A year ago, the early season trend for the women's lacrosse team seemed to be 'Get Tami Worley the ball, let her score, and hopefully we'll win.'

With nine starters returning from last year's NCAA runner-up squad, scoring balance should come naturally, as it did in Sunday's 15-1 rout at Richmond. Sure, Worley led the team with six goals, but Mary Ann Foley added five of her own. Niki Staszesky netted two, and Diane Whipple and Karen Hoysted each added another to get the offense flowing early in the season. More goal scorers will have to emerge this weekend, however, when the Lady Lions (1-0) play host to James Madison (Sat., 1 p.m.) and Colgate (Sun., 1 p.m.).

"It's important that other teams know right off the bat that we don't have just one player that scores," Foley said. "(James Madison) is probably going to be so up for this game. We can't believe they beat us last year, and it won't happen again."

The Dukes edged Penn State last year, 6-5, in Harrisonburg, Va. They lost only three starters, but they were keys in JMU's 11-5 season.

"We don't like to talk about revenge," Coach Sue Scheetz said, "but I know the players want this game. (JMU) has nine returning starters, but they lost Diane Buch, Kim Stark and their goalie (Julie Jones). Last year they were very aggressive and with only three players gone, we expect the same."

James Madison's new goalie will be freshman Kelly Moran. Her youth and collegiate inexperience are minimal factors, considering one of her coaches is the goalie on the U.S. team.

"I think James Madison should be a good game," cover point Tracy Mass said. "Last year their goalie really kept them in the game, she played an excellent game. We had some bad breaks and some turnovers, but we still had an opportunity to win the game."

Tracy Schnappinger scored a hat trick last year to lead the Dukes to victory, and she is the leading returning scorer on the veteran squad. Information about JMU and its players is plentiful, but Colgate is another story.

As of yesterday, the team had received little if any information regarding the Lady Raiders, who were 5-7 last year. Their top returners are Sherri Krasnoo, an honorable mention All-American, and Judy Conry, a three-time regional All-American.

While the Lady Lions know they are hosting the games this weekend, they don't know where the games will be played. Lady Lion Field is still wet from the recent snow and rain, and the men's lacrosse team is hosting the Nittany Lion Indoor Invitational at Holuba Hall.

If field conditions are still poor at Lady Lion Field tomorrow, the games may be played on Pollock Field. If that is unavailable, the games will be held on the outdoor turf near Holuba Hall.

"We need a lot of wind to dry the field," Scheetz said. "We know (Colgate has) had some weather problems, so if we play on turf they'll be used to it." Colgate uses an indoor turf facility when the weather forces the team inside.

While the location of the games is one dilemma, Scheetz is also faced with another: who to play in the net.

Both Sue Sommers and Cheri McMonagle played a half at Richmond, and either is capable of handling the job of netminder. Sommers started in goal in each of the last two national championship games, while McMonagle has pressed her for starting duties since last year. She was the starter until Sommers walked-on in 1987.

"Every time one of them gets hurt, I say, 'You're making my job easy,' " Scheetz said. "It doesn't matter who starts; both are ready to play at any moment."

Whipple doesn't have to worry too much about beating someone out for a starting spot. The starting center, Whipple is now at her third position in three years. As a freshman she was an attack wing; last year she moved back to defense wing. Now she must replace departed All-American Anna Marie Vesco.

"I don't really mind switching positions," Whipple said. "The center gets more on the offense (than defense wing). It takes a while to adjust, but I just do whatever is better for the team."