For the second time in this young season, the women's lacrosse team (2-0) will take its show on a familiar road -- the one that leads to Virginia.

After traveling to Richmond for its season opener, which Penn State won 11-4, the team now travels to Harrisonburg to square off against James Madison (2-1) tomorrow at 1. In between, the Lady Lions found time to hold off Loyola, 9-7.

Unlike Loyola, James Madison has three games under its belt heading into tomorrow's contest. The Dukes beat Colgate, 11-5, and Yale, 4-3. They suffered their only loss to Princeton, 9-5. Yesterday's scheduled game between James Madison and Delaware was rained out.

James Madison, ranked 10th in preseason polls, is led by Nora Maguire, who scored 45 points last season, including 34 goals to lead the team. Maguire once again leads the team with nine points, including five goals. The Dukes also return nine starters from last year's squad.

"Defensively, we have to give extra attention to (Maguire)," senior defender Sue Yoder said. "She's definitely a big scoring threat. We have to deny her the ball. We can't even let the ball get to her. And when she does get the ball, we have to double-team her."

Penn State's offense is led by leading goal-scorer Donna Bucci, who has six on the season. Last year, Bucci did not score in five appearances. Deanna Blood and Christy Sansone also have six points each on three goals and three assists.

But individual performance is not as important as the team aspect of the sport, Coach Julie Williams said. Even though the starting lineup is set, the substitutes know their role and realize that they are an integral part of the team.

"The seniors have no qualms about playing with anyone on the bench," Williams said. "The most important thing is the sense of giving to the team. All the skill in the world doesn't compare to team cohesion."

While cohesion is an intangible, playing surface is a tangible. After playing on the turf at Holuba Hall, the Lady Lions will once again have to endure a slower grass surface in Harrisonburg. It's no doubt that a turf field enables Penn State to utilize their speed to the maximum.

"If my kids could have it their way, they'd play on turf all the time," Williams said. "It makes them feel faster."

"We are a faster team on turf, but I think everybody is," senior attacker Deanna Blood said.

That perspective changes somewhat from the eyes of the person minding the nets.

"Bounce shots are easier to read on turf," senior goalkeeper Kay Young said, "but I kind of like the grass."