The Daily Pennsylvanian is a student-run nonprofit.

Please support us by disabling your ad blocker on our site.

penn-athletic-preview-fall-2022
Credit: Hunter Martin , Anna Vazhaeparambil, Julia Van Lare, Michael Palacios

The fall sports season is finally back in session. Here’s a look at what to expect from Penn’s competing teams this weekend, as all but women’s soccer kick off their 2022 campaigns.

Soccer

Already two games into its season, women’s soccer — led by new head coach Krissy Turner — has yet to pick up a victory so far, but managed to tie both of its first matches last week against Temple and Maryland. 

The Quakers (0-0-2) will have a solid shot at securing Turner’s first win with the Red and Blue on Thursday, when the group will face Villanova (0-2-1) in its first road game of the season.

Then on Sunday, the Quakers return to Rhodes Field for a 2 p.m. matchup with Lehigh (0-2), a program that hasn’t achieved a winning record since 2017.

Coming off a disappointing end to last season that culminated with three straight losses against Ivy foes, Penn men’s soccer will look to begin the upcoming season on a strong note this weekend.

First up, the Red and Blue will take on Rider (0-2) at Rhodes Field on Friday night. Last season, the Broncs narrowly missed the NCAA College Cup, though so far this season have yet to tally a single goal.

Following the weekend, the Quakers will travel a short distance to Temple (1-0-1) on Monday night, where they’ll look to repeat the success they had last year in a tight 2-1 victory.

Credit: Michael Palacios Now-junior Ginger Fontenot battles for possession against Yale during a home game on Oct. 3, 2021.

Volleyball

Volleyball will open its season this weekend in the Bronx, N.Y., where Penn will play in the Rose Hill Classic along with Fordham (2-1), Niagara (1-2), and Fairleigh Dickinson (1-2).

Though the Quakers finished 8-15 after a bumpy middle of the season, the team appeared to garner some momentum as the season wore on, finishing the year with three wins in its last five games — all against Ivy opponents.

Following another road trip — this time to California — volleyball will return home in two weeks to host the Sheraton University City Invitational at the Palestra.

Credit: Anna Vazhaeparambil Now-junior Tatum Demann spikes the ball over the net during a game against Brown at the Palestra on Oct. 15, 2021.

Golf

Just two and a half weeks after accepting the Penn men’s golf head coaching position, Clay White will be leading the team into its first tournament of the season at the Alex Lagowitz Memorial in Hamilton, N.Y.

After leading Seton Hall — where he coached for 18 years — to the 2022 Big East Championship, White will have a tall task ahead of him as the Red and Blue look to bounce back from a second-to-last finish at the Ivy League Championships four months ago.

Experience will likely serve as a strong suit in the coming weeks for the Quakers as almost half of the roster consists of seniors.

Credit: Hunter Martin Now-senior Mark Haghani (Photo from Penn Athletics).

Field Hockey

As part of the ACC/Ivy League Conference Crossover, Penn will travel to Chapel Hill, N.C. this weekend to face No. 9 Louisville (2-0) and No. 2 North Carolina (2-0), both of which reached the NCAA Tournament this past season.

It’ll be a sizable undertaking for the Quakers, but coming off six wins in their last seven to close out the 2021 season, the win is in reach.

Following the trip to Chapel Hill, Penn will warm up with four more non-conference games before facing Princeton in late September.

Credit: Julia Van Lare Now-sophomore Courtney Kenah faces off a Temple defender during a home game at Penn Park on Oct. 31, 2021.