New head coach Paula Wilkins is quick to point out how essential Oleksiuk's job is to the team.

"She can keep us in games that we wouldn't otherwise be in and she adds to the defense as a whole," Wilkins said. "I cannot over-emphasize the role she plays."

While her statistics are impressive, Oleksiuk is quick to defer credit to those who work in front of her.

"I think the goalie statistics are reflective of the four players and goalkeeper," Oleksiuk said. "My position is difficult but I can only be as good as my defenders."

Four of Penn State's defenders, seniors Gillian Samuel, who has played with the Canadian National Team, Megan Mills, Bonnie Young and sophomore Leigh Hamilton have the experience to work in the complicated zone scheme the team employs. This style requires switching coverage and communication, for which the team often relies on the field generalship of team captain Mills.

The team is also looking at Young to provide a scoring punch, advancing with the offense. Last season she scored four goals and ranks third in school history for game winning goals with 10.

Still the main focus is goal prevention, not goal scoring, and their mentality contributes to their toughness.

"We don't kick the ball around the prettiest, but if you have the ball you're not going to score on us without going through a lot," Oleksiuk said. "It's the attitude of working hard, never giving up, not even giving up a lot of shots."

Wilkins is confident the defense can maintain the performance levels that have made Penn State a force on the national scene, with a No. 8 preseason ranking.

"The defense is doing great. . .actually the most organized we've had so early because they're all kind of older players," Wilkins said. "They are very solid, they actually know each other very well. . .it's probably going to be a key part of our team."