There was a buzz of anticipation surrounding the Penn State softball team (18-12, 2-0 Big Ten) after its sweep of Kent State on Wednesday night.

During post-game interviews, coach and players, before being questioned about it, mentioned the Nittany Lions next opponent and a need for focus.

The team knows very well what lies ahead this weekend when the Lions travel to Evanston, Ill., for a 1 p.m. Sunday doubleheader against No. 7 Northwestern at Sharon J. Drysdale Field.

The series against the Wildcats -- the reigning Big Ten champs and 2006 national runners-up -- is the next obstacle in Penn State's path toward a Big Ten title.

And judging by the close games of the past three years -- Northwestern has won the last six games by a combined 12 runs -- this year's series should once again be tight.

Penn State assistant coach Jen McIntyre said after numerous close calls, the Lions are ready to offer some payback for three years of frustration.

"We're hungry and we're ready," McIntyre said. "[Two years ago], we were one strike away from getting them. So we're going in, we know we're the underdog, and we're ready to get after them."

Just because Northwestern (31-7, 6-1) is the favorite, doesn't mean the Wildcats are taking the Lions lightly. Northwestern head coach Kate Drohan called this weekend "pivotal" for her team and added that it's no surprise the Lions are in the hunt for the league title.

"Everybody knew . . . Penn State [was] going to be right there fighting for it in the Big Ten," Drohan said. "So this is going to be a big weekend for the conference race."

She also mentioned Penn State's momentum from the Lions' current seven-game winning streak as a concern for her team.

"They're certainly on a roll," Drohan said. "They've been hitting the ball really well and that's been a key for them."

Not to be outdone, the Wildcats are equally impressive with bats in their hands. Northwestern is tied with Penn State for second in the conference in batting, and the Wild cats have belted 51 long balls on the season compared to the Lions' 17.

Northwestern is led offensively by the thunder and lightning combination of senior first baseman Garland Cooper and sophomore shortstop Tammy Williams.

Williams, the speedster, leads the conference in batting average (.496), hits (65) and runs (53, 14 more than her nearest rival).

Cooper, the powerful veteran, is the muscle in the Wildcat lineup. She has distanced herself from the rest of the Big Ten with 50 RBIs and 16 homeruns, both by far conference bests.

Hoping to get the best of Cooper from the pitching circle, Penn State pitcher/first baseman Ashley Esparza said her team is ready for the challenge. She said the Lions know the importance of this series and are ready to make a statement to the Big Ten.

"We have got to go out and win this weekend," Esparza said. "They're No. 7 in the country right now and are really good offensively. They're very good and basically, if we don't beat them, it's not the end of the world, but getting a spilt would definitely be nice. And getting two, that would be awesome."