The University of Pennsylvania Quakers defeated AU field hockey 3-2 in overtime Sunday at Jacobs Field, ending the team’s four-game winning streak that included a victory in its Patriot League opener last weekend.
AU (7-3, 2-0 PL) hasn’t lost since Louisville beat them 2-1 on Sept. 8. Coach Steve Jennings said he is worried the team has gotten too comfortable in the top spot.
“I think [today’s loss] better reset us mentality wise,” Jennings said. “We need to understand that it's not just about working hard for 70 minutes, it’s not just about getting a lot of statistical advantages, it’s about being able to capitalize on opportunities when we get them and being able to take control of the game.”
Freshman forward Noor Coenen scored seven out of the 34 goals this season, and scored both goals for the Eagles Sunday. Coenen secured the first goal of the game after four minutes off a penalty corner shot by senior forward Haley Bowcutt and an assist by senior midfielder Samantha McCormick.
Coenen scored a second goal unassisted five minutes into the second half. She gained possession of the ball outside the offensive circle and ran it inside, shooting between Quaker defenders to put a second point on the scoreboard.
“[After those shots], we thought the game was in our pockets, but next time we shouldn't be thinking like that,” Coenen said following the match. “It’s difficult after scoring twice, keeping them under pressure and thinking you’re going to score again, but it doesn’t happen. Next time we have to keep pushing, keep putting pressure on them and eventually the goal will be [in our favor] instead of theirs.”
Penn’s Alexa Hoover scored their first goal after 13 minutes, and Gina Guccione notched their second 20 minutes into the first half, giving the Quakers the lead at halftime. Hoover scored the Quakers’ winning goal one minute and 40 seconds into overtime.
AU shot nine penalty corners in this game. Out of those nine attempts, one ball made it in the net, and the other eight were either blocked by Penn’s goalkeeper Liz Mata or shot outside the target.
A major foul allowed sophomore forward Kathryn Roncoroni a penalty stroke 20 minutes in, giving her a one-on-one opportunity against Mata and a free shot. She missed, and the game resumed.
The Eagles outshot the Quakers 16-7, but the Eagles were unable to make the most of their chances to score.
“I think in the end, we created a large number of scoring opportunities, but we weren't able to execute them efficiently,” Jennings said. “[We had] a statistical advantage of having a lot of shots, but that doesn't matter when you don’t put them in.”
The Eagles play Holy Cross in their next Patriot League match Saturday, Sept. 30 at noon at Jacobs Field.
