Sept. 6, 2009

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PHILADELPHIA - La Salle Women's Soccer dropped its first game of the season in a 5-2 loss at Penn Sunday night at Rhodes Field, despite putting the first goal on the board just 1:09 into the match.

Morgan Golden took a pass from Traci DePasquale and put the ball into the net to put the Explorers up 1-0. For DePasquale, it was her 23rd career helper, tying her for second all-time at the school

La Salle would keep that lead through the first 28 minutes before the Explorers were called for a foul in the box, setting up a penalty kick.

The Quakers' Michelle Drugan scored on the attempt, ending the Explorers' scoreless streak that reached 413 minutes and 57 seconds - just 32 minutes shy of the school record. It was also the first goal allowed this season by freshman goalkeeper Gabrielle Pakhtigian.

Penn (2-0) would tally just over 10 minutes later, as Jessica Fuccello netted her first of four on the night, assisted by Drugan. In the second half, Fuccello scored at 49:13 and 58:07 with both assists credited to Alex Dayneka and put Penn ahead 4-1.

La Salle (4-1-1) cut their deficit to a pair as DePasquale scored on a cross from Ally Kenney. Those two are now tied for the team-lead with three goals, while DePasquale leads Kenney 5-4 in assists.

Fuccello added another insurance goal with less than 17 minutes left in the contest to all by secure the Penn victory.

The Explorers are still off to the second-best start in school history, just behind the 2000 squad, who were 5-1 through its first six games. They will return to action this weekend with a Friday/Sunday home series against Albany (7 PM) and Vermont (1 PM).