The story of the first half Saturday was both familiar and promising for the women’s soccer team.
In the 20th minute of the night game against Columbia, the Quakers were losing 1-0, courtesy of Lions junior Chrissy Butler.
This type of early deficit has worked favorably for Penn in the past, like in last Friday’s comeback win over Cornell, and most notably in the come-from-behind victory over La Salle Sep. 6.
After falling behind 1-0 early on in that contest, senior Jessica Fuccello caught fire to the tune of four goals as the Quakers won 5-2.
So after Fuccello headed home an equalizer for her Ivy League-leading 12th goal of the season immediately following Butler’s goal Saturday, surely a repeat performance was in order?
Not this time.
The Quakers fell, 4-2, to Columbia, in a loss that teases the memories of the Red and Blue and coach Darren Ambrose (who did not return repeated requests for comment).
If last season is any indication, the defeat was a serious blow to their hopes for the rest of the season.
After a strong start in the first two Ivy games last year, the team went without a win for the rest of the Ivy schedule following a draw against the Lions (5-5-2, 2-1-0 Ivy).
So with a loss to Harvard already on the books, the Quakers (6-3-2, 1-2-0) now have their work cut out if they are to avoid another slump.
At least one Penn player had cause for celebration. After a go-ahead goal by Lions sophomore Ashlin Yahr five minutes before half time, Quakers junior midfielder Sarah Friedman scored for the first time this season as Penn tied the score once more in the 53rd minute.
Unfortunately for the Red and Blue it was the hosts who scored the game’s remaining goals, in rapid succession.
Two minutes after Friedman found the back of Columbia’s net, Yahr scored again at the other end with the help of senior Sophie Reiser, whose two assists during the match earned her an unchallenged spot at the top of Columbia’s all-time assist list.
Already having a good night, Reiser scored the fourth and final goal from 15 yards out in the 58th minute — just five minutes after Friedman’s equalizer.
Reiser nearly notched a second goal in the 66th minute, which would have moved her just two points shy of tying the Lions’ all-time scoring record of 86 career points.
Penn defender Michelle Drugan came close to a late consolation goal as well on a penalty in the 80th minute, but Columbia goalkeeper Lillian Klein managed to pull off the most critical of her six saves of the game to send the Quakers home disappointed.
Penn will face Binghamton Wednesday before closing with four Ivy games that will determine if this season ends as poorly as last year did.
