There's no secret to winning field hockey games -- you need to score goals.
But the Penn field hockey team still hasn't discovered this secret.
The Quakers' scoring and winning drought continued yesterday in a 1-0 loss to West Chester on the road.
Penn (0-5), was seemingly in control of the matchup, as it amassed four shots in the first half and six penalty corners in the second. While West Chester matched Penn's first-half scoring total, the Golden Rams went shotless in the second half.
Despite their six total shots in the game, however, the Red and Blue were unable to find the back of the net and saw their goals-per-game average drop to 1.0.
West Chester took advantage of its few first-half opportunities, getting the game's lone goal when Marcie Kershaw netted the ball with 6:40 remaining before halftime.
Penn senior co-captain Monique Horshaw expressed her feeling of the Quakers' performance.
"We dominated the game the whole way; the only thing that didn't happen was a goal for us today," Horshaw said.
Senior forward Maria Karas led the Quakers with two shots on goal. She shared Horshaw's sentiment of doing everything but scoring.
"It was just a matter of not putting the ball in the cage," she said. "We definitely outplayed them."
Nevertheless, the West Chester defense was not weak by any means. Golden Rams goalkeeper Joelie Maguire recorded her fourth shutout of the season by stopping all six of Penn's shots.
The loss marks the close of the pre-Ivy League season for the Red and Blue. Ancient Eight action will begin Saturday when the Quakers take on visiting Dartmouth at noon on Franklin Field.
Penn has three of its five contests by the closest of possible margins -- one goal.
However, the upcoming Ivy League games present the Quakers with equally fierce competition. Last season, Penn went winless against Ancient Eight opponents, finishing in last place.
Horshaw recognizes the importance of the Ivy League match-ups, as well as her team's need to perform at its prime in three days' time.
"We have the league starting on Saturday, so we need to get it together by then," Horshaw said.
The Quakers are hoping to turn in a newfound scoring threat with the birth of Ivy competition.
"I hope we can get goal-hungry for the Ivy League season," Horshaw said.
A win this weekend against Dartmouth would represent the snapping of a 10-game losing streak and begin to make up for last year's 0-7 Ivy League performance.
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