PRINCETON, N.J. – In a battle that lived up to its billing, the University of Pennsylvania women's soccer team fell 1-0 on the road at Princeton on Saturday night. The Quakers forced three corners in the final minute, but just couldn't scrap out the equalizer.
Kitty Qu made a season-high eight saves, but Penn did lead in the shot department, 12-9.
NOTES
*Penn's five goals conceded is the fewest in a program history.
*Penn trailed for the just the second time all season.
*The loss is the only one suffered on the road this season.
*Kitty Qu made a season-high eight saves.
*Qu breaks the single-season record for save percentage and goals-against average.
*The 13 wins are tied for the third most all-time.
*Penn finishes with tied for the second fewest losses in a year.
*Princeton's first-half goal is the first conceded in the opening 45 minutes since Navy on Sept. 9.
*Penn's unbeaten streak is snapped at 12 games – tied for the longest in program history.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Penn started fast, earning a pair of chances in the opening three minutes. Sasha Stephens became a frequent outlet for the Quakers and a constant point of trouble for Princeton. Her speed down the right wing created a few early opportunities for the Red and Blue.
In the second minute, Emily Sands dumped a ball in behind for Stephens, who bounced off a defender and was in on goal, but the Tiger keeper was quick off her line to eliminate the danger. Just a minute later, Chase Geffert launched a free kick into the box, and Allie Trzaska won a first header and then a second that she directed on goal, forcing a save.
Maybe the best chance in the first 15 minutes came from Breukelen Woodard after Stephens drew a corner. Directly off the corner, Woodard hammered a volley on her first touch, but it hit another Quaker in front of the keeper, halting the momentum of the shot.
Despite the early pressure, Princeton managed the game's first goal. Mimi Asom spun her defender and finished well, placing it in the far corner.
After conceding, Penn got right back to business and put together a solid spell to close the half with some momentum. In the final minute, Kelsey Andrews hit a shot from at least 30 yards away, but it just floated over the bar. For just the second time this season, the Quakers headed into the intermission down a goal.
The second half turned into an absolute grind; with the two best defensive teams in the Ivy League – both squads allowed fewer than 10 goals all year – it became a lot more of a battle.
Penn, as usual, saw an uptick in intensity to open the second half, but couldn't sniff out a quality chance in the second 45 until the final minute.
The Quakers clawed out three consecutive corners within the final minute and forced two saves off the line. It was an epitome of the entire 90 minutes, a frantic, hectic and physical affair.
#FightOnPenn
