For weeks, Penn women's soccer coach Darren Ambrose has been preaching that his team must play at a high level for a full 90 minutes. Senior Molly Weir appears to have taken that message to heart.
With 22 seconds left in yesterday's match and Penn already ahead 3-0 against University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Weir ran at full speed after a pass down the right side. At the same time, UMBC goalkeeper Catie Bukowski left the box to prevent an easy goal.
The result was a violent collision that left both players sprawled on the field.
"[The collision] took me by surprise," Weir said. "I didn't expect her to fly through me like that."
Ambrose was happy that his team played at full intensity until the clock reached zero, securing the 3-0 victory.
"They're hungry," Ambrose said. "I think it shows they knew they wanted to be better and they wanted to continue to play for the entire game."
The Quakers (3-3-1) started out sluggish in the opening minutes before taking control for the rest of the match. Although Penn created several opportunities, only one was converted when Kristin Kaiser put back the rebound on a Mara Fintzi shot that was deflected by a UMBC defender.
"We had a talk at halftime and said we just need to settle down . and do what we do best and try to create some chances," Weir said.
Apparently the talk worked, as Penn dominated time of possession and outshot UMBC (1-9-0) 14-2 in the second frame.
"I thought we were a little bit more direct, which we needed to be," Ambrose said. "It took us a while, but once we figured it out we kept doing it and doing it."
After a flurry of close chances, Penn finally broke through for a second goal at the 59:58 mark. Junior Michelle Drugan slipped behind UMBC's back line at midfield, then sprinted 60 yards down the left side before burying a shot into the upper right corner for her first collegiate goal.
Junior Allyson Gordon finished the scoring after depositing a beautiful cross from Weir into the near post.
Yesterday's match also marked the return of forward Jess Rothenheber following hamstring and lower back injuries.
"It's going to be a slow process [to] just inch my way back . and see how much I can handle," she said.
Although Rothenheber said she was not yet at 100 percent, Ambrose said she still provided a spark in limited action.
"Everyone got excited when she got on the field - the kids on the bench, the parents, everyone," Ambrose said. "What you saw immediately was how she understands the game. She touched the ball two or three times and looked dangerous with it."
Yesterday's match was Penn's final tune-up before opening the Ivy schedule at home against Harvard on Saturday. The veteran Quakers say they are ready to defend their crown.
"Today was a little slower than it has been the past couple weeks," Weir said, "but we've been building throughout the season working towards the start of Ivy play."
