They say timing is everything.

The proverb couldn't have been more applicable than on Sunday when Penn State's senior defender Janelle Hoak, starting for the first time this season, scored her first career goal on Senior Day.

The goal came just six-and-a-half minutes into the first half when the ball bounced off a defender and straight to Hoak, who immediately slapped the ball in the net for the first goal and the eventual game winner against Navy.

Initially, Hoak said scoring her first goal was not something that had been on her mind for the past four years.

"It didn't bother me not having any goals," she said.

However, just minutes later, she changed her mind.

"Well, actually it was a relief," Hoak said.

"I was actually kind of worried because my parents, the last thing they said to me when we were on the field after the ceremony was like, 'Score me a goal,' and then it happened. That was pretty awesome."

For the season, Hoak has one goal on four shots and one assist.

Despite the low numbers, she has been an invaluable part of the team, often coming off the bench to provide relief for the starters as well as to provide a defensive pick-me-up when needed.

And when her name has made the rare visit to the points column, it has not been meaningless.

In addition to Sunday's game-winning goal, her lone assist set up freshman defender Allie Long's game-winning goal against James Madison in September.

Senior forward Tiffany Weimer, despite scoring her 25th goal of the season, was more than happy to direct praise to someone else for a change of pace.

"Janelle getting her first goal -- the winning goal -- it's seriously one of the best feelings ever," she said.

All year long, the entire Penn State team has stressed the importance of everybody on the team, no matter how small each contribution may be.

"I've said all along it's taken an entire team to do this successfully," Penn State women's soccer coach Paula Wilkins said after the win against Navy. "That showed today. We played a lot of players. We all have a part of the success that we've had."

Earlier this season, Wilkins said 16 players on the team deserved to start for the Nittany Lions, but as the rules say, only 11 names get inked into the starting roster.

On Sunday, junior co-captain and midfielder Ali Krieger echoed those sentiments.

"Everyone deserves a spot on this team," she said.

But Hoak, like everyone else on the team, could really care less about any kind of personal accolades.

She'd rather just be on the field with her teammates.

"Just being in the game was special," she said with a smile. "Scoring a goal was extra special."