Think about an All-American in any sport, and you're likely to think about numbers. How many touchdowns did he throw for, or how many blocks and kills did she have?

Think about Penn State field hockey midfielder Amanda Eckert, who was named a first-team All-American last week, and numbers are just secondary. The senior captain's statistical line for the 2004 season is not exactly eye-catching, as she registered just one assist, and failed to find the back of the cage during the Nittany Lions' 10-10 campaign.

But there is no statistical category that can capture and quantify Eckert's contributions. Indeed, if the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) voters were to look only at the stat sheets when determining which players to select, Eckert would probably fall through the cracks, never garnering much recognition. That, by the way, would be quite all right with her, because she likes to deflect all personal achievements and honors onto her teammates.

Eckert's importance to the Lions can best be seen, not by looking at the energetic and friendly midfielder, but by looking at the other Penn State players on the field, and seeing how her presence and actions impact her teammates. Besides, that's just how she would want you to look at it.

"You can't really be an individual out there and get things done, so you really have to be a team player," Eckert said. "I feel like I'm a team player, and I'd hope that other people see me that way as well."

Coach Char Morett said this season that her "gem" of a leader played a key role in the on-field development and maturation of freshman midfielder Kiersten Wood, also from Lititz. If this is so, then Eckert did a good job, because Wood was recognized as the Big Ten's top freshman.

"Playing on the same line as Amanda this year was so helpful," Wood said. "She made my transition to college hockey much easier. Her skills and confidence on the field are so inspiring -- she's just an incredible player."

Never far behind a nifty move by Eckert would be the accurate pass, which more often than not seemed to elude defenders.

Though not the owner of a powerful shot, Eckert compensated by having just as much, if not more, heart than anyone else on the field.

After Lions goals, Eckert would consistently be among the first to excitedly rush to the scorer. Think New York Yankee captain Derek Jeter always being the first out of the dugout to exchange a fist-pound after a run is scored.

After losses, the Big Ten and Mideast Region first-teamer would be the first player to look past the doom and gloom of the defeat, and try to put a positive spin on the outcome. This, no doubt, was partially responsible for the mere handful of frowns following difficult losses to Iowa and North Carolina, just to name a few.

And speaking of a handful, Eckert played the last month of the season with a broken thumb. She still started in every game during that stretch, though, just as she did for all but two contests in her four-year career.

Even though numbers are secondary when talking about Eckert, they are still worth mentioning. Appropriately, however, the numbers are more about Penn State than they are about her.

Eckert's All-American selection marks the 20th consecutive season that a Lion has received such a distinction. That streak dates back to the days before Morett -- the program's only three-time All-American -- began her tenure as Penn State's head coach.

Eckert is Penn State's first athlete to be named an All-American this semester, and Penn State's first conference sportsmanship honoree this fall season.

It's understandable then, that it took Morett a moment to think up an answer in October when asked what she would miss about the friendly midfielder.

"We're going to miss her stick skills, and just her big brown eyes," Morett said, with a hint of a smile appearing.

As a Lion, Eckert seemed to leave a trail of positive feelings in her wake.