Penn Downed by #3 Northwestern in Women’s Lacrosse

Penn Could Not Overcome Third Quarter Northwestern Surge

PHILADELPHIA, PA. 4/3/2022 –

When playing the third ranked team in the country, a full four quarters of play is necessary to be able to win. That has been a challenge for the youthful University of Pennsylvania women’s lacrosse team this season. The Penn Quakers fell behind early, and experienced a rough third quarter in the 17 – 9 loss to the Northwestern Wildcats at Penn Park.

“To have four quarters is something we have not yet been able to do this year,” said Penn Coach Karin Corbett.

“It’s stringing together four quarters is where we have to grow as a team.”

A Rugged Third Quarter for Penn

The third quarter proved very costly for the Quakers in this game. Northwestern outscored Penn 6 – 0 holding the hosts without a shot in those fifteen minutes while getting 14, causing 7 turnovers by the Red and Blue whole committing only one. Penn was whistled for 11 fouls in the third.

“If you look at the third quarter, it was really bad,” Corbett said.

Key Goals for Northwestern Around Halftime

Penn scored the first goal of the game, but would give up the next four. Still, the Quakers would rally and got to within 6 – 4 late in the second quarter on an unassisted goal by midfielder Anna Brandt who would record a hat trick in the contest. Northwestern scored the next goal, then with 5 seconds left prior to halftime Lauren Gilbert found the back of the net giving her team an 8 – 4 lead at intermission. The Wildcats opened the scoring in the pivotal third quarter in the first 52 seconds when Carleigh Mahoney got a goal. The Red and Blue were within striking distance, but that lapse around halftime titled the game solidly towards the visitors. It shows a need for growth.

“It’s understanding playing that whole quarter well and then coming back out and coming strong as a team,” said Corbett. “That is some of the growing pains that we have to learn.”

Improvement in the Fourth Quarter

The Quakers did exhibit resilience in winning the fourth quarter 5 – 3 outshooting the opponent 11 – 3. And the Red and Blue did not turn the ball over.

“We did some very good things,” Corbett observed. “My goal for them was to win the fourth quarter, and we did. We were scoring and there were some good things to take from that. We’ve got to learn to get better.”

Scoring Recap

In the game Penn won 16 draw controls. Attack Kennon Moon won a team-high six draws giving her 46 this year, and midfielder Maria Themelis contributed five.

Lauren Gilbert and Jill Girardi lead the Wildcats (10 – 2) scoring four goals each. Both players added an assist. Gilbert scored goal number 44 for the season while Girardi has 26.

Anna Brandt reached 12 goals for the season. Attack Keeley Block added 2 goals, 16 for the season, and an assist to give her the team-lead in points at 18. Chloe Hunter and Themelis scored 2 goals each.

Non-Conference to Ancient Eight Games Now

Penn (3 – 7, 0 – 2) finishes a very tough non-conference part of their schedule. The Quakers want to play the best. Five nationally ranked teams have appeared on the Penn schedule. According to Corbett the team can see the level that is out there and aspire to those levels. The Red and Blue will have Ivy League games on the docket for the remainder of the regular season. Next up is an April 9 game at Cornell.

Boxscore

Written By: Glenn Papazian

Contact: glenn@phillycollegesports.com