With their sights set on their first Big Ten win, the Penn State Nittany Lions came out against Northwestern with unparalleled focus and determination. It was a night of career highs for senior Kiley Kulina, junior Jill Martz and senior Kelly Concini that propelled the Lions to a 5-1 romp of Northwestern.

With the win, the Lions not only get their first Big Ten win, but they also have won three games in a row and improve to 7-6 overall, the first time this season they have been over .500.

"The theme of the game was firsts," Lions coach Char Morett said. "Let's get our first Big Ten win. Let's try to bury a team. Let's try to get our first winning record of the season."

Kulina has made her presence felt during the winning streak, contributing a goal in Penn State's upset win over Princeton.

Friday, she helped the Lions jump out in front early, scoring two of Penn State's first three goals. With another goal in the second half, she recorded her first career hat trick.

"Kiley's play was very good," Morett said. "The entire corner unit with Kelly Concini, Jill Martz and Kiley executed corners right on goal."

Kulina said that it felt great to score but it was because of a team effort.

"I wouldn't have had those shots if our team didn't get a corner and if I didn't have Jill stick-stopping for me and if I didn't have Kelly having a good push-out," Kulina said.

Martz assisted Kulina on all three of her goals. Three assists is a career high for Martz, breaking her former mark of two, set against Northwestern last year.

"I think that we're executing our corners well," Martz said. "We really stepped it up."

Concini also made an impact with a goal and career highs in assists (two) and points (four).

During the winning streak, the Lions have been able to put two good halves together, something they have struggled to do consistently this year.

"What we've been trying to work hard at is trying to have a strong start, and just trying to get the other team back on its heels," Morett said. "There's been a big difference in our decision making. We've not only been playing with strong skills but playing with our heads and making good decisions."

Kulina said one of Penn State's goals is to come out ready in the first half.

"These past three games, we've been coming out ready to go in the first five minutes," she said.

"I think we're playing with confidence now. Everything is kind of just flowing right now and I think that's really helping us out."

Coach Morett also noted improvement in the team's confidence.

"I think we've benefited from the challenges we've had," she said. "This team has begun to come together and believe in themselves. We were so inexperienced when the team started and we're experienced now."