Three up, three down: Penn women's lacrosse vs. Columbia

The Ivy League season is winding to a close, and Penn women’s lacrosse needs to win out in order to clinch a share of its eighth straight Ivy League championship. As a result, the No. 7 Quakers’ (8-4, 4-1 Ivy) matchup with Columbia at Penn Park has a newfound importance. Here’s what’s up — and what’s down — as the Red and Blue take on the Lions (3-9, 0-6).

Three Up

History : In terms of past records, it doesn’t get too much better for Penn than its all-time 17-0 mark against Columbia. Boding just as well for the Quakers, the Red and Blue have never lost to the Lions in Philadelphia, winning all eight matches between the two schools that have been played at in the city.

Meg Markham : The awards keep on rolling in for the junior, who picked up her second Ivy Defensive Player of the Week honor after forcing seven turnovers and picking up seven ground balls during Penn’s split week against Princeton and Brown.

Paige Cuscovitch : Not much has gone right for Columbia in another lost season, but the senior midfield has been in a bright spot. Cuscovitch scored her 100th career goal in a loss to UMBC on April 9, and leads the Lions in goals, points and total shots.

Three Down

Penn’s hopes of winning the Ivy title outright : After losing to Princeton last Wednesday, 9-5, the Quakers rendered their hopes of a solo Ivy title impossible. Though Penn has matches with both Columbia and Cornell remaining, the Tigers’ 6-1 Ivy record and head-to-head victory reigns supreme.

Penn’s defense (but not how you think) : If the Red and Blue are to make a run in the Ivy League (and NCAA) tournament this year, it will be due to the strength of their back line. The Quakers are surrendering an average of eight goals per game — the 11th-best mark in the nation — and have not allowed more than 10 goals in a contest since March 23.

Columbia’s defense (in exactly the way you think) : The same cannot be said of the Lions’ defensive effort. Columbia’s 10.5 goals against average is the worst in the Ancient Eight, and the squad has surrendered double-digit goal totals in seven different contests, including an 18-4 thrashing at the hands of Albany last Wednesday.