NCAA Women's Lacrosse Preview: No. 12 Penn Building Experience

USA Lacrosse Magazine is beginning its countdown to the 2025 women's lacrosse season by releasing one team preview per day beginning on Monday, Jan. 13.

We continue the countdown with No. 12 Penn, which returns some offense but is poised to have an inexperienced defense in front of an inexperienced goalie.

Penn has prided itself on having a stingy defense. Last year, the Quakers ranked 14th in the country in scoring defense with Kelly Van Hoesen 10th in save percentage, but the goalie and defensive core led by two-time Ivy Defender of the Year Izzy Rohr are among the eight starters to graduate.

“Having an inexperienced defense in front of an inexperienced goalie, we haven't really done that before,” head coach Karin Corbett said. “So, that will be interesting.”

At the other end, Penn has more offense back, though it must replace 2023 Ivy League Attacker of the Year and unanimous 2024 Ivy first-team pick Niki Miles, who led the Quakeres in goals and draw controls and was second in assists. Penn’s next four scorers return, led by a Tewaaraton Award candidate Anna Brandt and Erika Chung.

The freshman class showed talent and an advanced ability to grasp concepts in the fall, something that’s helping them make inroads into the lineup early. The first-years can strengthen the attack and midfield, while the defense will lean on returning players to take on bigger roles.

“We’ve got holes, that’s for sure,” Corbett said. “It’s just how quickly we can get these kids ready and prepared and confident in what they’re doing. But I’m fine being the underdog.”

TOP RETURNERS

Anna Brandt, M, Sr. (60G, 58DC)
Erika Chung, A, Sr. (12G, 52A)
Natasha Gorriaran, D, Sr. (29GB, 24CT)

Brandt was invited to play with the U.S. Women’s National Training Team in the fall, and she turned heads with her play. The 2023 Ivy League Midfielder of the Year plays powerfully, and the true two-way middie impacts both ends of the field. Last year, she came three goals away from tying the Penn single-season record, and without Miles, she will have more opportunities and attract more attention. And while she played on the circle last year, she’s been experimenting taking the draw herself.

“I think she’s potentially the best midfielder in the country,” Corbett said.

KEY ADDITIONS

Sarah Kelley, M, Fr. (70G, 17A)
Kate Stanton, M, Fr. (88G, 122DC)
Caroline Marotta, M, Fr. (99PTS, 61DC)

Penn’s impact freshmen aren’t limited to these three.

“I haven’t had kids who have picked up things as quickly as this group has,” Corbett said. “I think the future is really bright for us, but they are young. I am pleased with their game sense, their athletic ability, their ability to pick up concepts.”

Kelley is another true two-way middie who will play right away, and Stanton showed an ability to score in the fall that will earn her time on attack. Marotta brings great athleticism and IQ to the midfield.

NOTABLE DEPARTURES

Graduations: Julia Chai, A; Kaitlyn Cumiskey, M; Sophie Davis, D; Lexi Edmonds, A; Aly Feeley, M; Grace Fujinaga, D; Niki Miles, A; Izzy Rohr, D; Morgan Smith, D; Maria Themelis, M; Kelly Van Hoesen, G
Transfers: Lexi Edmonds (Clemson); Grace Fujinaga (Northwestern); Niki Miles (Northwestern); Morgan Smith (Boston College); Maria Themelis (Boston College)

X-FACTOR

Maggie Bankowski, D, So.

Bankowski missed her freshman year, but she factors heavily into Penn’s plans for this year.

“She is going to impact our team on our defense as well as the draw,” Corbett said.

She is the frontrunner to take Rohr’s spot in one of Penn’s zones, and she came out of the fall as the leader to take the draw. If she can be successful enough placing the ball, it will allow Penn to keep Brandt on the circle where she’s better than any other Quaker.

THE NARRATIVE

Penn’s returning players have confidence coming off a season in which they earned notable wins over Johns Hopkins, Maryland and Loyola. They have to combine with a new cast to keep the Quakers formidable.

The defensive question marks might not be as dire as they seem. Gorriaran has started since she was a freshman and covers so much ground in their zone.

“She is a big player that has been overlooked because of the takeaway defenders that we had on the team,” Corbett said.

She’ll be surrounded by a group that is looking to prove itself.

Natasha Yajadda “would have played for probably the last two years if we didn't have the strength that we had,” Corbett said. She and improved sophomore Clare Ruff are quality crease defenders. Grace Lillis is back following two years of knee injuries.

The biggest uncertainty is goalie, where Penn has had a lineage of top-flight players. Caitlin Noack played only five minutes last year, but the junior is familiar with the schemes. Orly Sedransk was the top-ranked goalie recruit by Inside Lacrosse, but she’s just a freshman. Neither one is proven, but one will be the last line for a developing defense.

“We’re going to get there,” Corbett said. “We’re going to be real different in April with the experience that we’re going to give them.”