Mandy Robinson doesn't like her new position.

After playing four years at back for the No. 6 Penn State field hockey team, she's not adjusting well to her new spot.

The senior co-captain has spent the past three games standing on the sidelines, propped up by a set of crutches, watching the Lady Lions play on without her. A stress fracture in her hip has taken her out of the action for four to six weeks, meaning she will miss the remainder of the team's regular season as well as the Big Ten Tournament and some of the NCAA Tournament, should the team make it that far.

That scenario includes the game pitting Penn State (12-2, 2-0 Big Ten) against Northwestern (4-9, 1-2) at 4 p.m. today at Lakeside Field.

"I don't know what it is to sit on the sidelines," Robinson said. "In the leadership role I'm in, I feel like I need to be out there. It's killing me to have to sit out."

Robinson was injured in Penn State's game against then-No. 18 Michigan State. With Robinson out of the game, the Lions struggled and trailed the Spartans for most of the game but still managed to slip away with a 3-2 overtime win.

Penn State regrouped for the next game against Temple rolling to a 7-2 win with help from the bench. The Lions rumbled past their next three opponents, but notably, they have not faced a ranked opponent since Michigan State.

With the Lions opening up tremendous leads in the last four games, Penn State coach Char Morett had the luxury of experimenting with her lineups and has found what she considers to be a suitable replacement for Robinson in the tandem of backs Jill Martz and Kelly Concini.

Concini, a junior, has taken over most of the responsibilities of the center-back position and Morett said that she is adjusting well to the new role.

"I think Kelly has done a good job," Morett said. "This weekend she's going to be challenged against some speedy forwards and she's just going to have to play smart. Mandy had that experience, but Kelly is very skilled. You can see her skills on the field."

Concini, who has played in nine games this season, has started in Robinson's place for the last four and scored in the last two. But if Concini could have it her way, she said she would give up the position.

"I am just trying to do what my team needs me to do. I'd much rather have it the way it was," Concini said. "I'd give anything to trade places with Mandy and have her back on the field because it's not very fair what happened to her. But when that happens, there's not much you can do."

Although the duo has played well in Robinson's absence, Morett and Robinson both said they still need time to adjust to their new roles. The game against the Wildcats will be their last chance before the competition heats up again.

After facing Northwestern, the Lions will have a week to prepare for No. 5 Michigan — a team that will not only pose a challenge for Penn State during the regular season, but also in the postseason.

Morett, however, said she foresees problems if the team starts to look too far into the future. She said the Lions have had problems with Wildcats goalkeeper Jessica Yates and the entire team will need to be sharper than they have been in order to win.

But most of the players said they are confident the team can continue its success, even without Robinson in the lineup.

"Our team always sticks together, especially when someone is injured," Traci Anselmo said.

"Mandy is a huge part of the team so we absolutely miss her. But having Mandy on the sidelines, I can hear her voice all over the field. She's still helping us even though she's not playing."