Stats is just the word stats spelled backwards.
They mean about as much as the previous statement. At least to Penn State women's soccer coach Paula Wilkins.
Continually she will tell you that numbers or streaks don't mean a darn thing to her, and it's true. For Wilkins it's all about the next game and that any amazing statistic or streak has no relevance in the outcome.
That's just the way that she runs her ship. And that's also the way that she has become one of the best collegiate soccer coaches in the country. Wilkins is in control of a team that just jumped up to No. 3 in the nation, just two away from the only number that she does care about; number one.
"What she's taught me is just the team chemistry," junior goalkeeper Erin McLeod said. "It's more about pride than numbers and just doing the best for the team and putting yourself second."
In her first three years at the helm she's come so close to that number that is cherished by every coach. In 2001 her Nittany Lions lost to No. 1 North Carolina in the NCAA tournament. In 2002 they made it to the College Cup, only to lose to Portland. Last season it was No. 2 UCLA who got in the way.
The Lions have not lost in 10 games, but that, along with the fact that Wilkins has won 68 games in 86 tries, or that she's never lost on Jeffrey Field, doesn't mean anything as another Big Ten weekend approaches.
Wilkins is great at getting her team to react the way she wants. In practice there is no doubt where the authority comes from. Stern when she needs to be, but you can always be sure that it won't be long before she is laughing along with her players.
The team knows what it has to do to meet Wilkins' standards and yet the pressure of defending six straight conference titles does not seem to bother anyone.
"It's really important to her that we actually play well," junior defender Natalie Jacobs said. "Its not so much the final score. She knows how to get a reaction out of us. Depending on what we need she gives us the push we need to get over the hump."
Wilkins is able to demand excellence and yet keep her team loose, and the results have been extraordinary.
"She keeps a positive environment here," Jacobs said. "Personally I don't feel a lot of pressure from her. I think there's a balance. She drives us but it's not too much."
Penn State has only outscored opponents 6-2 in the first half thus far. In the second half the Lions hold a 15-3 advantage in goals because they also hold the advantage in coaching.
Whether it is putting in a substitute at the right time, or deciding which goalie would make the team better, Wilkins' instincts have been uncanny.
Sure she's had some great players to use, but talent can only go so far. Wilkins has been able to analyze the type of team she has and mold it in a way that will be a force the entire season.
