By Scott Traweek, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - It was a season marked by highs for the 2011 Penn State women's soccer team.

The Nittany Lions dominated the Big Ten with an impressive 10-1-0 record during the regular season on their way to winning an unprecedented 14th-consecutive Big Ten Championship.  Penn State then proceeded to make a solid run in the NCAA tournament before falling to top-seeded Wake Forest (17-3-4) in the round of 16, finishing the season at 21-5-0.

Though the final result was less than ideal, head coach Erica Walsh called the season a success because of the steps the team made toward the ultimate goal of winning a national championship.  The players matured after a rough start and successfully broke through the second round barrier in the NCAA tournament that had plagued the Nittany Lions over the past couple of seasons.

"The reality is, the sweet 16 is great, but that's not our goal," said Walsh.  "I think we're proud of the steps we made this year, but it was just a stepping stone."

Penn State began its journey with a difficult test against then ranked No. 2 Stanford, a game in which the Cardinal imposed their will early on and dominated the youthful Lions, 4-0.  Stanford exploited the players' inexperience and taught them a valuable lesson - they needed to come together as a team and develop an identity if they wanted to compete on the national level.

"I think we went into that game not really knowing exactly the way we were going to play and it showed," reflected coach Walsh.  "You can't have indecision facing Stanford."

The loss against Stanford in the first game of the season marked a turning point for the Nittany Lions.  The players' determination to prove that they could compete with the best in the country accompanied by a relentless work ethic fostered by their coaches epitomized the team's attitude both in practice and on the field.

Penn State continued it's challenging pre-Big Ten schedule routing previously ranked No. 17 West Virginia, 5-0, followed by downing seventh-ranked Virginia, 3-2.  Sophomore forward Maya Hayes established herself as an elite attacker, scoring four goals between the two games with an assist against the Cavaliers, escorted by her cheerful fellow sophomore forward Taylor Schram who assisted three of her scores.

The grueling matches against out of conference opponents proved to be crucial in preparing the Nittany Lions for Big Ten play and showing the players and coaches how they compare to the top teams in the nation.

"It keeps you grounded," commented coach Walsh on the tough out of conference schedule.  "We want to walk out of September feeling a) ready to tackle the Big Ten season and b) realizing exactly where we stand among the country's best."

The decision to brave a tumultuous out of conference itinerary proved to be the right call.  Penn State, after dropping the Big Ten opener against Wisconsin, 1-0, flew through the remaining conference schedule winning ten straight games and finishing the season with a flawless 9-0-0 record on their home turf.  Led by an unwavering senior class dedicated to defining their legacy and carrying on the Nittany Lion tradition, the team took home its record breaking 14th-straight Big Ten title.

"That's one thing that our seniors really instilled in our team is this is a privilege every day to play for this program and it's a privilege to play at Jeffrey in front of those fans," said Walsh.

Although the Nittany Lions entered the conference tournament the favorite to win the championship, they fell, 2-1, in overtime against Illinois in the finals.  Nevertheless, the players took yet another negative and turned it into a reason to up their level, to train even harder.

The week of practice following the Big Ten tournament was the best the team had all year.  Once again, the seniors came forward and inspired their teammates, daring them to step up to the challenge. 

"I just think it was a really special formula in this senior class," said Walsh.  "To me, championship teams are built out of great players stepping up and achieving greatness, but you've got your nucleus and your core that drives you every day and our senior class was our nucleus and our core."

Heading into the NCAA Tournament, the players were confident and their desire was as strong as ever.  Penn State dominated a proven Army defense in the first round, 1-0, out-shooting the Black Knights, 29-3.  They continued the momentum into the second round, cruising past Marquette, 4-1, and securing their spot in the final 16 at top-seeded Wake Forest.

By the time Penn State reached the third round, injuries had taken their toll.  Taylor Schram was unavailable for the game against the Demon Deacons and key starters junior midfielder Maddy Evans and freshman midfielder Emily Hurd were forced to play hurt.  After going up 1-0 early, the Nittany Lions fell into a 4-1-deficit midway through the second half.  Despite the score, the players refused to give in, pouring on shot after shot only to come up short in the end, 4-2, after a goal by Maya Hayes in the 83rd minute, her second of the game.

As coach Walsh reflected on the tournament and the season in general, she saw promise.  Her team was merely a few steps away from their true goal, a national championship, and with the right mindset, that goal was attainable.

"What I hope that the 2011 season accomplished for our team is to get them to understand that it's achievable and that if they believe it, if they truly believe it in their heart, that they can achieve it," said Walsh.

Looking ahead to the 2012 season, the Nittany Lions are losing a top-of-the-line senior class that embodied the team's confidence and energetic personality.  Each senior contributed to the team as a whole in her own way both on and off the field.  Their leadership was invaluable and replacing them will be no easy task.  Coach Walsh was quick to note junior defender Lexi Marton as a candidate to step into the leadership role.

"She's got all the pieces to be a great leader," said Walsh.

On the other side, Penn State returns the vast majority of its players including its feature trio on offense, Hayes, Schram, and junior midfielder Christine Nairn.  Hayes is coming off of a phenomenal season where she put up record-setting and league-leading numbers in goals (31) and points (70).

Coach Walsh has high hopes for next season and is not afraid to set a goal her players will have to strive to achieve, seeking a number one seed in the NCAA Tournament.  After going undefeated on Jeffrey Field this season, playing at home would prove to be a decisive advantage.

"My biggest goal for the 2012 team is to be a one seed going into that NCAA Tournament," said Walsh.  "Let's play at home on Jeffrey Field in front of our home fans.  I'll take anyone on any day under any conditions on Jeffrey Field."

Her message to the players going into the offseason was simple: If they want to win the grand prize, then they must be willing to work for it.

"Their expectations for the fall should be set on their desire to improve in the offseason.  Everybody wants to win the big one, but do you want to put the work in?"

The Nittany Lions remain a young team and their bench players have proven themselves time and time again.  With this year's experience comes a veteran squad going into next season.  The stage is set and the future looks promising.