W. Soccer aims for first victory

Lydia Bojcun is new to the Penn women's soccer team having transferred from NC State. But already, there are mounds of pressure on the sophomore midfielder.

One would never think that three words could weigh so much. But to Bojcun and her teammates, the words comprise a distressing combination of question and answer: Goals scored? Zero.

The Quakers went without a goal in their season opening games last weekend against Richmond and James Madison universities.

"The losses were early in the season," Bojcun said. "From here on out, everyone will see a big difference in the team.

"We should be successful."

Based on last weekend, the Wolf turned Quaker will have a large role in that success.

Displaying her potential on offense last weekend against the Dukes, Bojcun ricocheted a shot off the post in the 66th minute. It was the closest any of the Quakers came to scoring.

"In the last game against JMU, we had plenty of opportunities, we just weren't able to finish," Bojcun said. "But this week in practice we've been working a lot on creating more chances, so we should be able to finish a couple."

Ending the scoring draught against Seton Hall could prove an uphill venture. The Pirates come into the game 3-2 -- all of their victories via shutout.

"The biggest challenge is always the next [game]", Penn coach Darren Ambrose said. "We just need to play like we did against JMU and repeat that kind of spirit.

"Scoring will come with time, we just need a little patience."

Also of interest to the Quakers may be the Pirates' last two contests. They most recently defeated Monmouth, 2-0, who Penn is set to play on Sunday.

Prior to that match, Seton Hall fell to Princeton, 2-0. The Red and Blue's performance against the Knights may be an indicator of where it stands in relation to its Ivy League rival.

Though Ambrose and the Quakers are taking a game-by-game approach -- focusing on Seton Hall now, Monmouth later -- knocking the Hawks from flight may be equally daunting.

Monmouth was 3-0 until its loss to Seton Hall. In its wins, the team registered 12 goals, including a 7-1 massacre of St. Peter's College.

Last year, the Quakers tied Monmouth at one on the road.

Bojcun, however, exhibited little apprehension.

"Our defense is very strong," she said, keying on the unit that will have to disrupt Monmouth's upfield potency. "We're more prepared this weekend. It should be a good game."

Defense starts with the two hands in front of the net. As of yesterday, however, Ambrose still had not decided on his starting goalkeeper.

"It's really competitive," he said. "Monica [Silvestre] started last game and played pretty well, but she's being pushed in practice every day by Vanessa [Scotto]."

No matter who tends the net, however, the Quakers are ready to play.

"As soon as we get off the bus," Bojcun said, "we'll have our game faces on."

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