PHILADELPHIA - One of only nine unbeaten teams remaining in NCAA Division I lacrosse and fresh off a dominating start to Ivy League play, the University of Pennsylvania women's lacrosse team will turn their focus back to the non-conference, welcoming in neighborhood rival Drexel on Tuesday, March 5 at 3 p.m. inside Franklin Field. 

Series History
The Quakers are 13-2 all-time against the Dragons, including a 16-11 victory at Vidas Field last season in the first matchup between the two schools since 2013.

Defensively Dominant
Penn has been able to rely on its defense in its 4-0 start to the season, currently ranking third nationally, allowing only 5.75 goals per game. Much of this is the strength of Penn's starting backline, including Katy Junior, Chelsea Kibler and Lauren O'Mara, as well as a stout performance in goal so far this year by junior netminder Mikaila Cheeseman. Cheeseman currently leads the nation with a .649 save percentage and ranks second in the country with a 5.95 GAA. 

Rosenzweig Leading the Way
Junior Gabby Rosenzweig has wasted no time in being the kickstarter for Penn's offense this season, leading the way with 11 goals and 14 assists, including five helpers against the Bulldogs last time out. Rosenzweig currently ranks fourth nationally in both assists, averaging 3.5 per game, and points, averaging 6.26 a game.

Three Quakers on Tewaaraton Watch List
Erin Barry, Zoe Belodeau and Gabby Rosenzweig all saw their names on the first Tewaaraton Watch List of the year, highlighting the nation's best players in college lacrosse. Rosenzweig, one of the final 25 Tewaaraton Award nominees last year, currently leads the team offensively with 11 goals and 14 assists for 25 points. Belodeau ranks second on the team in points on the season with 12, while Barry is third with eight and ranks second with 10 ground balls.

Cheeseman Named Ivy League Defensive Player of the Week
For the second-straight week, junior Mikaila Cheeseman has been named Ivy League Defensive Player of the Week following solid play in goal against both Rutgers and Yale. Cheeseman allowed just three goals each against both the Scarlet Knights and the Bulldogs. 

Impact Freshmen
A pair of freshmen have stepped from the first draw for the Quakers, as both Michaela McMahon and Taylyn Stadler have started all four games this season. Both have scored at least one goal in each game for Penn, while Stadler posted a hat trick in Penn's 15-5 victory over Rutgers last week and ranks third on the squad with seven goals. 

High Rankings, High Expectations
The Quakers entered 2019 ranked 10th in the preseason IWLCA poll and have moved up to No. 8, after last week checking in at 12th. Additionally, Penn started the year No. 7 nationally in the Nike/US Lacrosse Preseason Poll, and has slid up to sixth after the first two weeks of play. The Quakers checked in at No. 13 in the Inside Lacrosse preseason top-20 and are now number six. 

Panzarella Party
Freshman Robin Panzarella scored her first collegiate goals in Penn's last game against Yale, netting two scores against the Bulldogs. She also picked up two ground balls in her first game on Franklin Field.

Good Times in Overtime
The Quakers have already notched dramatic victory in overtime last weekend, defeating No. 17 Johns Hopkins 11-10 in Baltimore. The win was Coach Karin Corbett's 53rd victory over a ranked opponent, as Penn rallied from down two in the second half, holding the Bluejays scoreless for nearly 22 minutes to take the lead, before winning on a free position goal from Barry in the extra period.

Dominating Start
Penn opened the season with a thorough performance on the road at Delaware, taking down the Blue Hens 15-4. The Quakers received a balanced attack offensively, featuring eight different goal scorers, while causing 12 turnovers and picking up 20 ground balls. Erin Barry and Zoe Belodeau led the way offensively as each tallied five points. Junior Mikaila Cheeseman made nine saves in the win. 

A Tradition of Success
Penn has won 11 of the last 12 Ivy League championships, including three conference tournament titles, and have advanced to 12-straight NCAA Tournaments, the fifth-longest active streak in the country.

Aye, Aye Captain(s)!
Senior defenders Katy Junior and Lauren O'Mara have been tabbed as captains for the 2019 campaign of Penn women's lacrosse.

Dissecting Drexel
The Dragons enter Tuesday's contest at 2-2 on the year, owning wins over Iona and Rutgers (similar to Penn), and losses to Johns Hopkins and Georgetown.The Dragons were selected to finish sixth in the preseason Colonial Athletic Association poll, and last year's CAA Rookie of the Year, Colleen Grady was named preseason All-CAA for Drexel's first year head coach, Jill Batcheller. Grady leads the team in points so far this season with 16, owning nine goals and seven assists. Zoe Bennett has played the bulk of the minutes in goal with a 13.52 GAA. Overall, Drexel has scored 43 goals and given up 52.