Lady laxers welcome pair of nation's elite

The Penn State women's lacrosse team has two important games this weekend. But that's no big deal, Lady Lion coach Julie Williams said, because all of their games are important.

"In the lacrosse world, it's such a small world and every game's important," Williams said. "There's no Big Ten Championship to sort of get you that automatic bid, so you have to perform during the season."

Lion junior midfielder Colleen O'Brien said her team will have no problem being motivated this weekend. She said big teams like Virginia (3-1) and William and Mary (0-1) bring out the best in Penn State (3-1).

"That's what we're looking for -- to play teams better than us because that's just going to make us better," O'Brien said. "It's not fun when you're making shots left and right and just killing a team."

In addition, O'Brien said the Lions are staying focused for each game. Although the Cavaliers are ranked higher than the Tribe, she said they won't be looking past William and Mary on Saturday.

One factor in Penn State's favor will be the home field advantage. Last season, Penn State dropped close games to both Virginia and William and Mary on the road.

"It's always so comforting to be at home," Williams said. "We're hoping to draw a good crowd."

Also, both William and Mary and Virginia are coming off losses. The Tribe dropped a 7-5 decision to No. 4 Princeton on Wednesday, and the Cavaliers fell to No. 6 Maryland 11-8 on the same day.

However, those may be the Lions' only advantages. They are facing two teams with more experience in the Tribe and the Cavaliers. They also play Virginia the day after playing William and Mary, whereas the Cavaliers get three days to rest.

"Certainly playing back-to-back games is going to be tougher on the legs of their players than two practices will be on ours," Virginia coach Julie Myers said.

The first of those two back-to-back games, William and Mary, is the 19th installment in a series that began in 1980. Although the Lions have a 14-3-1 record against the Tribe, it is almost always a close game.

"I think it will be another classic showdown," Tribe coach Feffie Barnhill said. "It's always a toss-up game, it's always a one-goal game. I give it even odds."

Seven starters are back for the Tribe, who finished 10-7 in 1997. Barnhill said that group, especially tri-captains Amanda Golding, Jeanne Lekin and Molly Renehan, are key to her team's success this season.

Williams also pointed to senior attacker Lindsay Rademaker, who the Penn State coach said "did a great job last year," and to Dani Vissers, who Williams described as "tall, strong and has a very good shot."

"I've got the veterans," Barnhill said.

Myers' Cavaliers also boast plenty of experience. Virginia returns nine of 12 starters from last year's 14-4 squad, including three All-Americans in Kara Ariza, Beth Potter and Peggy Boutilier, who was last season's NCAA Div. I Defensive Player of the Year.

Myers said Virginia is strong but still looking to improve early in the season.

"It's still pretty early, so we're still working out some kinks, but I'm pleased with where we're at," she said. "Anytime we take the field it's a chance to get better."

The Cavaliers are a balanced team with a "tremendous supporting cast" for Boutilier, Ariza and Potter, Myers said. She added she's looking for improved consistency and aggressiveness on the field Sunday.

An interesting note for Penn State -- Williams graduated from Virginia in 1987 and assistant Lisa Dixon from William and Mary last year. Although many coaches savor victories over their alma maters, Williams said want to beat the Cavaliers because she's at Penn State, not because she used to play there.

After all, every game is important.