Penn State's women's soccer team has won the Big Ten regular season title seven straight times, so nobody should be surprised that the Nittany Lions have been picked by the Big Ten coaches to claim an eighth consecutive conference title.
Penn State has arguably the most talented team it has ever had. It starts with senior forward Tiffany Weimer, who has put herself light years ahead of every athlete in the conference, leading every offensive category except for assists; fellow senior forward Carmelina Moscato has the most dishes. With 12 goals through eight games, Weimer has the conference high.
But of course, soccer is a team sport, and collectively, Penn State statistically trounces most of the conference, scoring the most points, goals and assists.
And then they have the most important statistic of all: wins. Penn State hasn't lost yet, stringing together eight straight wins for the best start in school history. That quick start has given Penn State the No. 2 ranking in the nation, behind only storied North Carolina.
Unlike most non-conference games, those eight wins were not gimmes. Through those games, Penn State beat four ranked teams, including then No. 3 UCLA in SoCal.
"It gets more difficult each year because the Big Ten teams get stronger," she said. "Obviously, we're a target for other teams."
Wilkins' athletes have risen to all challenges this season. Only eight games into the season, several Lions have been on and off the injury list, especially the defense. Fifth-year senior defender and co-captain Lindsay Bach has battled a left ankle sprain, and defensive starter Natalie Jacobs is still recovering from a bone graft in her left knee. Several players have elevated their game, though. Freshman Allie Long has filled in well for Bach, and midfielder junior co-captain Ali Krieger has found ways to create opportunities, scoring four goals so far this season.
No team in the Big Ten can match Penn State in terms of talent. If the Lions can keep the momentum going through the very physical Big Ten season, an eighth straight regular season Big Ten crown is theirs for the taking.
