Lady laxers hope to shift weight into win column

The women's lacrosse team is currently two games under .500 and in desperate need of a win. The No. 6 Lady Lions (2-4) will try to put a woeful season start behind them when they face Delaware (1-2) at 1 p.m. Saturday at Jeffrey Field.

As of now, the Lady Lions have achieved little success early in the season. A loss against the Fighting Blue Hens will equal the team's loss total for all of last season, when it finished 11-5.

Penn State coach Julie Williams is not shy about providing an explanation for the team's lackluster performance. She said the team lacks intensity and isn't focused.

Williams said only about seven or eight players on her team demonstrated intensity and focus in Penn State's first six games. This makes it nearly impossible to win against other teams that are playing with 12 or more highly motivated players.

In an effort to inspire those players who aren't giving 100 percent and reward those that are, Williams allowed her players to vote to decide who will dress for the game.

"They've got to prove to each other that they're ready to be there," Williams said. "It might wake some people up."

One player who doesn't seem to need any extra motivation is senior Michele DeJuliis, who leads the team with 13 goals. Another player who has played well is freshman Jennifer Webb. She has been crucial in helping her team gain possession by winning the draw.

Williams noted Penn State has won the draw in every game this season, something the Lady Lions have struggled with in past seasons.

As for Delaware, the Lady Lions face a team coached by Denise Wescott, an assistant at Penn State in 1986 and 1987.

One point Wescott and Williams agree on is that Penn State possesses enough talent to win Saturday's game. Wescott is wary of her opponents, despite Penn State's sub-par record.

"They've had to play some tough teams," Wescott said. "Their record really isn't a comfort to us."

Granted, all of Penn State's four losses came against teams ranked in the nation's top five. But if the team doesn't learn how to play with 12 or more fully motivated and focused players, future wins could be tough to come by.

Note:

n  If Jeffrey Field offers poor playing conditions due to inclement weather, the game could be moved to Bigler Field.