F. Hockey shoots past Georgetown

Georgetown's field hockey team came into last night's game against Penn red-hot, having won its last eight games after suffering two losses to start the season.

But the Quakers were not intimidated by the Hoyas' gaudy 8-2 record.

On windswept Franklin Field, Penn (4-8) defeated Georgetown, 2-1.

"Our schedule was more difficult than theirs," Penn coach Valerie Cloud said. "This is a game we should win. I'd have been disappointed if we hadn't."

The Quakers backed up their coach's tough talk, controlling the ball and keeping it in Georgetown's defensive end for much of the first half, eventually notching three shots on goal.

But as has been the case for most of the season, and particularly in the last two games when they were shut out, the Quakers were unable to capitalize on their chances.

The contest was scoreless after the first half of play.

"We're not scoring and it's hard to beat people if you don't put it in," Cloud said.

Nicole Battiste solved that problem with 27:38 remaining in the second half. Off a penalty corner, co-captain Monique Horshaw blasted the ball from the top of the circle. Battiste deflected the shot over Hoyas goalie Jessica Herring for her fourth goal of the season.

"I was prepared for [the goalie] to go down," said Battiste. "I just gave it a little lift over the goalie."

Battiste began the game on the bench despite being Penn's second-leading scorer. She entered the game for the first time with 13 minutes remaining in the first half.

"I had a coach's inkling about it," Cloud said. "And she came off the bench raring to go, so it worked out."

The Red and Blue's lead, however, was short lived. At the 24:31 mark of the second half, Georgetown forward Elena Elster slapped the ball past Penn goaltender Carrie Wilhelm from the top of the circle.

A mere 40 seconds later, the Quakers stormed back. After her end-to-end rush, co-captain Battiste found Elizabeth Lorelli with a pass, and Lorelli pounded home her first career goal at Penn.

"We didn't want to let them get any momentum back," Lorelli said.

It took a few terrific saves by Wilhelm down the stretch to cement the win, the last coming with 2:24 remaining on Georgetown forward Leanne Rizzo at the goal mouth. Wilhelm finished the game with five saves.

By recording its fourth victory of the season, Penn surpassed last year's win total of three.

"It's definitely awesome," Lorelli said. "Penn field hockey's moving up in the Ivies."

"It's been great to win this season, especially at home," Battiste said. "If we continue to play as a team, we can continue to win."

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