The No. 7 Penn State field hockey team had a successful weekend, completing its quest for eastern Pennsylvania domination in two games that seemed to be exact replicas of one another.

Char Morett's Nittany Lions crushed Lafayette and West Chester, 7-0 and 6-0, respectively, in what looked to be all-too-easy wins as they were out in front quickly being the team first to draw blood.

"We got them back on their heels early and that gave us a little bit of momentum," Morett said.

The blowout of the two Philly teams resulted in 13 goals, two more shutouts for goal keeper Megan Akstin and extended the Lions (9-1) streak to nine consecutive wins, their longest since 2000.

"I think it's definitely a product of our hard work and total team effort," senior captain Natalie Berrena said. "It was a big thing getting different people in there and showing off our defense."

As Lafayette and West Chester found out, Penn State continues to overpower its opponents' defense and spends most of the game in the opposing goalie's face. Penn State has outshot its opponents by more than half this season.

The Lions, who led 6-0 at halftime for both games, were able to rely on their immense depth for substitutes and improving game-day skills.

"[In these types of games] you can always improve your skills. [You do] not want to lose momentum or flow of the game," Morett said. "We didn't want them to race down the field and we did want to work on passing game. We could get players to play different positions and Molly Schriver and Ali Scola did a good job of playing the middle."

Berrena, who has scored in four different games this season, made her mark as she put Penn State up 2-0 early in the first half.

"There's 22 people on this team and I just happen to be the last person to touch the ball. It's all about total team effort," Berrena said.

Berrena remains as much as a threat in scoring as she does in assists. She tallied three assists and one goal against West Chester.

"She took a leadership role that was big for us," Morett said. "We had a little lull in the game and Nat Berrena stepped up."

Penn State continues the tradition of having an impenetrable defense, having only given up four goals in eight games and allowing Akstin to be at ease most of the time.

"I think a lot of it has to do with our possession," Morett said. "We have two safeties back there all the time just in case there is a breakaway. Jenn [Miller] and Molly [Schriver] have just been doing outstanding."

The Lions now have their first break of mid-week games in three weeks and plan to use the time wisely.

"At this stage, it's just gonna be maintaining the passing. We are gonna watch some tapes and take two days off," Morett said. "Three games a week has just been real rough on us. Just get rested is the goal."

Another one for the mantle

Morett, awarded with another Nittany Lion statue, was honored at the beginning of yesterday's game for her 300th win at Penn State with the Lions 5-0 win over Temple earlier this week.

Celeb sighting

Tim Curley, Penn State athletic director, was sighted during, his fifth cameo appearance at a home field hockey game.