PHILADELPHIA – The University of Pennsylvania field hockey team opens the 2023 campaign this weekend, hosting the annual Ivy League-ACC Crossover at Ellen Vagelos Field. The Quakers will take on reigning national champion, No. 1 North Carolina, on Friday before clashing with No. 9 Louisville on Sunday.
 
GAME #1:
Penn vs. #1 North Carolina
Friday, Sept. 1 | 2 p.m.
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GAME #2:
Penn vs. #9 Louisville
Sunday, Sept. 3 | 1:30 p.m.
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SERIES AGAINST THE TAR HEELS
The two squads are meeting for the seventh time in program history, as Penn looks for its first win over UNC. A series that dates to 2016, the first three matchups were at Ellen Vagelos Field. The programs have matched up every season since the initial bout in 2016 except for 2020 due to the pandemic.
 
LAST TIME WE MET
Last season, the Quakers headed to Chapel Hill to open the season for the Ivy-ACC Crossover, dropping a 4-0 decision to the Tar Heels in the final contest of the weekend on Sunday, September 4. Penn held one of the highest scoring offenses in the country to four goals.
 
SERIES AGAINST THE CARDINALS
The Quakers are meeting Louisville for the third time in program history and third time in three straight years, all of which have been in the Ivy-ACC Crossover. The Cardinals have won the prior two matchups, 3-1 in 2021 and 4-1 in 2022.
 
LAST TIME WE MET
It was the season opener last year in Chapel Hill where a tight battle had the Quakers trailing by one in the 25th minute. Although Penn fell to then-No. 9 Louisville, 4-1, in the matchup, Lis Zandbergen connected on a penalty corner before halftime to bring the Quakers within one, 2-1. Penn outshot the Cardinals for the game, 12-8, with nine shots on target.
 
NATIONAL WATCH LIST
The National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) announced the Division I Watch List on Thursday afternoon, naming 131 student-athletes from 40 programs. To earn a spot on the list, you must have been previously recognized for outstanding field hockey abilities within the past two year (All-Region, All-American, All-Conference, Nexus Championship selection, AAU Junior Olympic Games selection, and/or US National or International Team roster). The Quakers have five student-athletes make the list: Courtney Kenah, Allison Kuzyk, Meghan McGinley, Julia Ryan, and Kylie Wall.  
 
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