Sam Rubin
The Yale field hockey team suffered its fourth conference loss of the season against Penn on Saturday, falling by a score of 4–2.
Coming off of wins against Dartmouth and Quinnipiac, Yale (4–10, 1–4 Ivy) traveled to Philadelphia to take on the Quakers (6–8, 3–2) in its fifth Ancient Eight matchup of the season. Just a minute into the first quarter, the Elis jumped out to an early lead. But Penn negated this early Bulldog pressure and scored before the end of the first period. After a scoreless second quarter, both teams netted goals in the third period, tying the game at 2–2. Nevertheless, in the final period of play, the Quakers tallied two goals in quick succession and sealed the win against the Bulldogs.
“The game was very disappointing and we were gutted at the result given that we really tried our hardest,” midfielder Olivia Levieux ’21 said. “Unfortunately, we just didn’t have the legs or enough mental focus to stay in the game like we should’ve and that’s definitely something we’re trying to work on.”
Just moments after the opening whistle, midfielder Alissa Wong ’22 won the race to a ball in and sent a shot past Penn keeper Ava Rosati. Despite this early surge of momentum, the Bulldogs failed to record any more shots in the quarter. The Quakers, who had six shots and five corners in the first period alone, leveled the score with three minutes left in the frame after midfielder Lily Clarkson sent a shot past netminder Sydney Terroso ’21.
Despite Penn’s 9–2 shot advantage, the Elis entered the break tied 1–1. Terroso, who has been a standout player this season, recorded four saves in the first half, keeping the Bulldogs in the contest.
“Sydney is such a leader and rock in the goal,” defender Katie Pieterse ’22 said. “Playing back there would be a lot harder without her strong communication and presence.”
Ten minutes into the second half, Penn defender Elita van Staden scored on a penalty stroke after the Elis committed a foul, putting the hosts ahead 2–1. The Quakers’ lead was short-lived, however, as the Bulldogs responded with a goal of their own less than two minutes later. On Yale’s only corner of the third quarter, Levieux set up forward Lena Ansari ’23 for her second goal of the season.
Levieux has recorded a goal or assist in each of the Elis’ five conference games this season. With nine points in conference play and 16 points overall, Levieux has emerged as one of the team’s offensive leaders alongside captain Bridget Condie ’20 and midfielder Imogen Davies ’21, who have 17 and 15 points respectively.
Entering the final quarter tied 2–2, the Bulldogs continued to put pressure on the Quakers. Despite three penalty corners and three shots in the period, the Elis failed to produce any goals. Meanwhile, Penn scored two goals of its own. With nine minutes remaining in the game, back Laura Shelton dribbled through the Yale defense and sent a shot past Terroso to give the Quakers the lead. The hosts then sealed the win four minutes later with another penalty stroke goal by van Staden.
With the loss to Penn, Yale falls to 1–4 in the Ancient Eight, tied for sixth with Brown. On Friday, Yale travels to the Big Apple to face Columbia, who is 3–2 in conference play. The Bulldogs return home for their final two games of the season against Merrimack and Brown.
“I think we’re looking to end the season like we know we can,” Condie said. “Focus for practice this week is on fine tuning both ends of the field for attack and defense.”
This was the 42nd meeting between the Bulldogs and the Quakers, with Penn leading the series 29–13.
Drew Beckmen | drew.beckmen@yale.edu