When the No. 9 Penn State women's soccer team looked at the upcoming 2006 Big Ten schedule, the Nittany Lions had one date highlighted on their calendars.
That day was yesterday, when Penn State (6-2-2, 2-0 Big Ten) received its chance for revenge against the Michigan squad (4-4-2, 0-1) responsible for the Lions' early departure from the 2005 Big Ten tournament.
The Lions got their much-anticipated victory in dominating fashion, winning 4-1 and extending their current win streak to five games.
Approaching the start of the 2006 Big Ten season, the Lions were eager for their next shot at the Wolverines.
"I think it is always a good competition with Michigan," Penn State head coach Paula Wilkins said. "They have one of the best records in the Big Ten against us and Debbie [Rademacher] is a very good coach. They seem to have a way to get our number, so we knew this was going to be an emotional game for us and wanted to do our job right."
After going 10-0 in Big Ten play in 2005, Michigan, who was the eighth seed in the tournament, eliminated Penn State, the first seed, in the first round. After playing to a 3-3 tie, Penn State lost on penalty kicks, one of only two games in the 2005 season that did not go in the record books as a win.
"We talked about [last year's loss] before the game," junior forward Aubrey Aden-Buie said. "That loss on penalty kicks was definitely still with us, and we wanted to come back and get revenge from last year."
With Michigan hoping to be the spoiler of Penn State's chances to retake the title, both teams brought strong emotions into this year's match-up. The result was a physical, intense 90 minutes. The game featured 16 fouls and one Michigan yellow card, and other close contact that the referee let slide.
With packed stands and one fan playing a cowbell, Jeffrey Field had the atmosphere of a Big Ten football game. When these two teams face off each year, the excitement both on the field and in the stands has made the Michigan-Penn State soccer match-up an inter-conference rivalry.
"I'm not sure how it was before we came, but as long as I've been here, it's a rivalry for sure," sophomore midfielder Allie Long said. "Last year we beat them in the Big Ten [season] but then in the Big Ten tournament we lost, so on our home field we take no prisoners."
Penn State has always taken pride in their dominance when playing at Jeffrey Field. Last year's loss was at Michigan's U-M Soccer Field, and the Lions were feeling confident in their chances to come out with a victory this year at Jeffrey.
"We're on Jeffrey Field," captain Ali Krieger said. "We don't lose on Jeffrey, especially in the Big Ten."
If the Lions were to face Michigan in the Big Ten tournament this year, they'd be pleased to know that the game would be held at Jeffrey Field -- and the Lions hope that, with some home field advantage, the 2006 outcome will be different.
