There are the players that put up the big numbers, the ones that dominate all the headlines. And then there are those whose value will never be indicated on the scorecard.

But they are just as important -- if not more -- than the headliners.

For the Penn State field hockey team, one of those players is junior midfielder Kiersten Wood. She wears No. 1, and is the first name when lineups are called during home games. She doesn't lead the No. 6 team in the country in goals, assists or points. But she doesn't have to.

Last weekend, Wood did something she rarely does: She entered the spotlight. She left the Big Ten Tournament with two goals and an assist. She scored the first goal in the Nittany Lions 2-0 quarterfinal win against Northwestern. When Penn State rallied to take Michigan State into overtime in the semifinals, it was Wood who netted the game-winner.

"She was really strong, and obviously got some key goals in both games," Penn State coach Char Morett said. "They were winning goals in both games, but I think her knees started bothering her. Kiersten always plays with a lot of heart and competitiveness."

Wood has had ongoing knee problems for about a year now, but lately they have worsened. After three consecutive games, her knees felt "horrible," but it's nothing a little ice and ibuprofen can't cure, Wood said.

Wood comes from a family of field hockey players. Both her sisters played at the college level, one at played at perennial powerhouse Wake Forest. Wood came to Penn State and showed Morett enough talent to garner a starting position. As a freshman she started in all 19 games, finishing with three goals and 11 points. Her play was good enough to win the Big Ten Freshman of the Year award.

In 2005 Wood's stats nearly doubled, landing her on the first-team All-Big Ten, All-Mideast Region, and All-America teams. This year, just like in years past, Wood continued to improve in play and numbers.

After many Penn State games, Morett usually points out a few players that she thought played exceptionally well. Wood's name comes up a lot, and it usually isn't because she scored a goal. As a midfielder, it's her responsibility to put Morett's words into motion when it comes to possession and crisp communication between the offense and defense.

"It's your job to distribute, open up the field and find your forwards," Wood said of her role. "You just need to be able to string passes together to support your forwards."

Her stellar play has once again placed her on the first-team All-Big Ten squad, and now on the All-Big Ten tournament team. The NCAA tournament is most likely the next step for Wood and the Lions.

Don't expect her to light up the scoreboard every time, just expect her to continue to be an essential playmaker on the field.

"She has the stick skills to break through and really get behind the lines," Morett said. "She is very good at being a threat out of the midfield, and that's become her strength. She's just an explosive player."