Penn's top 'D' to meet Princeton's Ivy-best 'O'

As was anticipated in this space two weeks ago, Penn women's soccer has a chance to win a share of the Ivy League title in the season finale against Princeton. In a game that has no lack of compelling story lines, a central one will be the age-old question: Is it defense or offense that wins championships?

The Tigers have the Ivy League’s top-ranked attack, averaging 2.81 goals per game. They are led by senior forward Jen Hoy, who is having a historic season. Hoy, who hails from the suburbs of Philadelphia, has 17 goals in 16 games this season. Even if she ends the season without another goal, she will stand sixth all-time in the Ivy League for goals in a single season.

The Quakers, meanwhile, have the Ancient Eight’s top defense, yielding only 0.78 goals per game. Penn’s stalwart defense is the result of a strong collective effort. Not only do the Quakers keep opponents out of the net, but they've also allowed starting goalkeeper Sarah Banks to make the second fewest saves in the league.

The magic number here is two. Over the last two seasons, the Quakers have gone 10-0-1 when they have held their opponents under two goals. But the Tigers have not been held under two goals since a three-game non-conference stretch back in September. Something will have to give between this clash of titans.