With three team's seasons already over, this weekend will put an end to some additional women's soccer teams 2002 campaigns.

Starting on Thursday, the top eight Big Ten teams will travel to East Lansing, Mich., to start play in the Big Ten tournament that has been won the last four years by the top two seeds in this years' tournament, Michigan and Penn State.

The No. 11 Nittany Lions (15-2-1, 9-1 Big Ten) have captured three of the last four titles with the lone loss coming in the 1999 final at the hands of the Wolverines.

Penn State women's soccer coach Paula Wilkins and many other Big Ten coaches have echoed the same sentiment, "any team can beat any team on any given day," which should make for a very interesting weekend os soccer competition.

Ohio State assistant coach John Lipsitz knows exactly what the Big Ten tournament is all about.

"Eight teams go in and believe that they can win it all," Lipsitz said. "Otherwise you don't go."

No. 2 Michigan (13-5-1, 7-2-1)

The Wolverines have been led all season by first-team All-Big Ten selection Abby Crumpton. She leads Michigan in every offensive category, and is tied atop the Big Ten in points scored at 30 with Hermann Trophy winner Christie Welsh.

Crumpton has tallied four game-winning goals as well as a hat trick to single-handedly beat Wisconsin. She has a supporting cast that has grabbed the attention of the Ohio State coaching staff.

"Michigan has so many weapons that it's tough to focus on a single person," Lipsitz said.

As important as Crumpton has been to the offense, Suzie Grech has been just valuable to the defense.

Grech has shut out opponents seven times, and has a goals against average of 0.86.

No. 3 Purdue (12-4-2, 6-3-1)

The Boilermakers dropped their season finale to Illinois on Sunday afternoon, which prevented them from pulling even with the Wolverines for the second seed. By virtue of the head-to-head tiebreaker, Purdue would have been the second seed had it won.

The strength of Purdue is its defense. Anchoring the defense is senior Joceyln Cavalier in the net. Cavalier has allowed only 10 goals in games and has posted eight shutouts. The Boilermakers' defense is very experienced and has made it difficult to attempt quality-scoring opportunities against Cavalier.

"She's had a very solid year," Indiana women's soccer coach Mick Lyon said. "She's a good shot-stopper and is dominant in the box."

No. 7 Ohio State (7-10-1, 4-5)

After having a superb freshman campaign when Lisa Grubb was tabbed Big Ten Freshman of the Year, she has found herself in a "sophomore slump."

Grubb scored 10 goals and had five assists last year, and her numbers have dropped to six goals and only two assists. Despite the lack of offense provided by Grubb, the entire Buckeyes team has struggled. Grubb remains tied for the team-lead in points and goals scored.

"Lisa has been watched more closely this season," Lipsitz said. "Everyone has been targeting her. She has had to rededicate herself and give twice the effort."