Before taking the field Friday, the Penn women’s lacrosse team was in a three-way tie for first place in the Ivy League. That night, the Quakers went to sleep knowing they were one step closer to a conference title.
Penn (7-4, 5-0 Ivy) celebrated the amazing contributions of its seniors before the game, and in return, a trio of upperclassmen put together one of the most clutch performances in recent memory, leading the Red and Blue to a huge 8-7 victory over Dartmouth.
The win was even more special to the seniors after Dartmouth knocked off the Red and Blue in the Ivy League championship last year.
“We really wanted to go out and get revenge today,” senior attack Caroline Bunting said. “Being back on this field playing the same team, it was a great feeling to pull this one out.”
The first half was a back and forth battle, with the Big Green (8-5, 4-1) scoring first for the early lead, but seniors Maddie Poplawski and Bunting each found the back of the net as time wound down, giving the Quakers a one goal advantage heading into the half.
It took all 30 minutes of the second half to determine a winner.
The Red and Blue upped their lead to two with an impressive goal from senior Meredith Cain, but Dartmouth answered quickly to tie the game at five.
After that, things got crazy.
SEE ALSO
Time for payback for Penn women’s lacrosse
Penn women’s lacrosse gets a hat trick of hat tricks
Free positions a key part of Quakers’ offense
Penn women’s lacrosse breaks out in second half to beat Lehigh
An impressive display of speed and power from Bunting got the Quakers back the lead, but Dartmouth answered yet again to tie the teams at six.
It would be the last time the teams were tied.
Freshman midfield and leading scorer Iris Williamson battled through an injury to give the Quakers the lead on a free position attempt, and sophomore goalie Lucy Ferguson made several strong saves to preserve the Penn lead.
“Lucy played great, and our defense really kept them from cutting,” coach Karin Brower Corbett said. “Our defense really did well as a unit.”
Bunting iced the cake for the Red and Blue, scoring her third goal of the day to finish off the hat trick and give the Red and Blue a two-goal lead with barely over a minute remaining.
“I really, really hate losing,” Bunting said.
But with 28 seconds left, a trickling ball snuck through the legs of multiple Penn defenders, giving Dartmouth life in the game’s waning moments.
After two fouls that infuriated the Quakers’ bench and stands, the Big Green found themselves in front of the Quakers’ net with eight seconds remaining.
But Penn’s defense, just as it had been all day, was too much for the Big Green to overcome. The Quakers forced the Dartmouth attack behind the net, and the opposition was never able to get a shot off.
As the clock sounded, the celebration was on. The crowd that assembled at Penn Park erupted and the bench stormed the field.
“The seniors stepped up big today,” Corbett said. “They provided us with the leadership we needed, and I’m so proud of them.”
With only two Ivy League games left, the Quakers control their own destiny as they prepare to take on the Tigers.
“Princeton is a strong team, but if we create good opportunities and cause some havoc, hopefully we can continue this streak on Wednesday.”
SEE ALSO
Time for payback for Penn women’s lacrosse
Penn women’s lacrosse gets a hat trick of hat tricks
Free positions a key part of Quakers’ offense
Penn women’s lacrosse breaks out in second half to beat Lehigh
