In the 11 previous meetings between the women's lacrosse team and Delaware, Penn State has won nine, including a 13-4 triumph last year. Still, Coach Julie Williams believes there is a rivalry out there.
After all, the Lady Blue Hens' two wins came when it mattered most -- in the 1983 and 1984 NCAA semifinals. While those players are gone, the feelings between the teams are not. With Delaware struggling to an early season 2-2 mark, it would like nothing better than to rekindle old memories.
The team will get its chance when it hosts Penn State at 3 p.m. today at Newark, Del.
"With the way their season's going, you never know when they're going to make the first steps (and start winning)," Williams said. "They'll be up to beat Penn State and they could have a good day. (But) I expect nothing less than our best; I won't accept less intensity because it might be a lesser team."
Williams was referring to last weekend's hard-fought 10-9 win over Virginia and 9-5 victory against William & Mary. It was the first time all season the team played two consecutive games at full intensity. After beginning the year with some inconsistency, the Lady Lions would like to finally hit their stride.
"William & Mary was as good a win as we've had all year because we were never lulled to sleep," first home Deanna Blood said. "It wasn't a surprise, but it was good to see everything pull together. It proved that all over the field, we could do well."
With a 6-2 record, things seem to be headed in the right direction, yet Williams said there are a few exceptions. She said the team's one-on-one defense needs improvement because of its tendency to swipe at opponents' sticks, which causes too many eight-meter shots. Against Virginia, the first half was marred with eight-meter shots, all against Penn State.
Also, she said the offense needs to break into scoring position quicker when a player is holding the ball behind the goal instead of letting the attacker get pressured. Williams added that winning control of the draws at midfield would also set up more scoring opportunities.
Even with the minor adjustments, Penn State believes it can match up well with the Lady Blue Hens. Williams said Delaware is a running team, which suits her team fine.
"We want to make them run 80-yard sprints, so they'll eventually drop it or throw a bad pass," she said.
Williams added she was also concerned with sophomore Megan Mulqueen (eight goals) and Stephanie Sadarananda (four goals). Barb Wolfe leads the Lady Blue Hens with eight goals and four assists.
"Different teams will try to challenge what we do," third home Karen Brown said. "We'll stick to the same things we've done, but try something new every now and then."
LADY LAX FAX: Last weekend's two-game homestand was the team's longest of the season. It has three matches left at home and six on the road . . . Delaware is averaging seven goals a game and giving up 8.5 . . . In the latest Brine poll, released April 1, Penn State is ranked No. 5 and Delaware is No. 10.
