Hanover woes put to rest

The theme to Saturday's game between the Penn women's lacrosse team and Dartmouth was out with the old and in with the new.

The Big Green said goodbye to their old turf this weekend, as they resurfaced Scully-Fahey Field for the home opener.

They also said goodbye to a two-decade home winning streak over the Quakers, who won for the first time since 1988, 8-5.

"It's not an easy place to play," Penn coach Karin Brower said. "It was huge for the program . to finally go home with a win."

The Quakers (10-1, 5-0 Ivy) dominated the Big Green (5-6, 1-4) during the first half, outscoring them 5-1.

The Red and Blue appeared to pick right up where they left off in the second half, as attack Rachel Manson added another goal to Penn's lead.

But, down 7-2, Dartmouth's Kristen Barry found the back of the net to ignite a late comeback that brought the Big Green within two goals at 7-5.

"We turned the ball over on attack and had about a ten minute lapse in defense," Brower said.

The Quakers' defensive follies ceased when Emma Spiro caused a Big Green turnover to win the ball back for Penn with about three-and-a-half minutes to go.

"That stop was really important," defender Tarah Kirnan said.

Penn was quick to take advantage of the turnover, getting the ball to a wide-open Manson, who easily scored her second goal of the game at 2:56.

"They were coming back and we really needed momentum at that point," Manson said. "I got a great feed."

Penn's offense maintained possession for the rest of the game as time ran out on Dartmouth.

The game's first half was all Red and Blue defense, holding Dartmouth to just one score despite its 12 shots.

But backed by strategy and senior goalie Sarah Waxman, who recorded five first period saves, Penn's defense was prepared for the Big Green's onslaught.

"They drove hard to the goal," Kirnan said. "Our coaches did a really great job of scouting them . we came in knowing all of their plays and we recognized them right away."

The Quakers go back on the road Wednesday to take on second-ranked Princeton. The Tigers are undefeated both in the league and overall, setting up the defacto Ivy League title game.

"We're looking forward to Princeton," Brower said.

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