M. Soccer aims to start another winning streak

Fresh off of a humbling defeat at Columbia last Saturday, the Penn men's soccer team (5-3, 1-1 Ivy League) looks to rebound against Yale tomorrow at Rhodes Field.

"[The loss to Columbia] was certainly an eye-opening experience," Penn coach Rudy Fuller said. "We're a much better team than the one that lost at Columbia."

In falling to the Lions, the Quakers also suffered their first defeat in the past six games, ending a streak that saw Penn dominate its opponents en route to compiling a 5-0-1 record.

"We had a good run," Fuller said. "Now it's time to start another one."

Knocking off Yale (5-2-2, 1-1-1) will be a tough challenge for the Quakers, as the Elis shut out Penn, 6-0, last season.

In the romp, Yale bombarded then-Penn goalkeeper Jeff Groeber with 27 shots, while the Quakers registered a paltry three shots on net.

This year's Elis appear to be better than the Yale squad that finished third in the Ivies in 2000.

Bolstered by the leadership of senior captain Brian Lavin, the Elis have already knocked off two nationally ranked opponents, Rhode Island and Alabama-Birmingham.

In addition, Yale has made a habit of playing a physical game. The Elis lead the Ivy League in yellow cards with 24.

Yale's total has been supported by the Ancient Eight's leading transgressor, yellow card king Jon Skalecki.

The freshman defender already boasts four yellow cards in nine games.

But are the Quakers threatened by Skalecki and the pugnacious Elis?

"Being a freshman, you've got to find some way to get him off of his game," Penn sophomore defender Ross Chanin said. "He plays tough, but you can get inside his head and take him out of the game."

The Quakers will look to collectively take Yale out of the game tomorrow in their attempt to begin another winning streak, one they hope will culminate in an Ancient Eight crown.

"It's going to take five wins to win the league," Fuller said. "We've got one and we're going to shoot for six."

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