PHILADELPHIA — How do you slay a dragon? By making it face off against No. 12 Penn women’s lacrosse.
The Quakers have historically dominated Drexel women’s lacrosse. Penn went into this year’s head-to-head with an all-time record of 16-2 against its neighbors. History tends to repeat itself, and much like last season, in Penn’s season opener, the Red and Blue were able to defeat the Dragons, 15-11.
“It’s a very different squad from last year, and Drexel is a good opponent,” coach Karin Corbett said. “They’re very physical; they’re fighters, so it was going to be a tough opener. And I felt like we did some good things. Lots to learn from but really pleased … overall, for our first game.”
In the rainy-afternoon affair, the Dragons struck first. Attacker Anna Maria Gragnani was able to cut through the Penn defense to score her first of four goals of the game. The Quakers responded with a goal of their own on the very next possession off the stick of senior midfielder Anna Brandt. Coming into the season just 11 goals shy of setting a program record for career goals, Brandt finished the game two goals closer to the record.
While the White Hall, Md. native and USA Lacrosse Magazine Division I women’s preseason first team All-American was held quiet for much of the game, it opened the path for an explosive performance from fellow Maryland native and Penn senior attacker Keeley Block. After a solid freshman year, Block missed most of her sophomore season due to an ACL tear.
“It definitely felt very accomplishing — just like great honestly,” Block said. “Last year definitely wasn't my best because of coming back from an ACL [tear]. But I’m just forever grateful for my teammates, my coaches, my family, for helping me get past that and coming back this year.”
Today, Block had her way on the field, tying her career-high five-goal performance along with one assist. While Block led the team with six points, sophomore attacker Catherine Berkery and senior attacker Erika Chung were right behind her, finishing the game with five points apiece.
Block’s third goal of the game was the proverbial dagger for the Dragons. At the start of the second half, Block was on the sideline, riding out a two-minute penalty after picking up a yellow card to end the first half. Penn junior defender Natasha Yajadda was able to force the turnover that allowed Block to reenter the game with just 10 seconds left on the shot clock. She floated a pass to Berkery as the clock hit zero. The pass drifted past not just Berkery but also past the Drexel goalkeeper and into the back of the net, completely deflating the Dragons who had opened up play with the upper hand.
Block and Brandt weren’t the only Marylanders to perform for the Red and Blue today. Senior midfielder Gracie Smith, who hails from Laytonsville, Md., and freshman midfielder Lela Greene of Baltimore also added their names to the scoresheet.
“We used to not get a lot of Maryland kids, so it’s nice that we’re having that connection,” Corbett said. “But I think, you know, they’re just hard workers, and it’s been fun to see them progress throughout their career. And to see [Greene] get her first goal is fun.”
The absence of former All-Ivy goalkeeper Kelly Van Hoesen in the cage was felt only briefly. Both junior goalkeeper Caitlin Noack and freshman goalkeeper Orly Sedransk manned the cage well, combining for five saves. Sedransk comes in as the No. 13 prospect on the Insider Lacrosse Power 100 Incoming Freshmen Rankings. Despite a rocky start that saw her letting in four goals during her first period of play, she rebounded with high-pressure saves on Drexel’s free position shots in the fourth quarter to deny the Dragons any momentum.
“I think with [a] goalie, there’s a lot in your head,” Corbett said. “And so when you have a couple of goals scored on you early in your first game ever as a freshman, [Sedransk] held strong in there and was confident. And I think it says a lot about her, but [I’m] proud of both of the goalies.”
While the win was a dominant one, there are still plenty of things to clean up ahead of the rest of the Red and Blue’s monstrous schedule. Up next, Penn women’s lacrosse will be hitting the road for a ranked matchup against No. 10 Johns Hopkins on Saturday, Feb. 22 in Baltimore. The opening draw is slated for 4:00 p.m.
“Hopkins is a great team. They’re really talented,” Block said. “It’s always a great game between us, so I’m really excited to prep for them and go over there on Saturday, and have a great game.”
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