This is especially irksome given that Penn State is ranked seventh in the NSCAA/adidas poll while Connecticut finished 13th. One reason for Penn State's high national ranking is its capturing of a conference crown, the Big Ten Tournament title, a feat the Huskies could not duplicate, as they lost to West Virginia in the semifinals of the Big East Tournament.
According to Penn State coach Paula Wilkins, one reason for this discrepancy is a weak year by the Big Ten, in which Michigan and Illinois were the only other teams to qualify for postseason play.
That is not to say the Huskies are not entirely undeserving of a high seed, as they defeated Notre Dame, a seven seed in the tournament who unexpectedly lost to Cincinnati in the second round, earlier in the season.
However, the Lions are fully aware of how quickly one win can wipe away any rating and send the team to the quarterfinals for the fourth consecutive year.
"(There is) Some desire by the team to show where we sort of belong in the country," Wilkins said, a statement which forwards Christie Welsh, Heidi Drummond and goalkeeper Emily Oleksiuk all agreed to.
Another issue facing the Lions is having to hit the road after having playing their first two games at home on Jeffrey Field.
The team considers this an eventuality if it is to achieve its final goal. Also with nine wins away from Happy Valley, Penn State gives its faithful plenty of reasons to believe.
"There's nothing we can do about it, we just go and prove to everybody who didn't believe in us that we belong there," Welsh said. "It'll make us better."
