Penn shows promise in College Cup and 2002 campaign

STORRS, Conn. -- They'll be back.

It was the unspoken message Wednesday night as the Ivy League champion Penn men's soccer team came to terms with their dream season's untimely conclusion -- a 4-0 beating at the hands of the No. 8 UConn Huskies. Amid the dejection and disappointment of the moment, the feeling was prevalent nevertheless.

These Quakers will be back. They will have to endure an unbearable, nine-month offseason between now and next season, but the Red and Blue--a side that will return ten of their starters--will make it back to the College Cup.

When you're a traditional, established soccer power, an unsettling performance in the NCAAs is sour but somewhat tolerable.

Take Virginia's stunning second-round loss to William and Mary last week. Disappointing, to be sure, but not the end of the world for the Cavalier faithful -- their highly-touted program has been there before and will be there again.

But for a smaller school -- say, one coming off its first NCAA tournament appearance in a quarter-century -- a trip to the dance is far from a given. If you've clawed all season long, tooth and nail, for one narrow, lightning-in-a-bottle chance on the big stage, the sudden end can be demoralizing.

Particularly when that chance doesn't represent your team's best efforts -- as when a costly marking lapse led to a Shavar Thomas goal and a 2-0 deficit.

"It's the opportunity we've been looking for," said Nate Kennedy, the Quakers' lone senior starter. "It's why we train so hard and try to win games during the season, so we can get to where we are. We were excited more than anything to get a chance to come in here and play."

Kennedy was reserved and disappointed following the defeat. But he shouldn't have been. The Quakers finished the regular season at 11-3-1 and had given up only seven goals going into Tuesday's match. They were regulars in the Top 25.

What's more, Tuesday's opponent was hardly a cakewalk. This UConn team -- which on Sunday defeated perennial powerhouse Indiana to advance to its third Elite Eight in four seasons -- is an exceptionally talented squad.

Ranked No. 8 nationally, they are strong on all three lines, boasting seven All-Conference selections and -- senior sparkplug Damani Ralph -- the Big East's Offensive Player of the Year.

They are physical, agile and inventive. But, most importantly, coach Ray Reid has formulated a unique team chemistry to make the most out of their considerable athleticism.

Their discipline, particularly defensively, prevented the Quakers from ever really threatening offensively.

"They did what good teams do when you give them opportunities," said Fuller. "They finished their chances."

Whether Penn will ever get to that next level is questionable.

But in assembling a stingy, defensive core, Fuller has built a team that can play -- and that belongs -- among the nation's best.

A couple early season games against some stiffer competition might help the players become better prepared for when the NCAAs roll around. But all things considered, these Quakers are there right now.

Kennedy commented about the team's chances for next year after dropping the game to UConn.

"It's going to make the team anxious to get back here next year and go even further."

They will.

Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.