Box Score (PDF)

PHILADELPHIA - A statement win in the Ivy League was what James C. Gentle Head Coach of Men's Soccer Rudy Fuller wanted, and that's what he got, as the University of Pennsylvania downed the Yale Bulldogs 4-1, dominating from the opening minutes Saturday night at Rhodes Field. The win gives Penn four points in the Ancient Eight, moving into a tie for fifth in the league. 

KEY MOMENTS
*The Quakers came out firing, setting a pace that would not be altered for the entire 90 minute contest. Penn's offensive aggression quickly led to points, as Dami Omitaomu and Jake Kohlbrenner found themselves passing in the box, before Kohlbrenner was taken down by Yale, producing a penalty kick on the foul. Senior Joe Swenson stepped up to the line to take the kick for the Quakers and was successful, netting a goal into the right corner for a 1-0 Penn lead in the fifth minute.

*It wouldn't take long for the Quakers to double their advantage, as just five minutes later Kohlbrenner found a long ball from Swenson in the center of the box and sent the ball between the keeper's legs to make it 2-0 Penn.

*Just over four minutes later, the Red and Blue struck yet again, as Jerel Blades connected with a streaking Swenson who struck to the far post for the third goal of the night for Penn.

*Yale was able to get one back in the 22nd minute, as Miguel Yuste struck a ball from 35 yards out, chipping it over the head of Penn goalkeeper Scott Forbes to find the back of the net, making it 3-1 Penn.

*The remainder of the first half featured several more chances for the Bulldogs, but the Penn defense held strong, denying any real threats on goal.

*The second half opened with a frenetic pace, much like the first, as within the first five minutes both sides had already recorded two shots each.

*Swenson would earn his third goal of the evening in the 65th minute on a ball taken from Omitaomu on the left side of the box. The senior would corral the ball in front of the goal and finish at the near post, pushing Penn ahead 4-1. 

*The final 25 minutes of the contest included a bevy of substitutions from both sides with the three goal separation on the scoreboard. Yale was able to push the pressure, forcing the Penn defense to make plays time and time again. The final whistle blew with the Penn emerging victorious 4-1. 

PENN NOTES
*Swenson's hat trick marks the second-straight season a Quaker has acheived the feat, as former captain Alec Neumann netted three goals last year against Drexel.

*Swenson's total of seven points on the night currently ranks tied for fourth-highest by any player in Division 1 this year. Only three players in the country have recorded more points in a single game this fall. 

*Swenson vaulted up the Ivy League statistical leaderboard after Saturday's contest, now sitting in a tie for first with Dartmouth's Eduvie Ikoba with seven goals on the year. Swenson also ranks second in the Ancient Eight in points with 16.

*Blades and Kohlbrenner now both own five points on the year, ranking second behind Swenson for Penn.

*Omitaomu's assist on the fourth goal of the evening marked the first point of the year for the sophomore.

*Forbes collected six saves in between the pipes, matching his previous career-high set earlier this fall against Lehigh. 

*All three of Penn's wins this year have come in games where the Quakers were outshot in the final box score. The Bulldogs won the shot category 14-8, meaning half of Penn's shots found the back of the net. 

*Set pieces were not a huge factor in the contest for Penn, as the Quakers only had one corner kick, a season-low.

*The win over the Bulldogs pushes Penn's all-time record against Yale to 51-40-10. Penn pushes its unbeaten streak against the Elis to five games.

*The four goals scored against Yale are the most Penn has scored against the Bulldogs since an 8-0 win in 1972.

WHAT'S NEXT?
Three of Penn's final four contests will be on the road, starting with two-straight away from Philadelphia on Tuesday, Oct. 24 with a non-conference match against West Virginia. The Mountaineers and Quakers square off in Morgantown at 7 p.m. before the Red and Blue continue Ivy League play at Brown next Saturday.