Two straight shutouts.

That's what the Penn State women's soccer team has achieved. Since losing to Michigan 4-0, Penn State has bounced back to win 3-0 over Michigan State and 1-0 over Maryland.

Goalie Amanda Brown has backstopped the Lions to two straight shutouts and three straight at home.

Brown wasn't tested often against the Terrapins last night. She only faced one shot in the first half and was tested with four in the second, coming up with four saves total for the game.

The majority of the first half of the game against Maryland was defensive, and despite Penn State's ten shots on net, the teams combined for eighteen fouls in the first 45 minutes.

Heidi Drummond, who was earlier stopped on a penalty kick, said that she was very proud of the defense.

The defense has been helping out Brown tremendously. The Lions consistently hustled back on defense to make sure

Maryland didn't get any shots toward Brown. In a few instances when Maryland had chances to get shots, Brown was out of position, but the defense was there to take care of business.

Joanna Lohman, who tallied Penn State's lone goal, said, "The defense played a great game, only allowing a few shots on goal."

The defense seems to turn it on at home as well. Penn State is riding a 16 game home winning streak including last night's win over the Terps.

The streak began on September 17th, 2001 with a win over James Madison.

The last home loss versus a non-conference opponent was in 1999.

Penn State women's soccer head coach Paula Wilkins said, "The defense won balls early and did a good job."

Maryland head coach Shannon Higgins-Cirovski agreed.

"Penn State is a quality team," Higgins-Cirovski said. "They put on a lot of pressure"

If the Lions' defense continues this dominant trend, it could be looking at some postseason action.