If you want to be recognized as a good team, you have to beat lesser opponents.

Stomp all over 'em, never let them into the game, then send in the bench to run out the clock.

As a good team, Penn State women's soccer has spent the last two weeks ravaging docile opponents and giving reserves valuable minutes, all the while padding their record to 5-2 with a 1-0 Big Ten mark.

This weekend the No. 8 Nittany Lions will put their 20-game conference-winning streak on the line in the first of seven contests against Big Ten opponents that will go a long way in determining if the team can win a fourth consecutive Big Ten title.

Tonight, the team pulls into West Lafayette, Ind. to battle Purdue (4-3, 1-1 Big Ten). On Sunday, the Lions will head Northwest to take on a surprisingly dangerous Indiana (4-1-1, 1-0-1 Big Ten) squad that toppled No. 23 Wisconsin on Sunday. Indiana is currently ranked third in the Big Ten, just behind Penn State.

Purdue, who lost to Northwestern on a last second goal Sunday, has most of its firepower supplied by forward Courtney Coppedge and midfielder Lauren Sesselman, who have combined for eight of Purdue's 13 goals this season. Boilermaker coach Robert Klatte enjoys the production his dynamic duo has provided but is quick to stress their role within the whole.

"Those two play well together and create opportunities for each other," Klatte said. "But we have other players that get opportunities and we have a good team effort."

Klatte is particularly pleased with the Sesselman's output. The team knew the freshman would be good but not this early.

"She came in preseason and improved herself to secure playing time," Klatte said.

When the Lions arrive in Bloomington Sunday, they will be facing a stingy Indiana team that has only allowed six goals in as many games. Protecting the net is goalkeeper Shaunna Daugherty who leads the Big Ten with a 0.46 goals against average.

However, the Hoosiers, who square off against Ohio State tonight, have scored a paltry six goals as well. Leading this meager offense is freshman midfielder Kim Grodek, with three goals.

Penn State will not be changing their style of attack in preparation for Indiana's well-fortified defense.

"We're going to test the water first before making adjustments," Penn State coach Paula Wilkins said. "We'll try to make them adjust to us."

One concern of Wilkins is that her team could suffer a let down in their return to facing tough competition.

"That's going to be a major focus for the Purdue game," Wilkins said. "They need to focus on the Big Ten, especially games on the road. . .We need to set the standard for the game early to be successful."