Field Hockey: Quakers banish scoring blues vs. Retrievers

It appears that for Penn field hockey team, their recent scoring drought has turned into a deluge.

After handing the University of Maryland Baltimore County a 3-0 loss yesterday afternoon, the Quakers (7-7, 2-2 Ivy) have scored 14 goals in their five games since the mid-season mark.

And scoring those goals has been the benchmark for success.

The Quakers finally evened up their record yesterday, with their fourth straight win.

During the game, Penn pounded UMBC goalie Ashley Benitez with shots, recording 25 on the day.

And UMBC (1-12) might have lost by even more if Benitez wasn't having one of her best games of the year.

Benitez made 15 saves, a season high for her.

Junior Meghan Rose, who opened scoring for the Quakers 10 minutes into the game, attributes Penn's increase in goals to the fact that her team has finally been able to connect with each other.

"The ball is moving around the field better," Rose said. "Everyone on the team is getting more opportunities to take shots"

Assistant coach Jeremy Cook noted that this has led to increased confidence on the field for the Red and Blue.

"It took us a little longer than we were hoping to come together," Cook said. "They have definitely earned the right to be confident going into the last games."

Juniors Kara Bolger and Nicole Black also added goals yesterday for the Quakers. It was Black's fifth goal in three games.

All but one Penn player on the starting offense tallied a shot yesterday, with senior Nyssa Liebermann and Rose leading the team with four each.

Penn sophomore Alanna Butera made her first start in goal this season, giving senior Liz Schlossberg, who played every minute in goal before yesterday, a much-needed break.

"It was a great opportunity to give Alanna some playing time," Cook said of playing against a six-game losing streak. Schlossberg has "some nagging injuries she's been working through."

A little nervous at first between the poles, Butera didn't have to do much to keep the Retrievers off the board.

Butera only had to make one save to preserve the shutout, UMBC's third straight scoreless affair.

"Everybody was very supportive," Butera said. "The defense did such a great job of keeping the [Retrievers] offense out of the circle."

Only three matches remain now for the Quakers, all against conference opponents. And these will be three of the most critical games of the year.

And after their Saturday matchup at Yale (3-10, 2-2 Ivy), the Quakers hope that they will boast their first winning record of the season.

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