Women's Soccer looking to meet expectations

According to Penn women's soccer coach Darren Ambrose, this season has been one of "should'ves, would'ves and could'ves."

The Quakers (5-6-3 overall, 1-1-3 Ivy) came into the year with championship aspirations, but since their 4-2 loss to national contender California, the stars have been aligned against them. Following that game, the team has gone 0-3-3.

Penn had a prime chance to break its downward slide on Tuesday against Lehigh (4-11-1). However, the game was postponed until Nov. 6 due to inclement weather.

The Quakers will resume their schedule tomorrow at Rhodes Field against Brown. The 11 a.m. match pits two desperate teams against one another.

The Bears have lost their last four games, dropping their record to 5-8-2 overall and to 0-4-1 in the Ancient Eight. Their misfortunes were amplified last Wednesday when Boston College broke a 1-1 tie with just 18 seconds left, escaping with the win.

The Quakers can relate. Their last game was marred by missed opportunities -- especially in overtime -- culminating in a 1-all tie with Yale.

There is, however, one important difference in Saturday's matchup. While Brown has yet to win a league game, Penn could still finish second behind Princeton.

"I think we need [the win] more because Darren told us in practice that if we win the next two games, we could be second in the league," Quakers forward Carolyn Cross said. "Brown doesn't really have that going for them."

Last year, Penn topped Brown 3-0. The game on Saturday should be more competitive.

"Both teams are fighting for a result," Ambrose said. "Last year, [the Bears] were four and something and struggling with injuries and just trying to get through the season."

At this point last season, the Quakers were 12-1-2.

Last year, the Bears and Quakers "had different mentalities," Ambrose said. "This year we have the same mentalities. We're both young and looking for some confidence."

Another thing Penn is looking for -- but not dwelling on -- is goals for sophomore forward Katy Cross. With 64 career points, she needs just two more goals to tie Andrea Callaghan's school record.

Penn defender Robin Watson goes up against Cross every day in practice. The task of defending the Quakers star elicited a sigh.

"Pretty much everything" sets Cross apart from other forwards, Watson said.

"She's a smart player, she's quick. She has really long legs, so she gets the balls you don't expect her to. She has amazing touch -- you can pretty much bang a ball at her and she'll settle it down."

Despite these accolades of her individual skills, Cross is also the consummate team player, according to Ambrose.

"To do in two years what it took another person four years to do is amazing," he said. "But I think she'd rather the team go 3-0 and not score a goal" than to rewrite the record.

Brown does not permit many goals. The Bears have not allowed more than two in a game all season.

Do not tell that to Watson. She sees the game as the key to boosting team morale and closing the season on a positive note.

"We're going to go hard to them," she said. "We want to come out and kill them and prove something in this league."

"I think the way practices are going, we're going to come out victorious," the freshman defender added. "That's what I'm banking on."

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