PHILADELPHIA – The University of Pennsylvania women's soccer team hits the road for the first time this season to take on Delaware and Navy on Friday and Sunday, respectively, in Annapolis, Md.

Penn is looking to rebound after suffering its first defeat of the season at the hands of 13th-ranked North Carolina State on Friday at Rhodes Field. The Quakers conceded an early third-minute goal to the Pack before battling to a 1-0 result. Penn was shutout for the first time, coming on the heels of a six-goal opening weekend that included victories over Mount St. Mary's (5-0) and Army West Point (1-0).

Five different Quakers have scored in 2018, led by Paige Howard's two goals and five points, and Emily Sands' converted penalty match winner in the second half against the Black Knights. First-team All-Ivy keeper Kitty Qu is off to a solid start, stopping eight shots while allowing just the lone goal to N.C. State.  

MATCH DAY 4 – Penn (2-1-0) vs. Delaware (1-4-1)
Friday, September 7 | 5 p.m. | Annapolis, Md. | Live Stats

Series Information
Records: Penn leads 9-6 | Last meeting: Sept. 11, 2017 (Penn, 1-0)

Friday marks the 16th meeting between Penn and the Blue Hens, a series the Quakers have dominated as of late. Since 1995, nine of the 11 matchups have gone to the Red and Blue, including the last four. Most recently, they've been nip-and-tuck battles with Penn snatching away each of the last three by just a goal. Last year, Erica Higa scored in the first minute at Rhodes Field and the Quakers defense dug in to secure that one-goal advantage the rest of the way. The year before, Sands and Emma Loving tallied goals in a 2-1 victory at Newark, Del.

PREVIEWING THE BLUE HENS
Delaware opened the season with a trio of road trips, traveling to Rutgers, Seton Hall and George Washington in less than a week. The Blue Hens suffered shutout defeats to both the Scarlet Knights and the Colonials, but earned a scoreless draw with the Pirates. Next were three consecutive games at Delaware's Stuart & Suzanna Grant Stadium where, following a 3-1 loss to Monmouth, the Blue Hens secured their first win of the season, a 1-0 result against Lafayette. Riley Curtin came through with that match winner, coming in just the third minute. Since, UD fell to Massachusetts 3-0.

MATCH DAY 5 – Penn (2-1-0) at Navy (2-1-3)
Sunday, September 9 | 3 p.m. | Annapolis, Md. | Live Stats | Video

Series Information
Records: 2-2-1 | Last meeting: 2014 (Navy, 2-1)

Just one matchup – the inaugural meeting – in the Penn-Navy series was decided by more than a goal, a 6-0 win for the Quakers back in 1999. Since, the two schools have traded punches with Navy taking 3-2 and 2-1 wins in 2010 and 2014, respectively, and the Quakers capturing a 1-0 overtime win in 2013. The road team has been more successful in the series, going 3-1-1 and winning the last three.

PREVIEWING THE MIDSHIPMEN
Navy enters the weekend having drawn three games on the trot against Maryland, Gardner-Webb and Western Carolina. In fact, the Midshipmen have yet to play a game decided by more than a goal, including a 2-1 loss – their only one of the season – to then-No. 20 North Carolina State in the season opener. Following that defeat to the Pack – a game in which they took a 1-0 lead into the half – the Mids beat Pacific and Stetson 1-0 at home. Navy has three goal scorers thus far, a group led by already two-time Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week Baseley McClaskey who has a pair.

The Mids take on South Florida on Friday night in Annapolis, Md., following Penn's weekend-opening contest with Delaware.