Sept. 19, 2013
By Matt Allibone, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - When the Penn State women's soccer team steps onto the grass at Jeffrey Field on Friday evening to take on Northwestern, they plan on being as excited and focused as they have been all season.
Not only are the Nittany Lions returning home after a three game road stretch, they will be opening their Big Ten schedule, as well.
With a 6-1-1 record and the momentum of a five game winning streak building their confidence, head coach Erica Walsh believes her team is in prime shape to start taking on their conference foes.
"I think we feel good coming off of two tough games this weekend," said Walsh. "This game starts our real season and we're hitting our stride."
The Lions will enter Friday night's match with a reputation for in-conference dominance, having gone 20-1-1 against Big Ten opponents over the past two seasons.
While Penn State has undergone their fair share of roster turnover since last season, the current group of Nittany Lions are determined to keep their control over their conference rivals intact.
"Nobody wants this to be the team that breaks the tradition," said senior forward Taylor Schram. "We want to follow in the footsteps of the players that came before us and make them proud."
The biggest key for continuing their success, according to Walsh, is shifting to a tougher mentality when playing in-conference.
Since the teams in the Big Ten know Penn State's style of play better than most, the Nittany Lions will have to be on top of their game, both physically and mentally, at all times.
"We've talked a lot about in-conference mentality this season," said Walsh. "At this point in the season we have higher expectations and we need to be more focused on the details."
With their next 11 games all taking place against teams in the Big Ten, it will be imperative for Walsh's squad to keep their mindset tough.
Not only will the rest of the conference be aware of the Lions recent success against them, they will be determined to knock them off.
"When we're playing against the Big Ten we have the biggest target on our backs," said Schram. "Our opponents are out (to beat us) every week in the Big Ten, but we're always ready."
Another aspect that Schram and her teammates will be on the lookout for is the physicality that comes with playing within the Big Ten.
Staying tough should not be a problem though, as playing grind-it-out soccer is something that the Nittany Lions relish doing.
"When you're playing against a Big Ten team you have to win the soccer game and the physical game," said junior defender Whitney Church. "It takes a lot of preparation and grit but we do those things well."
Although veterans like Church and Schram are accustomed to the gritty style of Big Ten soccer, it will be a new challenge for the younger players on the squad, such as freshmen defender Salina Williford.
Williford, who is one of two freshmen currently starting along with fellow defender Brittany Basinger, said that she has been looking forward to playing the team's in-conference games since she committed to Penn State.
"I've been waiting for these games ever since I first came here," said Williford. "My team means the world to me and I want to keep this tradition of success going."
Not only do the Lions want to continue their Big Ten success to keep up tradition, they want to make sure they have sent a message to the other 12 schools by the time the Big Ten Tournament rolls around.
"I think it's extremely important to get the details on how these teams play tucked away now," said Church. "That'll give us a good feeling in the tournament and help our confidence."
Creating more excitement for the Nittany Lions is the atmosphere and the energy that comes naturally when playing in the Big Ten.
The Blue and White are used to playing in front of the lively crowd that Jeffrey Field generates, and they know the excitement will increase when they face their conference rivals, whether it is home or away.
"All of the Big Ten teams have great crowds," said Church. "No matter where we go the fans are awesome and the environment is great."