PHILADELPHIA - Rachel Mirkin scored her third goal of the season and Paige Meily converted a penalty stroke late in the first half to give Penn a 2-1 victory over University City rivals, Drexel.
Penn and Drexel came out of the gates firing in game that has historically seen a loaded scoresheet. Mirkin found space in the circle within the first minute of play and launched a shot on goal, which was saved by the Drexel keeper. Meily got a shot off a minute later but it went just wide of goal.
Drexel responded minutes later with a shot saved by Ava Rosati and a shot wide of goal.
The following minutes saw both teams unable to create many chances, until Drexel were awarded a short corner.
Puk Thewessen was found in the circle by Tess Bernheimer, but her shot was blocked. Drexel's Ally Chapis recovered the rebound and passed to Bernheimer who put Drexel in the lead.
After a short period of play, the Quakers launched a quick counter attack with Mirkin in acres of space. Mirkin earned the Quakers their third corner of the game after her shot was touched illegally by a defender in the box.
Lily Clarkson pulled the ball to Meily at the top of the circle. Meily swept the ball wide to Schneck who found Mirkin at the far post to put the Quakers level. This was Mirkin's third goal of the season, a season high for her, and Schneck's third assist of the season.
The Mirkin-Schneck connection has been strong for the Penn offense this season. The two started as the Quakers' forward unit today and have now combined for two goals and two assists, respectively.
Shortly after Mirkin's goal, Penn was on the attacking end again. Madison Jiranek deked a defender in the circle and was taken down from behind, earning the Quakers a penalty stroke.
Paige Meily stepped up and coolly slotted the ball low and to the left past the Drexel goalkeeper. Penn entered halftime with a 2-1 lead.
The Quakers came out after halftime determined to extend their lead. Rachel Mirkin got a shot off minutes into the second half, but a stout Drexel defense blocked the shot. Ten minutes later, Mirkin got off the second shot of the half for both teams, but the ball went just wide of the goal.
Drexel sensed that they needed to increase their offensive urgency if they wanted to stay in the game. Bernheimer got off a shot, but Rosati reacted quickly to make her second save of the game.
Layne Litsinger fired another shot on goal for Drexel off a short corner, but Rosati came up with a big save to maintain the Quakers' lead.
Penn's defense locked in for the remainder of the game, blocking Drexel's final two shots. Schneck had an opportunity to close the game out in the 64th minute, but her shot went narrowly wide of goal.
Penn now improves its record to 3-3 and enters Ivy League play with a trip to Cornell next Saturday, Sept. 22. The Quakers will close out the weekend with a trip to No. 12 Syracuse on Sunday.
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