Wild attack facing M. Lax this weekend

Penn men's lacrosse coach Brian Voelker is pretty familiar with the concept of "sleeping with the enemy."

In fact, some of his own players are guilty of that offense. And with a city rival, no less.

"I'm sure our guys know [Villanova's] guys," Voelker said. "I know in years past a couple of kids on the team have had girlfriends out there."

Voelker and the Quakers (1-0) will need to keep their enemies as close to them as they can if they hope to upend the high-powered Wildcats (2-0, 1-0 Big East) in the latter's home opener Saturday in Villanova, Pa.

Villanova is led by senior attackman Tim Driscoll, who has scored seven goals on only 12 shots-on-goal this season.

Outside of Driscoll, junior attackman Paul Webber anchors the potent Wildcat offense, posting a team-leading eight points with an even four goals and four assists.

But Voelker contends that his defense cannot afford to focus on any one player.

"[Driscoll] is not really the kid that is going to take over the game," Voelker said. "We have to control their whole attack."

That "whole attack" - which sports four players who have scored at least two goals already - has proven lethal in Villanova's first two games, combining for a total of 20 goals in victories over Rutgers and Lafayette.

As much as their offense has shone in the early season, so has the Wildcats' defense. Villanova has allowed only four goals in each of its first two games.

By comparison, Penn's only game of the season was a 9-8 nailbiting win at Drexel.

But the Quakers' attackmen are not scared. Not by a long shot.

"As a whole, I think they are very beatable." sophomore attackman Corey Winkoff said. "They have got a lot of weaknesses."

The Red and Blue will have time to find those weaknesses; the Wildcats have been cultivating a down-tempo, methodical style in their first couple games.

But quick focus should not be a problem for Winkoff, Voelker and the Quakers.

After all, they seem to be zoning out the implications that are always palpable when two Philadelphia-area teams meet up, be it on the gridiron, hardwood or lacrosse field.

Just ask Voelker.

"[We] can't worry about the battle of Philly and who has better cheesesteaks," the seventh-year coach said. "We just gotta win."

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