W. Lax goes for another big win against Leopards

The Penn women's lacrosse team, now ranked No. 19 in the country, will look to up its season mark to 2-0 this afternoon when the Quakers welcome Lafayette to Franklin Field at 4:00 p.m.

Today's game is an important one on Penn's schedule.

Last year, the Quakers lost to the Leopards, 9-6, struggling in the second half after going into intermission tied 5-5.

"Tomorrow is a huge game for us," Penn junior goalkeeper Alaina Harper said. "It's another chance for us to prove what we can do."

Penn will also look to prove that last weekend's win against No. 9 James Madison was deserved, and not just a random fluke.

Last weekend, Penn upended the Dukes, 10-9, in a stunning quadruple overtime win.

While this is certainly a Penn team on the rise, the Quakers are hoping to show that the win over James Madison was not merely an aberration -- but what Penn fans should expect from a nationally-ranked team on a regular basis.

"We're going out to prove the JMU game wasn't a fluky win," freshman midfielder Katie Spofford said.

Yet, despite their previous win over a top foe, a win for the Quakers will not be easy against a well-balanced and intense Lafayette squad.

The Leopards are a respected team within the East and Penn knows that if it has any dreams of postseason play, it will have to prove that it can compete at against the top squads in its region.

"One of our team goals this year is to go to NCAAs," Spofford said. "And to do that we have to win all of our regional games, and tomorrow's is one of the biggest."

The Quakers are well-aware that they will be facing an offensive aresenal today. While Lafayette lost last weekend to No. 2 Princeton, a pair of Leopards -- Heather McClelland and Erin Gallagher-- dominated the score sheet. McClelland scored four times and Gallagher netted three goals.

Yet, Penn also understands the offensive capability of the Leopards' skilled players and therefore will not be focusing exclusively on Lafayette's top two guns.

"They have a strong attack," Harper said. "Defensively, we have to step up and worry about all of them."

Junior attacker, Kate Murray, who scored six goals last week against JMU -- including the game-winner -- will lead the Quakers against Lafayette.

With nine freshmen on the roster, Penn's four captains -- Crissy Book, Traci Marabella, Jenny Hartman and Christy Bennet -- have needed to set an example for all of the new Quakers this season.

And they have.

"I think the whole group as a whole is really stepping up and playing a leadership role for the freshmen," Penn coach Karin Brower said.

After taking nearly a week off before their next game -- a clash with Ivy rival Yale on March 16 -- Penn has four games in the following two weeks after the trip to New Haven, Conn.

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