The Penn field hockey team controls its own destiny. The Quakers knew going into Saturday's game that if they could win their final three games, they could reach the top of the Ancient Eight standings.
One down, two to go.
With a stifling defense and a big play on offense, the Quakers (6-9, 4-1 Ivy League) shut out Brown (7-7, 2-3), 1-0, at Warner Roof in New Providence, RI.
"We won because we wanted it more and we were tougher," Penn senior co-captain Nikki Battiste said.
The Quakers came out a little flat in the first half, but only got better as the game went on.
After a scoreless first half, junior Brandi Alexander scored the game-winner with 24:35 to go in the game.
"Brandi has improved tremendously and really stepped it up," Battiste said.
The Quakers dribbled down the field into a one on one, taking a shot that was saved by Brown goalie Margaret Pulvermann.
However, the Red and Blue were awarded a penalty stroke on the next play, which Alexander used to pulverize Pulvermann and the Bears, putting the Quakers ahead for good.
"We went crazy [when Alexander scored]. It was great and really set the momentum," Battiste said.
Penn was outshot, 22-8, by the Bears, but Brown could not put the ball past Quakers goalie Carrie Wilhelm, who continued to come up big behind the net, recording 11 saves en route to her first shutout of the season.
"Carrie was amazing as always," Battiste said.
Brown had multiple scoring opportunities at the very end of the game with back-to-back corners, but the Bears were no match for a Penn defense that showed no mercy.
"The defense was awesome," the senior said.
The win was not an easy one in a game that the co-captain described as "scrappy, physical, and challenging."
"We didn't get any breaks but were able to fight for the win, which really brought the team together," Battiste said.
"Although it wasn't necessarily a pretty game to watch, it was an absolutely huge win," the co-captain added.
And the win was a "huge" one for the Quakers, who showed they could win on the road and, because Harvard lost to Dartmouth on Friday, took sole control of second place in the Ivy League.
The Red and Blue now have an opportunity to tie for first place, as they will face the current leaders in the Ancient Eight, Princeton (5-0, 13-2), on Friday at 7 p.m. on the Franklin Field turf.
"[The win against Brown] gives us confidence as we prepare for Princeton," Battiste said. "And we have nothing to lose."
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