Frustration abounds for W. Lax in Ivy loss versus Big Red

The feeling of being a member of the Penn women's lacrosse team can be summarized in one word according to co-captain Christy Bennett -- frustration.

"We know that we're not playing to our potential, but we're trying to figure out what to do, how to change this," Bennett said.

The Quakers fell to No. 7 Cornell on Saturday afternoon at Franklin Field, 11-6.

Cornell remains undefeated (6-0, 2-0 Ivy League), while the Quakers have now slipped to 2-6 overall, 0-2 in Ivy League play.

Despite picking up an early lead, as last year's All-Ivy selection, senior Chrissy Book won the opening draw and single-handedly found the back of the net just 30 seconds into the game, the Quakers could not keep up with a dominant Cornell offense that out-shot Penn 30-23.

Book's goal snapped the Big Red's streak of 91:17 of scoreless first half action for Cornell's opponents over a span of five games.

Four minutes later, the Big Red's Sarah Fischer scored the first of six consecutive goals for Cornell.

Preseason All-American and Tewarton Trophy candidate Sarah Averson notched two of her three goals less than a minute later.

"We just weren't tight enough on the plays they scored on," Penn women's lacrosse coach Karin Brower said. "We definitely broke down."

The Big Red scored three more goals before Alison Polk-Williams and Katie Spofford answered with goals of their own for the Quakers.

"We missed some of the plays we had practiced, missed what we knew would be coming at us," Bennett said.

Despite allowing another goal by the Big Red, the Quakers entered halftime within striking distance of Cornell's 7-3 lead.

After giving up three more goals in the beginning of the second half, the Quakers were barely within range.

However, Lindsey Cassidy and Book took advantage of Cornell's defensive breakdowns, netting two goals and one goal, respectively to spark hope of a comeback.

But Cornell goalkeeper Ashley Charron spoiled several scoring opportunities, as she picked up a career-high 14 saves against the Quakers.

"We were coming up with ball a lot in the second half," Brower said. "We were taking the steps to get there but not quite finishing."

The comeback, late in the second stanza, was not enough to overcome the Big Red's lead.

Cornell's Kristin Smith nailed the back of the net with 20 seconds left in the game, securing a Big Red victory at 11-6.

Goalie Alaina Harper fared well against the barrage of shots from the Big Red, recording 16 saves on the day.

The Big Red edged the Quakers in ground balls, 36-14, and forced turnovers, 13-6, but the Red and Blue held the advantage in draw controls, 10-9.

"Shooting is a combination of repetition and confidence, so if we get the drills in practice, the confidence will come," Brower said.

The Quakers hope to end a streak of four losses tonight when they host Rutgers.

"We know that we're a good team," Bennett said. "We start every half 0-0, and every game is a new game. We don't let the past affect the future."

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