Usually under the radar and unrecognized, the players are becoming a little more known in Philadelphia - and in lacrosse circles - as they embark on the school's first Final Four appearance.
"I live in Old City, and I get stopped a lot now, which is pretty funny," Penn coach Karin Brower said. "People will say, 'Wow, that's great about lacrosse.' These girls go out to eat and someone stops them. It is a great story."
The Quakers lost only one game this season, and now they have a shot at revenge. They will face Northwestern - which beat Penn, 13-4, on March 9 - at Franklin Field.
"There's an advantage in having seen them earlier in the season," said senior captain Chrissy Muller, who graduated from Mount St. Joseph Academy. "I think we've really improved since then. Our chemistry is on. We have more experience and more confidence."
For those just learning about Penn, it's a Cinderella story. But the Quakers have felt like queens in the making for quite some time.
After losing to Northwestern in their fourth game of the season, the Quakers have ripped off 13 straight wins - a program record. In late March, Penn beat No. 12 Johns Hopkins, 12-4.
That victory provided a shot of confidence.
They got another when they beat Maryland in the quarterfinals by overcoming an early four-goal deficit for the 9-7 win.
The Quakers boast a strong defense, which held the Terrapins to their second-lowest goal total of the season. They have allowed only 6.29 goals per game, which is second best in the nation.
Penn likes to pressure the ball and extends its defense before allowing opposing attackers into their territory.
Goalkeeper Sarah Waxman, a junior, has a 6.15 goals-against average this season. But Northwestern is famed for its stingy defense.
Wildcats goalie Morgan Lathrop led the nation, allowing just 5.74 goals per game.
