Even Ali Krieger, in her fourth year at Penn State, didn't see this one coming.

Before the opening round of the Big Ten Tournament last Thursday, the All-America senior captain of the Penn State women's soccer team was notified by head coach Paula Wilkins that she had been named the Big Ten's Co-Defensive Player of the Year along with Emily Zurrer of Illinois.

The announcement came as a shock to Krieger, who was recruited more for her offensive prowess than defensive ability.

"It was a huge surprise," she said. "Obviously, it is a great honor and I'll accept it with open arms -- and cheers to my team for helping me win it -- but I didn't expect it.

"I kind of laughed about it when [Wilkins] mentioned it to me just because I wasn't a defender coming into this program."

Krieger, who ended last weekend by being chosen as the Big Ten Tournament Defensive MVP, wasn't even a defender coming into this season. Despite possessing uncanny all-around skills, she had earned numerous accolades in her first three years for her performance as a midfielder.

Back in 2003, Krieger was the only freshman starter for the Lions' team that reached the quarterfinals of the NCAA tournament. With nine assists, two in the national tournament, she was named the conference's Rookie of the Year.

The Dumfries, Va., native followed her successful freshman season with back-to-back first-team All-Big Ten selections in her sophomore and junior years. Last season, she was also named team co-captain and was crucial in Penn State's run to the College Cup.

Her past successes, and a healthy recovery from a broken leg suffered late last year, left Krieger with lofty expectations to fill as her final season approached. Amongst numerous preseason honors, she was added to the watch list for the M.A.C. Hermann Trophy, an award given to the nation's top collegiate soccer player.

Then, the shake-up occurred.

Due to a rash of injuries, Wilkins decided to move Krieger from her familiar spot in the midfield to the back in order to mend a decimated defense.

The move wasn't as drastic as turning Tiffany Weimer into a defender would be, but it certainly altered the complex of the team. At the time, Krieger handled the position change with optimism and confidence.

"With the injuries, I'm willing to step up in that position and take care of business," she said in early September. "We have great midfielders and backs on our team that I can play anywhere in the field."

The move paid off as Krieger headlined as the star of one of the conference's top defenses.

"That is the sign of a player who is a team player," Wilkins said. "Her sacrifice has made our team better."

As a leader, she spurred Penn State to both the Big Ten's regular-season and tournament titles.

As a defender, however, she received fewer scoring opportunities than she would have had she remained in the midfield. Her numbers, although respectable, have hindered her chances of becoming the second Hermann trophy winner in school history (Christie Welsh in 2001).

Krieger could care less.

"I'll do anything to fight for this team. I'll do whatever I can," she said.

That fact has not been lost on her teammates.

Senior defender Heather Tomko, who has also been solid defensively, believes Krieger is a "natural leader" and has enjoyed playing alongside her in their final year.

"People follow her. [Krieger] leads by example in everything that she does, on and off the field," she said.

"I think people look to that and see that she is a senior, she leads by example, let's follow her and do what she's doing."

No matter what happens, Krieger, Tomko and three other seniors have, at most, six games remaining in their college careers.

And if they are to punctuate their already shimmering legacies with the program's first national championship, Krieger's skills and intangibles will be vital.

"Leading into the NCAA [tournament], if she gets her commitment across to the whole team," Wilkins said, "we are going to be in good shape."