After previous disappointing losses in Big Ten tournament play, the Penn State women's soccer team took an uncommon step forward last night.

In the first round of the Big Ten tournament, Penn State (13-4-3, 9-1-1 Big Ten) defeated Northwestern, 3-2, last night at Jeffrey Field. With the win, the Nittany Lions move onto the semifinal round for the first time in two years, playing Michigan (9-6-5, 5-3-3) tomorrow at 7:30 p.m.

Last year the Lions had an early exit from the tournament after losing to Michigan in a penalty kick shootout in the first round. Despite winning nine consecutive regular season titles, the Lions have not won the tournament since 2001.

After the victory last night, head coach Paula Wilkins was relieved that her team had made it over the first hurdle in tournament play.

"We had to make some adjustments to win the game and that is the most important thing in the postseason: winning the game and getting the result," Wilkins said. "We got more numbers behind the ball and sort of shut down a little bit of Northwestern's stuff. It is important just to advance on and be able to play another day at Jeffrey."

Despite their record, Northwestern (8-10-2, 4-6-1) has been a formidable opponent for the Lions this year. Only 10 minutes into the game, Penn State took a 2-0 lead behind the goals of junior forward, and first team All-Big Ten selection, Aubrey Aden-Buie and freshman Ashley Myers, only to see Northwestern tie the game 20 minutes later.

"We kind of got a little disorganized from the two goals that happened and we were in a panic mode," senior defender Ali Krieger said. "Our communication wasn't as good as it was in the beginning of the game, so we had to turn our focus on the communication a little more, and just get reorganized as a group in the back."

Another goal by Aden-Buie put the Lions in the lead before halftime, and that is where they stayed.

Tomorrow night, the Lions get a chance to avenge last year's loss to Michigan. The Lions easily handled the Wolverines in the regular season, winning 3-1 at Jeffrey Field. With confidence from an 11-year Big Ten home win streak, the Lions hope that the results will be much different against Michigan in the tournament.

In addition to the home field advantage, the Lions played every Friday and Sunday during the season, so they will be prepared to play with a short recovery time.

"Since we didn't have a travel partner, we've been able to play back-to-back games and other teams have had a full week of rest," Krieger said. "We have an advantage. We're ready."