Two championship trophies.

An NCAA tournament Elite Eight appearance.

Sound familiar?

The accomplishments of the 2006 Penn State women's soccer team are not out of the ordinary compared to past years. The 2006 squad added a ninth straight Big Ten championship, continuing the second-longest championship streak in women's collegiate sports history. The Lions' NCAA tournament appearance was their twelfth straight, missing the cut only in 1994.

But even if this season looks, on paper, like any other, it was unique. Without record-setting superstars like former goal-scorers Tiffany Weimer and Christie Welsh, or, on the defensive end, former goalkeeper Erin McLeod, the 2006 squad may not have been as "talented" as past teams. However, with fewer superstars, the 2006 team accomplished more.

This year the Lions captured both the regular season championship and the Big Ten tournament championship, a feat only achieved three other times in team history. Not only is winning the "double" a challenge, but this year's victory came against steep odds. Playing without a travel partner, Penn State had a match every Friday and Sunday, facing teams that had a full week of rest. Rather than relying on a single player to lift them through the difficulties, team unity carried them through the obstacles of the regular season.

The team approached the Big Ten Tournament looking for its first championship since 2001. Last year's squad, which made it to the NCAA College Cup with Weimer and McLeod, didn't last beyond the first round in the Big Ten tournament. This year, Weimer-less and McLeod-less, the Lions came out on top.

However, the season was unique for other reasons. After starting the season unimpressively at 2-2-2, it appeared that this would be the year the Lions would finally fall from the top of the conference. However, appearances aside, this team wasn't weaker than previous years, it was just different.

"For the [2006] season, different people have stepped up each game," senior defender Heather Tomko said. "Last year, Tiffany [Weimer] scored the majority of our goals. That was just how last season went, not to say that other people didn't contribute. This year, a lot of different people have had the opportunity to step up and play different roles. Other people have just been stepping up and doing well."

The Lions didn't find success in one or two big stars, as they had in the past, but from team cohesion. Although far from breaking any scoring records, the team was just as dangerous as it was with its superstars. A quiet threat, Sarah Dwyer led the team with six assists on the season. Aubrey Aden-Buie's two-goal, two-assist performance in the Big Ten Tournament won her the tournament offensive MVP. Eleven different players scored for the Lions this year.

In less tangible ways, player attitudes reflected this commitment to the total team. An All-America midfielder in 2005, Ali Krieger selflessly moved to defense where she played the entire season. Although her scoring decreased from seven goals in 2005 to only two in 2006, the captain gave up the opportunity to bolster her personal stats to do what was necessary.

These examples of team dedication and selfless play made the 2006 team so successful. Even though the Lions cannot claim a spot in the College Cup this weekend, they can boast of an accomplishment that the record-setting 2005 squad cannot. This year, the Lions won the "double." These accomplishments -- the team accomplishments -- truly measure success. Even though they blend into the history books as just another Penn State team, the 2006 squad ranks up there as one of the best.