VILLANOVA, Pa.  – The University of Pennsylvania women's soccer team battled to the final whistle in its season opener at Villanova on Friday afternoon but ultimately fell to the host Wildcats, 1-0, at the Higgins Soccer Complex.
 
A stellar defensive performance from junior goalkeeper Annabel Austen was not enough to get Penn its first win of the season as the Red and Blue fell to 0-1-0 top open the 2024 campaign. Villanova improved to 2-1-0 on the young campaign.
 
Quaker Notemeal
* Austen saw her first action between the pipes since the 2022 season, saving three shots and only allowing the one goal.
 
*Penn attempted seven shots across the 90 minutes of action including two each from senior Kat Peroulas and sophomores Magali Capdevila and Mia Fuss. White had the Quakers' only on-target attempt Friday. 

*Sophomore Leah Finkelman made her first collegiate start after playing in just eight matches last season.
 
*The Quakers played five freshmen in the season opener: Lily White, Isabella Zulli, Mila Maltby, Eden Veenema, and Hailey Adamsky.
  
How it Happened
The Red and Blue started the first half with an emphasis on defense, forcing the Cats to take multiple corner shots to open the game.

Fuss took the Quakers' first shot, but was off target in the 17th minute.
 
Villanova's goal came just 18 seconds into the second half, Susanna Soderman grabbing the honors. The Quakers kicked off to start the period, but VU's Gabby Koluch quickly stole the ball. Soderman then dribbled her way to the top of the box and sent a shot from just outside the box that got past a diving Austen. 
 
Peroulas tried to muster some offense around the 49-minute mark, but her shot was blocked to keep the game at 1-0.
 
The Quakers didn't allow another goal for the rest of the match as Austen had a nice second half to keep the game at a one-goal deficit. The junior ended the match with three saves on the day, two of them coming from the second half.
 
Up Next
The Quakers will meet University City neighbor Drexel on Sunday evening at the Dragons' Vidas Field. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m.