The field hockey gods were trying to ensure the continuance of a Penn State losing streak against No. 15 Michigan State Saturday at Astroturf Field, but the resilient Nittany Lions overcame an early deficit and a repealed goal to break the slide with a 2-1 victory.

Things looked all too familiar when Spartan forward Jessica Miller stomped out the early swagger of the Lions (14-1, 4-0 Big Ten) when she dribbled to the center of the circle to score only 1:37 into the game on Saturday. Coming into the game, No. 6 Penn State had lost six straight to the Spartans.

"There was no sense of fear or panic," said fifth-year senior Molly Schriver. "We had confidence in our attack. You need one goal to win, anyway."

The Lions rallied back from the stunning second-minute goal by Michigan State to win their 14th straight game. The win ended the skid against the Spartans and added to the second longest winning streak in Penn State history, putting it in position to tie the record of 15 later this week.

All three Penn State captains, Bekah Hostettler, Natalie Berrena and Schriver were freshmen when the team began its slide against the Spartans.

"We definitely weren't going out losing," Schriver said. "Our mentality was that we'd go out winning. We'd do anything."

The Lions did not allow the early goal to crush their spirits. Penn State responded quickly when defender Sara Cahill passed from the left side of the circle into free space where forward Shaun Banta was waiting. Banta cut through two defenders, found room to shoot and scored the equalizer only 11 minutes after the Spartans goal.

The gods were still not satisfied with Penn State's efforts and decided to throw another block in the road to overcoming its losing streak in the second half.

With the game tied, referees called back a Penn State goal on a controversial call after a corner shot grazed the top of the wood panel, which indicates the 18 inch line in the goal. The referee in front of the play declared the goal valid, but the trail official, positioned behind the play, said the ball had gone above the 18 inch line before going into the net, which makes the corner shot illegal.

Penn State coach Char Morett and Michigan State coach Michele Madison met with the officials for a few minutes to determine what happened. When the conversation was over, a frustrated Morett left the conversation with her team still stuck in a deadlock.

Energized from the controversial call, Penn State responded minutes later when Sarah Cahill banged in a cross on a corner shot from Britney Long to put the Lions up for good.

"She's a feisty one," Hostetler said of Cahill, "As a defender, it's awesome to get to come up and score."

Cahill said Penn State has been playing a much more attack-oriented system this year, which has opened up scoring opportunities for the defense.

Morett said she was never nervous after the early goal because the Lions rarely have repeated breakdowns.

"A lot of teams fade in the second half, we seem to kick it up a notch," Morett said.