When the Penn field hockey team last faced Columbia, the Quakers were done in by a controversial call and an Ariel Leon goal eight minutes into overtime.
At Franklin Field on Sunday, they'll be looking to avenge that 1-0 loss on Oct. 14 of last year and rebound from blowout losses to No. 1 Maryland and No. 16 Drexel.
"We have to start well," Penn coach Val Cloud said. "We have to score first and we have to get some confidence back here on the field. I think we can do that."
The Quakers (2-10, 1-2 Ivy) will face a potent Columbia offense led by junior forward Christine Buszczak, who set the single-season school record for assists in Columbia's win over Hofstra on Oct. 15.
The Red and Blue will depend on senior goalie Alanna Butera to keep the Lions (9-2, 1-2) - who have won four straight - at bay. Butera leads the Ivy League with 90 saves, but her 2.45 goals against average and .738 save percentage are more pedestrian. They rank seventh and sixth in the league, respectively.
On Wednesday, senior Rachel Eng provided a spark of hope for the Quakers, as she maneuvered her way through the Drexel defense to tie the game at one apiece.
Yet the Quakers' offense was ultimately hindered by Drexel's man-to-man defense, and the Dragons exploded for four goals in the second half.
Cloud stressed the importance of cohesion in order to counter the Lions' offensive prowess as well as senior goalkeeper Gena Miller, who has four shutouts this year.
"Columbia moves the ball well and they are aggressive," she said. "I think our problem right now has been playing as a team. I think we have a good shot on Sunday and we want to keep the Ivy [championship] hopes alive."
Penn is also looking forward to returning to Franklin Field after playing three straight and eight of nine on the road.
"Columbia is going to be a good opponent," Cloud said, "but we have them at home and we have not been home too much."
