NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Yale's offense has drawn much of the attention in the Bulldogs' strong start to the season. On Saturday against Penn, it was the defense that excelled in a key 12-9 Ivy League victory over the Quakers on a chilly afternoon at Reese Stadium.
The Bulldogs (7-2) have won three straight games and are 3-1 in Ivy play which has them in a first-place tie with Cornell and Penn. The loss was the first in league games for the Quakers (7-4, 3-1 Ivy).
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Jared Paquette made 10 saves, including several that were difficult. Offensively,
Matt Brandau led the way with three goals and two assists.
Max Krevsky and
David Anderson both added two goals, while
Logan Soelberg, Johnny Keib, Patrick Hackler, Cole Cashion and
Peter Moynihan all scored once.
Thomas Bragg, Krevsky and
Carson Kuhl had assists.
Penn's leading goal scorer, Cam Rubin, was held to two goals.
RECORD BOOK
Brandau's five points give him 316 in his outstanding career, tying him with Ben Reeves '18 for the all-time Yale record. Brandau's 136 career assists are six shy of Reeves' Yale record. Brandau became Yale's all-time goal scoring leader in last Saturday's win at Brown. He has 180 career goals.
TURNING POINT
After the Quakers took their only lead of the afternoon, 5-4, midway through the second quarter, Yale answered with the next four goals, including one from Krevsky with two seconds left that gave the Bulldogs an 8-5 halftime lead. Penn closed to within two twice early in the third, but Yale had a response each time. Goals from Brandau, Cashion and Anderson had the Bulldogs in front 12-7 early in the fourth, and the Quakers never seriously threatened again.
KEY STATS
The Bulldogs had a 38-16 edge in ground balls. Yale also forced the Quakers into 16 turnovers, including 11 in the second half.
QUOTING SHAY
"I'm happy to get an Ivy League win. They are never easy," said
Andy Shay, The Forst Family Head Coach of the Bulldogs. "We played better defensively so we're happy with that. We were a little sticky on offense, but they are a very good defensive team."
NOTES
• The nine goals allowed were a season low for the Bulldogs, who had given up 10 in wins over Brown and Le Moyne.
• The 12 goals scored were a season low for Yale.
• Defenseman
Patrick Pisano had six ground balls and one caused turnover.
• Anderson and Brandau both had 12 shots.
WHAT'S NEXT
It's right back on the road for the Bulldogs, who play at Boston University on Tuesday at 4 p.m. in the first of three straight games away from home. Yale is at Dartmouth next Saturday [note the game is now scheduled for a 3:30 p.m. start] and then plays at Hofstra on Apr. 16.
