"I think we've finally started to tap into the depth I was hoping we'd have.
"We're seeing that (bench players) are able to come in and play when the starters are having trouble and we want to give them more experience so they can come in in any situation," Morett said.
In the past two games Penn State has played, the team has been caught up in some tight battles against teams hungry for a win, especially if it came at the expense of the No. 6 team in the NCAA.
The long overtime wins on the road against Syracuse and Michigan State have been emotionally uplifting for the Lions, but have also been physically taxing at the same time.
Morett gave the team three days off of practice so they could rest, but some players might need more time.
Morett said some of the top players have suffered injuries because of these long games and her top concern is seeing that they have the chance to heal before the critical games of the team's conference schedule.
The bench players have a key role in making that happen.
"We have a lot of depth and we're confident that some of the younger players can come in and help us out when we're down," senior forward Maegan Galie said.
"If they can come in and we have a chance to rest, that'd be great," Galie added.
Morett commended junior forward Kate Bender, senior middle/back Irene Kofroth and junior back Kelly Concini on their efforts in previous games this season.
The coach said the experience the three bench players received from the game situations they faced can only benefit the team. She added the coaching staff would like to get some other players in the games so they can get experience as well.
One young player who has earned about 50 percent of the game time this season is goalkeeper Annie Zinkavich.
The redshirt freshman came in to play during the first game of the season against Old Dominion when teammate Heidi Leuchte was having problems in the position.
Zinkavich now splits time in net with Leuchte and has gained some of the poise of a veteran goalie.
"I think I've been called on to be a leader a few times in the season especially in the Old Dominion game when I came in for Heidi," Zinkavich said.
"Yes, we lost that game, but I got some really good experience and now I'm able to communicate with the team better," she said.
Morett said that having two capable goalies on the team is a huge asset and can only prove more valuable as the season rolls on.
The next step for the Lions, which starts tonight, is expanding on the number of players who have that flexibility and can help out in any situation.
"If someone is having an off game, it's nice to know we can have someone come in and pick it up for us," Morett said.
"Not only do we have strong starters, we also have a really strong bench and it's nice to have that versatility," the coach said of her team.
