Getting better all the time

Expectations are high for the Penn field hockey team.

And after last year's squad not only produced the first Ivy League victory since 1999, but went 4-3 in the league, why shouldn't they be?

With seven returning starters, the Quakers are poised to build on last year's surprising finish.

"It's going to be an exciting season," junior Emily Farnesi said. "We've got a lot of depth this year. There's a lot of new talent and a lot of old talent. It should be interesting."

Last fall, the Quakers compensated for a punchless attack with a stingy defensive unit. Nine times, Penn held their opponents to one goal or less. But the Quaker lack of offense proved fatal, producing only eight goals during the Ivy schedule -- and only one in three games on the road.

Only the defense, the gritty play of a veteran core helped the Quakers finish fourth in the league. They were 6-11 overall.

A trio of seniors -- Brandi Alexander, Colleen Connors, and Nicole Eissler -- look to continue baffling Ivy League opponents.

Alexander, named the Quakers' Most Improved Player in 2001, started all 17 games.

Farnesi will succeed the graduated Monique Horshaw, a first-team All-Ivy selection, at the sweeper position.

With Farnesi looking to be strong enough to fill the sweeper position, the biggest question mark for the Red and Blue is whether they can add a little spark to the anemic offense that managed only 23 goals overall, an average of 1.7 per game.

Senior Anna Mitchell, sophomore Liz Lorelli and newcomer Cecelia Carriquiry will key the Quaker attack. Mitchell was a constant threat throughout last Fall, putting 16 shots on net. Lorelli was the Quakers' second-leading scorer, notching four goals.

"You've got to put the ball in the back of the cage," forward Courtney Blenheim said. "It's that simple."

Blenheim, along with fellow juniors Jackie Lange and Marianne Rogers and sophomore Sara Shelley, provide some crucial depth for the offensive third of the field.

Much of the scoring burden will fall on two time all-Ivy honoree Kylee Jakobowski. The senior midfielder was a cornerstone for the Quakers in 2001, starting every game and pacing the team in both goals, six, and assists, four.

"It's amazing to watch her play," sophomore reserve Kate Murphy said. "Her composure with the ball is really something. She's so fluid -- it's as if she just walking out there. She's our captain and our leader."

Also returning in the midfield are seniors Mandy Doherty and Hayley Lofink. Doherty looks to bounce back from a back injury that kept her out of the final seven games of last year.

Trusted between the pipes is freshman Amanda Jacobs. The well-qualified freshman joins the Quakers following an illustrious high school career at the Tatnall School in Wilmington, Del., that included three All-Conference selections.

The Quakers begin their season on Friday night at 7 p.m. against University City rival Drexel at Franklin Field.

Season Preview Home field: Franklin Field Last year: 11-6 overall, 4-3 Ivy League Key starters lost: Aparna Wilder, Nikki Battiste, Monique Horshaw. Key starters returning: Kylee Jakobowski, Mandy Doherty, Anna Mitchell, Brandi Alexander. Key Game: at Princeton Nov. 8 The Quakers will take on the nine-time defending Ivy champions in Princeton's likely last game before advancing to the NCAAs. Last year, Princeton lost to Michigan in the Final Four. Player to Watch

Kylee Jakobowski

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