Coming off a ninth straight Big Ten title, the No.9 women's soccer team had only one objective in mind to finish off the regular season -- ending Navy's undefeated season.

However, that was not the case last night in Annapolis, Md., as the Nittany Lions fell to the No. 14 Midshipmen 1-0.

The fist half featured numerous shots and many opportunities for both teams to score. The Lions remained tough, showing Navy why they are ranked ninth in the nation, and won another Big Ten conference title.

Playing on their home field, the Midshipmen demonstrated exactly how they were 18-0-0 coming into the game, fending off close calls that could have put the Lions in the lead going into halftime. One of Penn State's best opportunities came when sophomore Ashley Myers sent a shot off the cross bar in the 15th minute.

The second half began with more tough soccer, with the Lions continuing their late season streak of strong defensive play. However, Navy forward Kristen Laraway finally broke the tie in the 79th. Laraway's third score of the season, a mid-ranged shot from the right corner, came assisted from Molly Burd.

"We started cheating in the midfield and not getting back into a good defensive position," head coach Paula Wilkins said. "We got exposed."

The Lions, however, were able to mount some surges after the Midshipmen found a way to put a ball past Penn State goalie Alyssa Naeher.

Forward Aubrey Aden-Buie and midfielder Allie Long each had shots in the closing minutes of the contest, but each were handled by a Navy team playing at the top of its game.

"They outworked us, they worked really hard on transitions both offensively and defensively," Wilkins said. "[Navy] did a good job tonight."

Even though the Midshipmen were the favorites in the game according to Wilkins, losing to a lower ranked team was not how the Lions wanted finish the season in preparation for the approaching Big Ten tournament.

The loss on the road marks the first time Navy has beaten Penn State. In each of the previous three matches, the Lions have come out with the victory. Last year's meeting was a 5-0 Lions rout.

While an unprecedented ninth Big Ten crown was the ideal way to end the season at home, the loss to Navy away from Jeffrey Field is going to serve as a motivational factor for preparing for the soccer post-season.

Even with a less-than-familiar way to cap a regular season, the Lions will have their almost unbeatable home field advantage to look forward on the first weekend in November.

"I hope [the loss] focuses us and makes us more passionate," Wilkins said. "I hope it motivates us and we can use to do well in the [Big Ten] tournament. You're only as good as your last game. Our goals for the post season are still there, we just have to refocus in practice and prepare for the first Big Ten game."