PHILADELPHIA - A seven-match gauntlet in hopes of an Ivy League title begins on Saturday for the University of Pennsylvania men's soccer team, as the Quakers open conference play with Cornell for the 12th year in a row, hosting the Big Red on Oct. 5 at 5 p.m. on Rhodes Field. 

MATCH DAY 8 - Cornell (5-2, 0-0 Ivy League) at Penn (3-3-1, 0-0 Ivy League)
Saturday, Oct. 5 | 5:00 p.m. | Rhodes Field | Live Stats | ESPN+ | NBC Sports Philadelphia

Series Information
Penn leads 58-33-14 | Last meeting: 2018 (Cornell, 1-0 2OT)

Penn has faced the Big Red more than any other team in program history, owning a 58-33-14 lead in 105 all-time meetings between the two sides. The Quakers have posted either a win or draw against Cornell in five of the last six meetings, but the Big Red prevailed last season in Ithaca, edging Penn 1-0 in double overtime. The last time the two played in Philadelphia ended in a 1-1 draw, as Penn hasn't lost at home to Cornell since a 1-0 setback in 2011. 

Making Strides
The Quakers have six goals in seven games this year. Last year, it took Penn 11 games to reach the six-goal threshold. 

Keepin' it Clean
The Quakers rank ninth nationally in fewest amount of fouls per game, committing just over nine each time out, limiting set piece opportunities for their opponents. 

Bhangdia's Boot
Junior Joey Bhangdia leads the Quakers with four goals scored this season, including game-winners against Marist and Temple. His total of two game-winning goals is 29th nationally, and he ranks second in the league in goals scored and fourth in shots per game.

Backline Consistency
Since Gill's arrival as head coach for the Quakers, Penn has taken a step forward on the defensive side of the ball, due in large part to a consistent backline grouping of Alex Touche, RC Williams, Casey Barone and Brandon Bartel as a holding midfielder. Touche, Bartel and Barone have played all 650 possible minutes this season, while Williams has played all but 11 possible minutes. Penn's three shutouts this season are tied for the most in the conference.

Reliable Connection
Bartel and Touche have become a reliable connection, particularly in set pieces, for the Quakers the last two seasons. Touche has scored six goals in his career with the Quakers -- including one this season to even the match against Rutgers -- five of his six goals have come on assists from Bartel. 

Scouting the Big Red
Cornell enters Ivy League action as one of two teams in the conference receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches top-25. At 5-2 on the year, the Big Red have posted some impressive results, including a 2-1 win in overtime over 16th-ranked Michigan State and a double-overtime victory over Akron last weekend. Their two losses came at the hands of Michigan and Syracuse. Cornell has edged its opponents in total goals this year, 11-9, led by four scores and two assists from Harry Fuller. Ryan Bayne has scored twice this season as the only other Big Red player to land multiple goals so far. In goal, Ryan Shellow has started six of Cornell's seven matches with a .700 save percentage, allowing just under one goal per game on average.