That’s been the general attitude on the women’s field hockey team since they have remained undefeated in conference play, having beaten Ohio State (3-2), Indiana (4-3) and most recently Michigan (3-2, 2OT). Although the team had a shaky beginning early in the non-conference season, it has rebounded with a hot Big Ten start.

The team members will hope to keep their undefeated status as they travel to Penn State Saturday.

“We didn’t have the start that we wanted, but we’ve always known that our goal has been to win Big Tens,” said junior back Jenni Smith, who was also named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week. “And as soon as we started playing Big Tens, it has gone like we’ve planned. I think it’s worked out perfectly — we’ve got the ball in our court.”

To keep the ball rolling, Smith said, the team needs to give 100 percent in practice and keep the feeling of excitement alive.

“We’re becoming more confident,” junior forward Allie Ahern said. “Going into the season, we knew we were good and we had talent, but we lost seven (non-conference) games already. So we’re finally 3-0 at the Big Ten, and we know that we’re a good team.

“Tuesday we had a pump-up talk in the locker room with the coaches. Basically, we were saying that in order to go to the NCAA tournament, it’s really in our hands. Right now we have to win the rest of our Big Ten games and that’s possible as long as we push each other in practice and try as hard as we can.”

So until their next game, the team is focusing all their efforts on excellence in practice.

“You have to look back at the process,” Knull said. “It doesn’t matter if it’s cold and windy or warm and sunny, or if it’s is Penn State or Central Michigan — we’ve got to prepare and execute for every game coming up. The girls know they have to replicate that week in and week out.”