Momentum from its thrilling victory over No. 7 B.U. could not carry the Harvard women's lacrosse team over Penn as the Crimson gave the Quakers a 13-8 victory on Saturday at Jordan field.

The Crimson's (5-4, 0-3 Ivy) game was spotted with missed catches and turnovers, including five turnovers caused by Quaker sophomore Crissy Book. Harvard defensive lapses also allowed Penn a six-goal scoring run in the first half.

Penn's (5-5. 2-2 Ivy) defense proved impenetrable. The Crimson often circled futilely around the fan, unable to move in on goal.

"We didn't work together as a team," said co-captain Megan Austin. "We never let up, but we couldn't sustain any momentum that we built."

The Crimson opened the half positively with a goal from sophomore Katie Shaughnessy just 1:06 into the game. But Penn's goal 36 seconds later was the beginning of a six-goal scoring run that would be the fatal stroke against Harvard.

"We were coming off of two really tough games," Austin said. "We've had a lot of emotion and a lot of mental toughness in the last two games, but we just weren't there mentally today."

The Quakers took advantage of the Crimson's wide defensive lapses while Harvard left Penn's defense untested for 20 valuable minutes of the first half. Passes from behind goal from Penn sophomore Alison Polk-Williams combined with two low corner shots past sophomore goalkeeper Nora Guyer propelled the Quakers to a large lead.

Quaker junior Traci Marabella shined in the midfield as well as in the fan with a free-position goal and another off of a high right shot from a crease-roll.