After posting only two shutouts in its first 10 games, the Penn State women's soccer team knew it had to improve its defense to compete in the Big Ten.

The defense had some frustrating efforts early in the season, including giving up a game-tying goal in the last four seconds against Michigan State. Since then, the Nittany Lions have held their opponents scoreless in three of their last four matchups. In a 2-0 win against Purdue last Friday, the defense only gave up one shot-on-goal. At Indiana on Sunday, Penn State only surrendered seven shots on goal in 110 minutes of play, ending with a 0-0 tie.

After struggling to find the right defensive combination, the back line has finally solidified.

"In practice we're focusing more, and we're just a lot more organized than we usually are," junior defender Denay Riley said. "Now we're starting to talk a lot. A lot of people back there don't really play [defense], but now we're starting to

get more comfortable since they've been there for almost a year."

After graduating first team All-Big Ten defender Lindsay Bach and All-America goalkeeper Erin McLeod the Lions knew they would have to fill holes, especially on the defense. After more early season injuries, it was difficult to find a consistent, organized lineup. Riley, an upper-class leader on the back line, missed four games with a sprained ankle she suffered in the second game of the season.

As the team shuffled around some players, other players found themselves changing roles. Senior midfielder Ali Krieger moved to defense this year after her All-America junior season at midfield. With freshman goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher in the lineup as well, it took some time for the defense to get used to playing together, which led to some early letdowns.

"Every year you have new things to deal with," senior defender Heather Tomko said. "Every year there are new players to come in, new players to leave with the seniors graduating, but I think we've done really well."

Now as the seventh week of the season draws to a close, the injured players have returned and the new faces have become more comfortable with their defensive roles.

"We've had a chance to play together more than just one game," Tomko said. "Before we had injuries. People were in and out and now we've kind of solidified a back four who had an opportunity to practice together and play together."

As the season has progressed, leadership from the back four has strengthened the young team. Riley, Krieger and Tomko have provided that sense of urgency for a team trying to climb back into first place.

Early in the season, head coach Paula Wilkins was frustrated with the disorganization in the back, now she is pleased with how far they've come.

"The back four hadn't been stable for a long time," Wilkins said. "Time has done well for them. We talked about not giving up goals and taking pride in that, and I'm glad they bought into that this weekend."