Winless streak finally over for Women's Soccer

The Penn women's soccer team demonstrated its resiliency on Saturday afternoon, earning a convincing 2-0 victory over Ivy League rival Brown.

Saturday's win gave the Quakers (6-6-3, 2-1-3) an opportunity to earn their second Ivy League win of the season and get back to the .500 mark. It was the first win in eight games for Penn.

The Quakers controlled the pace of play in the first half but failed to capitalize on their opportunities.

"We knew they were going to be a tough team going into the game, despite their record," Penn sophomore defender Jessica Woodward said.

"We definitely maintained possession of the ball for the majority of the first half, but we weren't able to create many shots."

The Red and Blue fired six shots in the first half compared to a measly two from Brown.

Penn took the field in the second half knowing they needed to create more legitimate scoring chances from their possessions.

"We completely dominated the second half," Woodward said. "We created better chances and really controlled the pace of play."

The Quakers equaled their shot total from the first half with six -- two of which found the back of the net -- while holding the Bears to a lone shot.

Penn's offense received help from two unsuspected sources.

Penn senior defender and co-captain Jen Valentine scored the Quakers' first goal in the 65th minute of action on a penalty kick. The goal was Valentine's first of the year.

Just three minutes later, the Quakers increased their lead to two when sophomore midfielder Lydia Bojcun scored off of a pass from sophomore forward Rachelle Snyder. Bojcun's goal was also her first on the year.

Penn's offensive thrust in the second half prevented the Bears from creating any offensive opportunities.

The defense was not "really tested at all in the second half. The offense played really well, which made it pretty easy for us in the back," Woodward said. "Although we had some injuries, the players who came in really stepped up. Our level of play didn't drop at all."

Three Penn defenders received knocks that forced them to leave the game -- sophomores Amy Salomon and Carrie Johnson and freshman Robin Watson.

The Quakers will not have much time to recover as they face Lehigh on Wednesday night in a game that was rescheduled after being cancelled due to inclement weather.

The Quakers will then play their final game of the season on Saturday against Dartmouth. The game will allow the Quakers to play spoiler -- a win over Dartmouth would end the Big Green's hopes of sharing the Ivy League crown with Princeton.

In addition, Dartmouth was the only Ivy League team to beat the Quakers last year.

"Besides playing spoiler," Woodward said, "we want to get some revenge against Dartmouth on Saturday."

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