Against top-ranked Princeton last week, Penn women's squash lost its captain, Emily Goodwin, early on in the match to a knee injury. It was a devastating blow for the Quakers, who are still feeling the effects of the senior's absence.
As a result of the senior's injury, the Red and Blue are short-handed heading into this weekend's matches. The rest of the team must step up Saturday against No. 4 Harvard (6-0, 3-0 Ivy) and Sunday against No. 8 Dartmouth (7-6, 0-4).
"It's tough without Emily. She's a great leader for our team, works hard every day, and is an asset to our top nine," senior Tara Chawla said.
But Goodwin will still be around to provide leadership for her No. 2 Quakers (8-1, 3-1).
"On game day we all have to go out there and do our individual thing, but she's still going to be around for support," Chawla said. "It's also kind of pushing us. If we're not going to do it for ourselves, we're going to do it for Emily. If I'm not giving it my all, and she has to sit there and watch me slack off, that's even worse for her."
According to coach Jack Wyant, Harvard is "the more challenging team." Not only did the Crimson defeat the Quakers, 5-4, in a preseason scrimmage, but they also handily defeated No. 3 Trinity this week, 7-2. Penn only defeated Trinity by a 5-4 margin.
"They're not the most experienced team we'll play this year, but they've got our respect, that's for sure," Wyant said of Harvard.
Last year Penn narrowly defeated Harvard, 5-4, and this year will be just as challenging. Although they lost two seniors, the Crimson gained a number of strong, young players who contribute to the team's depth.
"I really think they've got a good deal of strength from No. 2 on down," Wyant said. "I think Kristen [Lange] has an edge at number one, though."
Lange, a junior, will likely play sophomore June Tiong, who recently lost to Trinity's Nour Baghat. Baghat served Lange her first individual loss of the season.
"We have a pretty good shot at anyone on their ladder," Chawla said. "There could be a lot of five-game matches."
The rest of the team shares Chawla's positive attitude, despite coming off its first loss of the season at the hands of the Tigers.
"We've definitely put Princeton behind us and we know we have just as much to gain as before," senior captain Alisha Turner said. "There's a lot to benefit off of playing well against Harvard and Dartmouth."
Dartmouth is "in the developmental stage," according to Turner. Last year Penn defeated the Big Green, 9-0. However, the Quakers won't take them lightly.
"We want to throw the first punch, that's the mentality," Wyant said.
This weekend will tell whether Harvard and Dartmouth can handle the blow.
