The best of graduating seniors: Fall Edition

Unlike the winter and spring seasons, fall sports has only missed one season due to COVID-19 cancellations. While it did not miss as much time as the other sports, it does have its fair share of memorable athletes.

The cancellations meant many of Penn’s graduating seniors had no traditional senior night. In honor of these soon-to-be graduates, here’s a look at some of the seniors from fall sports that impacted their respective programs the most.

Soccer

After a bumpy start to his Penn career, Joey Bhangdia became a crucial part of his program’s success.

He didn’t play at all during his freshman year due to injury. As he began his time as a Quaker his sophomore season, Bhangdia scored a goal just 69 seconds into his first collegiate appearance in Penn’s season opener against Monmouth.

His junior season was the real highlight of his career, though, as he led Penn in goals (6), points (12), shots (30), and match-winners (3). He was awarded first team All-Ivy and was also named a Philadelphia Soccer Six All-Star.

Beginning her Penn career off the bench, Chase Geffert had a lot to prove, but did so in resounding fashion, proving her worth as an excellent defender.

After she was substituted in, she started in the final 13 matches of the season and was named an honorable mention All-Ivy, the fourth freshman to be named All-Ivy under head coach Nicole Van Dyke.

In her sophomore season, Geffert was a mainstay on the pitch, leading the team with 1,420 total minutes played, and in both her junior and senior seasons, she was named a team captain.

Field Hockey

Playing in each of the 51 total games she had the opportunity to compete in over her career, Erin Kelly left an indelible imprint on Penn field hockey.

After a freshman season in which she only took four total shots, her sophomore campaign involved her starting all 17 games in midfield, tying for second on the team with eight points, and being named an honorable mention All-Ivy.

To finish out her playing time with the program, Kelly led the Quakers with six assists during her junior year.

Sprint Football

In both of the seasons that Aaron Johnson competed for the Quakers, his impact was felt in a significant way on the program.

As a sophomore, he appeared in all six of Penn’s games and was made a team captain. In his role as defensive back, he netted 27 total tackles, including an impressive eight in one game against Army. Additionally, he was tied for third on the team with two sacks.

In his junior year, Johnson led the team with two forced fumbles and 38 solo tackles, with nine of those coming in just one game contest against Navy. For his performances, he was awarded first team All-CSFL.

Football

Linebacker Brian O’Neill has been a consistent player for the Red and Blue ever since his freshman year.

His first season was marked by him appearing in all 10 games, recording 26 tackles and three pass breakups in the process.

In his sophomore season, he grew his role substantially, as he was able to start all 10 games and achieve the third-most tackles on the team with 57, as well as the second-most tackles for loss with 9.0.

O’Neill’s best season, though, was his third and final, when he was a junior. He was awarded second team All-Ivy and had the fifth-most tackles for loss, as well as the second-most interceptions in the Ivy League.