University of Pennsylvania Athletics

PHILADELPHIA – The University of Pennsylvania field hockey team dominated in its 2026 home opener, cruising to a 7-1 victory over La Salle on Friday afternoon at Ellen Vagelos Field. The win marked the Quakers' first of the 2026 season, improving their record to 1-2 overall.

Penn controlled the game from the opening whistle, firing 34 shots throughout the afternoon while holding La Salle to just 11. Reese Czajkowski and Lucy Mangat each scored twice, while Riley Thomson, Naomi Esterowitz and Maxi Aranowitz each tallied goals of their own.

In goal, Ruby de Frees made 10 saves across the first three quarters, while Samira Rafide made her collegiate debut in the fourth quarter and recorded a save.

Quaker Notemeal
*Penn recorded 34 shots, including six from Czajkowski and five each from Honor Roberts and Thomson.

*Czajkowski and Mangat each scored twice and had an assist for a total of three points apiece.

*Sydney Mandato led in assists (3), followed by Roberts (2).

*de Frees made 10 saves in goal.

How It Happened
Penn wasted little time getting on the scoreboard. Thomson opened the scoring with 12:00 left on the clock off a penalty stroke, giving the Quakers an early 1-0 advantage.

Less than two minutes later, Czajkowski doubled Penn's lead, sneaking a shot past the La Salle goalkeeper off an assist from Roberts.

With seven minutes remaining in the opening quarter, Czajkowski found Mangat, who finished the opportunity to put the Quakers ahead 3-0. Penn carried its three-goal lead into the second quarter.

La Salle got on the board in the second frame, but the Quakers' defense held firm for the remainder of the period with de Frees standing strong in goal. Penn went into halftime with a 3-1 advantage.

Czajkowski struck again early in the third quarter, converting her second goal of the afternoon off a second assist from Roberts.

With five minutes remaining in the third, Esterowitz added another milestone to the afternoon, scoring the first goal of her collegiate career to push Penn's lead to 5-1. The Red and Blue carried that four-goal advantage into the final quarter.

Penn continued to pour on the offense in the final frame. Aranowitz converted a penalty stroke for the first goal of her collegiate career, extending the Quakers' lead to 6-1.

With 2:32 remaining in the game, Mangat found the back of the cage for the second time, capping the scoring and securing a dominant 7-1 victory for Penn.

Up Next
The Quakers (1-2, 0-0 Ivy League) will remain home Friday, Sept. 18, to host No. 4 Princeton at 3 p.m. for its first Ivy League matchup of the season. Friday will also be Penn's Childhood Cancer Awareness and Gold in September game. The Red and Blue's second game of the weekend will be on Sunday, Sept. 20 at noon against Towson in Towson, Md.

For the latest on Penn field hockey, follow @PennFieldHockey on X and on Instagram, and on the web at PennAthletics.com.