TEANECK, N.J.  – The University of Pennsylvania women's soccer team defeated Fairleigh Dickinson Thursday night, 2-1, on University Field in Teaneck, N.J. The Quakers move to 3-0-1 while the Knights fall to 0-4-1.
 
Quaker Notemeal
*Junior goaltender Megan Graves made her first appearance of the season, making four stops in the contest after she replaced starter Annabel Austen who was injured in the first quarter-hour.

*Freshman Lauren Anderson earned her first career start and scored her first collegiate goal in this contest.

*The Quakers' first seven goals of the season have come from seven unique goal scorers (Anderson, Abbey Cook, Taylor Ferraro, Mia Fuss, Mallory Lucas, Leigha Matter, and Lauren Stevens).

*Stevens, a freshman, had the other goal near the hour mark and became the first player to score multiple goals this season.

*The Quakers advance to 3-0-1 on the season. The last time the Quakers secured three wins before their first defeat was 2015, when they began 3-0-0.
 
How it Happened
The first half of this one proved to supply more offense than the previous two Quaker contests. The two teams combined for nine shots, with each goaltender making three saves. Junior goaltender Megan Graves was forced to make her first appearance of the season, entering in relief of Annabel Austen who exited with an injury at the 14th minute. Graves immediately made an impact, accruing three saves in the first half alone.

At the 32nd minute, senior Anuli Okafor crossed a ball from the far side of the box, which rolled toward the near side of the field before Anderson claimed the pass. Anderson sent the ball toward the goal with a high loft, putting it just above FDU's sophomore goaltender Rosemarie LeBlanc's hands and in the net for her first career goal.

It would not be long in the second half until the Red and Blue made their impact felt once again. As the match approached the hour mark, Stevens got the ball in close, putting it high and left for the second goal of the night.

FDU would not be taken down without a fight, however. In the 64th minute, FDU punched the ball in tight courtesy of a free kick. Landing dead center of the goal, a scrum ensued before freshman midfielder Allison Nase squeezed a shot through the left side. It was the first goal allowed by Penn this season, ending a goalless streak of more than 333 minutes.

As the rain began to pour, the Quakers' defense held firm, finalizing the 2-1 score and moving to 3-0-1 on the season. 

The Red and Blue travel to Easton, Pa. on Sunday to take on Lafayette in the second of this two-match road slate.