University of Pennsylvania Athletics

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – Penn field hockey battled Drexel through a scoreless first half on Sunday afternoon before the Dragons pulled away with three second-half goals to secure a 3-0 victory.

The Quakers controlled possession for much of the opening quarter and created the game's first penalty corner opportunity, but Drexel's defense held strong. Penn's defense matched that effort on the other end, keeping the Dragons off the scoreboard through the opening 30 minutes.

Quaker Notemeal
*Victoria Manzur led the Quakers with three shots, all of which were on target.

*Ruby de Frees made a crucial save on a Drexel penalty stroke in the second quarter to keep the game scoreless in the first half.

*The Quakers battled to keep the game within reach after Drexel scored twice in the third quarter.

How It Happened
Penn came out strong in the opening quarter, earning the first penalty corner of the afternoon and controlling possession for a majority of the frame. Both teams recorded two shots, with each goalkeeper making one save as the game remained scoreless heading into the second quarter.

Drexel earned a penalty stroke in the second, creating the best scoring opportunity of the first half. de Frees came up with a huge stop, denying the attempt and keeping the game tied at 0-0. Penn's defense continued to stand firm, as the penalty stroke was the only shot recorded by either team in the second quarter.

The Quakers and Dragons entered halftime still deadlocked, 0-0, after a tightly contested opening 30 minutes.

Drexel broke through just over a minute into the third quarter when Fleur Hamers converted a penalty corner, with Cato Nackaerts providing the assist.

Seven minutes later, Nackaerts added a goal of her own to extend the Dragons' advantage to 2-0.

Drexel carried that momentum into the final frame, adding another goal off a penalty corner to make it a 3-0 game. The Dragons generated four shots and seven penalty corners in the fourth quarter as they maintained pressure on the Red and Blue.
 
Penn continued to battle through the final minutes, with Manzur leading the Quakers' attack with three shots, all on target. The Red and Blue were unable to find the back of the net, however, as Drexel secured the 3-0 victory.

Up Next
The Quakers return home next weekend to Ellen Vagelos Field for a pair of games. Penn will host No. 10 Harvard on Friday, Oct. 2 at 3 p.m. for Penn Paws, supporting Morris Animal Refuge, Emancipet and PAWS.

Penn will then welcome Villanova on Sunday, Oct. 4 at noon for their Alumnae Game, Breast Cancer Awareness and Dream Crazy Game.
 

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