Like the Energizer bunny, the Penn State field hockey team just keeps going, and going, and going.

After a much-needed weekend of rest, the No. 19 Nittany Lions (8-7, 2-2 Big Ten) were right back on the practice field this week. The team is coming off a difficult 2-1 double-overtime loss to No. 15 Iowa (9-5, 4-0) on Friday, but coach Char Morett is pleased with how the team has responded.

"It was a heart-wrenching loss for all of us," Morett said. "It was such an empty feeling after the game. The players rested the entire weekend, and the practices were outstanding [this week]. They're always focused."

It's a good thing the team doesn't lose focus because it has no time to look back on the missed opportunity. A challenging schedule only gets tougher this weekend for the Lions. The team travels today to Northwestern to take on the Huskies (7-8, 1-3) at 4 p.m. and will stay in Illinois and take on No. 3 Duke (12-3) at 3 p.m. Saturday.

Apparently other Div. I coaches have noticed the strength of the Lions' opponents as well. Penn State remained No. 19 in the latest STX/NFHCA Division I National Coaches Poll following Friday's loss.

Instead of dwelling on the defeat, Morett is looking ahead to this weekend. And a possiblity at what a few big victories could mean for the team.

"I think it's a great opportunity for us, to beat a ranked opponent and a conference opponent," she said. "I think this is exactly what you want. As the coach, I fear nobody."

Defender Bekah Hostetler, one of the toughest members of the squad, is also upbeat as the team reaches the final stretch of the season.

But at the same time, she is not taking the recent setbacks lightly.

"It's definitely tough for everyone, it just stinks that we're losing these games," Hostetler said. "We stay optimistic and we know that we can beat these teams. But personally, it kills me. We play for Penn State, for pride and for our family."

Hostetler and the rest of the defense continue to play at an extremely high level, ranking first in the Big Ten in goals allowed. The team's troubles stem from its lack of offensive production. Penn State's offense is ranked last in scoring among all Big Ten teams.

"It's ironic," Morett said. "We've given up the least amount of goals in the conference but we also score the least. I think we need to be a little more aggressive with our numbers in the attacking end."

The coach wants to see more rebound attempts by her forwards, hoping they can pound away at opposing defenses. Hostetler said the team has worked on being more aggressive during practice by working on one-on-one drills.

With only four games left until the Big Ten Tournament, the Lions are hoping to gain some momentum during the final stretch.

A few breaks here or there and the team's record could be drastically different. But Morett isn't waiting for any lucky breaks.

"To get a break, we need to make the breaks ourselves," she said.