There's nothing like the experience of age -- except maybe the exuberance of youth.

Those qualities clash this afternoon when the senior-laden women's lacrosse team battles young Loyola College in Baltimore. The Lady Lions boast seven seniors to anchor their squad, while the Greyhounds start four freshman and have 18 on their roster.

The Lady Lions, ranked second in the nation, stand unbeaten after a 9-2 drubbing of Richmond last week. The No. 7 Greyhounds are also unblemished, recording a 17-4 blowout of Bucknell on Sunday. Both teams are 1-0.

"It's always a good, competitive game," forward Mary Ann Foley said. "They hustle and they play with a lot of desire and determination."

Penn State's seniors are distributed throughout the field. Elena Brazer and Lynn Burnes lead the defense. Foley, Megan Smith and Faith Sweeney lead a potent offensive attack.

Foley, who returns this season after missing last year with a knee injury, has recorded a team-high 60 goals in her career, while Smith has tallied 49. Smith's 51 assists last season led the nation and set a new Penn State single-season mark.

Karen Hoysted, also in her final season, plays midfield and possesses blazing speed and 57 career goals. Goalkeeper Kay Young boasts a 64 percent save mark after playing 17 games last season.

In addition to the veteran performers, second-year coach Julie Williams has a deep bench to rely on. Williams substituted often in the Richmond game and the William & Mary pre-season tournament with positive results.

"You need to develop some type of consistency," Williams said. "I've chosen the 12, but, in the Richmond game, I was able to throw anyone in there and they did great off the bench. I hope to keep doing that, but it's tough to balance -- you don't want to ruin the roll that's happening out there."

Her team's depth could provide an advantage late in the game, if Williams can successfully substitute fresh players to spell the starters. The Lady Lions' speed should also loom an even larger factor today, as the game is played on a quick AstroTurf surface at Curley Field on the Loyola campus.

The Greyhounds possess a team not nearly as experienced but equally as explosive. The young squad features several freshmen and sophomores, the product of one of the nation's best recruiting classes in 1990.

Loyola appeared in the NCAA Final Four last season. The Greyhounds finished with a 15-5 record last season, losing in the tournament to Maryland, 10-5.

"They're full of fiesty freshman," Williams said. "That can add so much energy to a team -- that's what you worry about more than strategy. You worry about the spirit of this team.

"This year, there's still that same feeling that they can do it again. Once you have the taste of that experience, you want to go for it every year."

Despite the young talent, Coach Diane Aikens relies on a trio of upperclassmen -- Kelly McGuigan on defense and Colleen Anderson and Sabrina Gallagher on attack. Anderson and Gallagher provide most of the Greyhounds' firepower. The pair combined for 72 goals last year.

The Greyhounds are 1-4 lifetime against Penn State. Last season, Loyola recorded a thrilling 6-5 victory over the Lady Lions in sudden death at Holuba Hall. That loss is not far from the Lady Lions' minds.

"There's always that revenge factor," Foley said. "We're out to get them and that's what you feel for teams you have a good rivalry with -- I think it's getting to that point with Loyola."