When other Big Ten women's soccer teams look at the Penn State roster, they might feel relieved when they don't see a big-time goal scorer. But not so fast.

Attempting to win their ninth straight Big Ten title, the Nittany Lions will take a more team-orientated approach to scoring. Traditionally, Penn State has found its success by relying on individual playmakers, the likes of Big Ten all-time leading scorer Tiffany Weimer and the 2001 Hermann Trophy Winner, Christie Welsh. This year, the roster contains no such names.

"We're a different team this year," said sophomore midfielder Allie Long. "We're gonna have to figure out a different way to win because last year we were so good... but I think we'll be fine."

At first glance, having no dangerous forward is a weakness on offense. However, the Lions have adapted their game plan to complement their personnel--and despite their record (4-2-2), they've done it.

"They keep reloading once someone goes," Michigan State women's soccer head coach Tom Saxton said. "It seems like once they lose someone, somebody else follows in her footsteps. I don't think any of my colleagues in the Big Ten think Penn State won't still be a very dangerous team."

Eight games into the season, the Lions have not been shut out once, outscoring the opposition 13-9. They have managed to take 152 total shots, 50 more than their opponents.

The Lions are also doing an adequate job spreading the ball around. Seven different players have scored this year, and players on the defensive side of the ball have stepped into offensive roles. The return of freshman midfielder/defender Akilah Duggan, who scored two goals on her first two shots this year, and Long, who was named to the Big Ten All-freshman team last year, should spark the offense. As more players return from injuries, it will only bolster offensive production.

"We would consider [Penn State] an offensive threat," Michigan women's soccer head coach Debbie Rademacher said. "They have Allie Long, Sheree Gray, and new players we don't know about. There's a lot of people to look out for."

Looking at the team's record, it might be hard to feel optimistic about the team's chances to win another title after the loss of such a prolific scorer like Weimer.

At the Harvard Invitational last weekend, the Lions' offense scored five goals, winning back-to-back games for the first time this season.

"[The offense] is a little bit slow, to be honest," Penn State head coach Paula Wilkins said. "I think the injuries in the midfield have hurt us a bit. Hopefully the little curve that we'll have coming from the Harvard weekend is gonna help us out. We definitely have the talent and the ability to [be the top team in the Big Ten]."

Even though the offensive production has been good -- though not quite ideal -- the problems have not necessarily been offensive-based. Wilkins said a lack of focus and poor defensive organization were the reasons for the team's loss to West Virginia. The offense has been the bright spot and has kept them close in games after falling behind early.

As the players get more comfortable working with each other, the offense can only improve when the Big Ten season opens Friday. This offense has potential to achieve as a unit what Weimer achieved as an individual. The potential is there.