A team that returns 93 percent of its scoring from a top eight seed in the NCAA tournament and starts the season 6-0 for the first time since 2015 should be receiving all sorts of praise and attention.

Nevertheless, No. 9 Penn is in that familiar position – under the radar. 

“We’re kind of used to it,” coach Karin Corbett said. “We’ve played some strong teams and done well, but we haven’t played teams in that top level. That’s what people concentrate on.”

What will be tough for opponents to concentrate on is the plethora of options the Quakers bring to the attack.

Corbett admitted that last year’s team relied mainly on two players – Alex Condon and Caroline Cummings, the latter who went down with an ACL tear in mid-April. Penn’s stunted offense sputtered in the postseason leading to an early exit.

Fast forward to 2018 and six players boast at least 14 points, and Cummings and Condon aren’t among the top four. In fact, Gabby Rosenzweig (32) has more points than Cummings (17) and Condon (14) combined.

“It’s really nice," Corbett said. "It’s where we were limited last year. Alex and Caroline had to do so much. When they draw top defenders, it doesn’t work as well this year [for opponents]. There are better kids that can put the ball in the net, which opens things up later down the road for them, too.”

As for Condon, her role has expanded now that she’s a captain. She’s a capable two-way player and provides a calming influence on the rest of her team. Much of that was learned from the struggles down the stretch of the 2017 season.

“She’s really leading us well,” Corbett said. “I think there was a lot on her shoulders last year. The pressure at times was hard. Although she’s a captain, there’s a lot of great players out there. She knows that if she keeps playing her game, things will come to her. She doesn’t have to force things. It’s not just about her.”

The staple to Corbett’s successful Quaker squads has been a stout defense. That has proven to be true this season as Penn ranks second in scoring defense (7.67 goals-against per game), just behind No. 1 Stony Brook (7.00).

Anchoring that defense is Ivy League Defensive Player of the Week Mikaila Cheeseman, whose 10 saves paced the Quakers’ 18-6 win over Georgetown this weekend. Eight of those saves came in the first half when Penn was sloppy on the offensive end (12 turnovers) and had to protect a 5-4 lead.

Cheeseman didn’t begin the year as the starter, however, splitting time with Maggie Smith because she was recovering from a thumb injury suffered in fall ball. According to Corbett, an effective showing against Rutgers where she made seven saves against three goals allowed won her the job.

“There are save saves, and then there’s really good saves,” Corbett said, emphasizing Cheeseman’s impact. “She’s really quick and really fast. She’s a really good goalie and she’s showing more confidence.”

In front of her, Corbett credited Natalie Stefan’s transition from attacking midfielder to defense for steadying a talented defensive core.

“Our defense is our stronghold,” Corbett said. “With Natalie moving back, she’s a big presence and a captain as well. I think she talks well on defense and that’s been a big change in a positive way.”

A key to Penn’s success this week at Duke will be their ability to gain the draw. Against the Hoyas, the Quakers came down with 20-of-25 draws led by a school-record 13 from Zoe Belodeau, who chipped in with five points on a goal and four assists.

“Zoe has been amazing on the circle," Corbett said of Belodeau, who has 40 of the team’s 88 draw controls. "She has a nose for the ball.”

Lastly, Corbett and her coaching staff are looking for consistency at Duke. She feels as though her team has been able to play well for stretches, but not a complete game. Vital to finding that consistency is having a full week to prepare for the Blue Devils.

“We have to be more consistent on attack,” she said. “Although we’re 6-0, there’s a lot more to improve upon. We have a tough schedule. Playing well for 60 minutes is what’s important.”

Then after Duke, it won’t get any easier. The Quakers welcome Maryland in what could be a Top 10 showdown next Wednesday at Franklin Field.

THE WEEK THAT WAS:

JMU Completes Big Ten Sweep

The No. 3 Dukes first withstood a furious rally by Penn State last Wednesday, seeing a 13-5 lead hold on for a 14-12 victory. A 5-0 run early in the second half grew a three-goal JMU (7-0) lead into an eight-goal advantage during a 16-8 win over Rutgers on Sunday. James Madison ranks fifth nationally in scoring margin (+6.0 goals per game).

Greyhounds on a Roll

A thrilling triple overtime win against local rival Towson set up Loyola’s 13-7 win over Princeton on Saturday. A trio of hat tricks from Taylor VanThof, Frankie Kamely and Elli Kluegel paced the ‘Hounds, while goalie Kady Glynn had 13 saves to frustrate the Tigers. No. 13 Loyola is on a three-game winning streak heading into Wednesday’s game against No. 7 Virginia.

Unbeaten Watch

Four fell from the ranks of the unbeaten this past week. Canisius stunned Yale in triple overtime, Virginia fell to North Carolina, Towson lost at Loyola and Bryant lost one-goal games to Brown and Harvard.

Just four teams remain unbeaten and all of them appear in this week’s Nike/U.S. Lacrosse rankings.

No. 1 Stony Brook (5-0)
No. 2 James Madison (7-0)
No. 4 Boston College (9-0)
No. 9 Penn (6-0)

MID-WEEK GAMES TO WATCH:

Gators Welcome Navy

Tuesday’s marquee game is between No. 5 Florida and No. 10 Navy at 1 p.m. Expect the goals to fly as Florida has scored at least 14 in every game this season, while Navy has tallied at least 11 in six of seven contests. For the Gators, it will be their third straight game against a Top 10 foe, while the Mids are still looking for their first win over a ranked opponent this season.

No. 1 Back in Action

Stony Brook heads to Delaware on Tuesday (6 p.m.) as the No. 1 team in the country for the third straight week. The Seawolves are on a 16-game regular-season winning streak.

Hounds and Hoos Square Off

Wednesday’s Loyola-Virginia tilt brings together a team on its winning ways (Loyola) against a team that suffered its first loss this past weekend (Virginia). The Cavaliers took an 11-7 decision last year ending the Greyhounds’ three-game winning streak in the series. Opening draw from Baltimore is set for 6 p.m.