside track on the job.
Still, he is reluctant to take charge yet. While he noted that he feels comfortable in net, Healy - named the Philadelphia Soccer Seven Player of the Week - cites team defense as the leading force behind the shutouts.
"I give all the credit to the guys in front of me," Healy said. "I had four saves on the weekend and the team had four team saves. It wasn't just a one-man performance."
First step is the hardest. Freshman midfielder Christian Barreiro didn't waste much time living up to his reputation.
Named one of CollegeSoccerNews.com's 100 Freshmen to Watch, Barreiro proved he is an impact player, scoring his first collegiate goal on Sunday against DePaul in only his second game with the Quakers.
With Penn leading, 1-0, Barreiro tapped in a feed from forward Andrew Ferry. The goal came with only five minutes remaining, effectively sealing match and tournament victories for the Red and Blue.
Fuller conceded that the rookie was not at the top of his game this weekend, but noted that his dedication is beginning to pay off.
"Even on days when he's not at his best, he works so hard that he still causes some problems," Fuller said. "I think that goal is a prime example of that. It's good to get rewarded for hard work."
Off the bench, into the spotlight. Injured players came off the bench to make a significant impact in the Quakers' win over DePaul.
Senior Omid Shokoufandeh, hurt through the preseason, was a reserve in both games, but notched Penn's first goal of the season in the 49th minute on Sunday.
Additionally, Ferry began both games on the bench after starting 15 games last season. According to Fuller, the senior is being eased back into action after being hampered with a foot injury throughout the preseason.
He sat out the 0-0 tie against Marquette, but came in against DePaul and tallied the assist on Barreiro's goal.
"We were trying to limit his minutes this weekend," Fuller said. "We were hoping to get through Friday's game against Marquette without needing to use him . He gave us some good minutes on Sunday because of that."
