No one embodies the attitude of this year's Penn State women's soccer team more than senior midfielder/defender Sarah Dwyer.

The Lions are an injury-ridden squad, despite being only six games into the young season. They have featured five different starting lineups so far. Head coach Paula Wilkins has been trying to find the right mix of players, but also acknowledges that the variety is compensation for numerous injuries.

Dwyer, normally a utility player, has been one of the major players filling in those holes. Playing three different positions so far this year, she has accepted her role willingly.

"She's a good example for the entire team to be flexible and her willingness to play other positions on the team," Wilkins said.

Even though she hasn't found a permanent home on the field, she doesn't find the shuffle distracting.

"It's not really different for me," Dwyer said. "I'm used to it. I just go where they need me to go."

To open the season, Dwyer had two assists, one each in the UCLA and Tennessee games, during the Penn State Invitational tournament. She was named to the Soccer America Team of the Week and the Soccer Buzz Elite Team of the Week.

After early injuries to center defenders Denay Riley and Jean Rettig, Dwyer spent time as a center and outside back. Dwyer splits time between the defense, where she played most often last year, and the midfield, often switching positions within the same game.

Wilkins said Dwyer's fitness and toughness made her an ideal candidate to fill in the vacant positions in the back and midfield.

"She's able to run other teams into the ground and that's why we've been looking to get her on the outside," Wilkins said. "Obviously, she's a great utility player."

In addition to injuries on defense, the midfield has had its share, too. Sophomore Zoe Bouchelle, the Lions' top returning scorer, has not played all season due to an injury. All American-midfielder Ali Krieger has also changed roles, moving from the already depleted midfield for the back line. She, too, has accepted her change of position eagerly.

"With our injuries to Denay and Jean, I'm willing to step up in that position and take care of business there," said Krieger, "We have midfielders and great backs on our team that can play anywhere in the field."

Dwyer said that the Lions still need to come together as a team, and the willingness of the players to step up and fill in any role will help that process. On a team devoid of individual go-to players, finding the right mix is key to the Lions' success.

"We're a little strapped with some injuries right now," Wilkins said. "We've got to find some people who can play some different roles."

So far, the Lions have found two of those players in Dwyer and Krieger.