After eight straight Big Ten titles, it was no surprise the Penn State women's soccer team was named the preseason favorite by conference coaches. However, the Nittany Lions' journey to a ninth title won't be so easy.
After a tough non-conference schedule, the Lions won't get any rest when they begin Big Ten action this weekend. The other teams in the Big Ten will try to hold off a Penn State program that has had a strangle hold on the conference.
"Every game's gonna be a dogfight for us because we are the team with the target on our back from the last couple of years," head coach Paula Wilkins said.
The loss of key players from the Penn State team that went 10-0 in Big Ten play last year ,and several injuries sustained early this season, has left the team vulnerable in its quest for a ninth straight conference crown.
The Lions hope a recent three-game winning streak will give them focus entering Big Ten play after a rocky start. Their 4-2-2 beginning -- including the snapping of the team's 27-game unbeaten streak against Texas on Sept. 1 -- has created doubt as to whether the team is really the favorite to win the Big Ten.
"Right now, no. I'll be honest," Wilkins said when asked if she thinks Penn State is the best team in the Big Ten. "We need better organization in the back. I think we're giving up way too many goals. We're not getting enough numbers forward and finishing the chances that we have."
No matter what their record is, the Lions will be circled on every opposing team's calendar.
"We're very excited, we treat this as our second season," captain Ali Krieger said. "I think it's one of our biggest challenges this season. Since this is gonna be our ninth Big Ten championship, we have to be really focused and really be competitive. Every team hates us. They really want to beat us every single time."
Here's a look at the top teams that are hoping to steal the Big Ten title from the Lions:
Illinois (4-4), No. 19
The Illini will have to overcome the loss of two All-Americans and a very talented 2005 graduating class. However, their front line features the return of two leading scorers, Jessica Bayne and Eva Strickland. The trio of Bayne, Strickland and forward Ella Masar scored 16 of the team's 34 goals in 2005, and will bring a dangerous attack. Midfielder Paula Faherty, who will be playing for the first time since missing the 2005 season with a stress fracture, will bring strength to the offense. Sophomore defender Emily Zurrer received the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week award for scoring the game-winning goal against No. 17 Auburn on Sept 10. This squad can attack from all angles.
"Illinois, from what we saw at Texas and Texas A&M is gonna be very good," Wilkins said.
Purdue (7-1-2) No. 25
Head coach Rob Klatte, who led his team to a runner-up finish in 2005, should be grateful to see his team healthy for a change. With nine returning starters, the Boilermakers have not dwelled on the losses of graduated skill players Lauren Susselmann and Kim Comisar. Purdue boasts a solid core of seniors that are both talented and experienced. Mix in team depth that allows for numerous lineup possibilities, and this team could make some noise this season.
Ohio State (4-2-1)
The Buckeye squad, lead by head coach Lori Walker, beginning its Big Ten schedule against No. 25 Purdue this weekend. Ohio State has a 45-57-11 Big Ten record in 13 seasons. The team will rely on the leadership of a group of six seniors to move up through the Big Ten. With a tough schedule -- seven teams that played in the NCAA tournament last season -- Ohio State will also be reliant on its core of freshmen to step up. Key freshmen are Ashley Bowyer, Ali Schwach, Lauren Steuer and goalie Lauren Robertson who was just recently selected for SoccerBuzz.com's National Team of the Week.
"Ohio State is always a contender, and they play a very good schedule," Wilkins said.
Michigan State (4-3-1)
After reaching the NCAA tournament in 2005 for the second time in the past four seasons, the Spartans are a program on the rise. Last year they notched their fifth twelve-win season in 6 years and are looking to continue. Despite graduating three key offensive players who together amassed over 20 goals last season, freshman forward Lauren Hill has filled the void, scoring seven of the team's 11 goals in 2006. The defense features several returning players, which will serve as the core of the lineup. Junior goalkeeper Nicole Galas was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week this past Monday.
"We've been up and down," Michigan State head coach Tom Saxton said. "We thought we'd be defensively solid since we have lots of players coming back, and we've seen some very encouraging things from our players up top. We're a young team looking forward to a great opportunity to play at Penn State to start things off."
