Lady laxers hope to stuff tough Loyola

By MICHAEL PALM
Collegian Sports Writer

The Penn State women's lacrosse team has come up with a word of the day for its 3 p.m. game today at Loyola -- hustle.

It was something Coach Julie Williams said her team did not do well enough in its loss to Old Dominion.

"That loss was due to our lack of hustle," Williams said. "We've focused on that in practice."

That focus includes chasing down every ball and not quitting. The No. 5 Lady Lions (0-1) are not going to go unchallenged by No. 7 Loyola (0-0).

"They're always tough and aggressive and physical and excitable," Williams said.

Penn State will try to squelch Loyola's high emotions by coming into the game strong. But Loyola is not the type of team to fall apart, even if itallows the opening goal of the game, Williams said.

The Lady Lions are looking to rebound from last Thursday's 7-6 loss against No. 9 Old Dominion.

But the team will be without the services of junior defense wing Stephanie Flexer. She tore her anterior cruciate ligament (knee) last week and will be out for the season.

Although Loyola is a relatively healthy squad, the team has had to make some lineup changes as well. They lost nine starters from last year's team, but five of the top eight scorers are returning. Junior midfielder Michelle Meyer, who scored 32 goals and tallied nine assists, returns with senior attack Betsy Given, who notched 18 goals and 13 assists.

The Greyhounds sport an entirely new defense as well as a new goaltender, Loyola Sports Information Director Steve Jones said, calling this season a "rebuilding year."

The Lady Lions hope to capitalize on the lack of experience, Williams said.

One of the players looking to capitalize is junior defense wing Joanne Connelly. She scored four goals in the loss to Old Dominion. The Lady Lions are counting on her to do it again. Since last year, she's been a go-to player.

"She has been," Williams said. "She's one of our leaders."