Lady laxers focusing on improving fundamentals


Friday, March 27, 1998	Lady laxers focusing on improving fundamentals By DON STEWART Collegian Sports Writer The little things kill. The No. 9 Penn State women's lacrosse team experienced that last weekend against William and Mary and Virginia. The team struggled with basic skills as it dropped both games.
`Penn State Women's Lacrosse Home Page`	"It's the little things that have been killing us," junior attacker Jen Johnson said. "Things like throwing and catching. I think that's what hurt us and caused a lot of turnovers last weekend." This weekend, the Lady Lions (3-3) will look to stop those little things. They host No. 3 Princeton at 1 p.m. tomorrow then take on No. 15 Old Dominion at 2 p.m. on Sunday. In practice this week, Penn State coach Julie Williams has been picking up the intensity in an attempt to get her team back on track. To help fix her players' mental lapses, she's done things such as making them run laps for missing passes.
Midfielder Cheryl Videon shoots for the goal. Little errors have plagued the team, which will host Princeton and Old Dominion this weekend. (Collegian Photo/Shawn Knapp - click for full size image)	Johnson said no one can figure out why a team full of accomplished lacrosse players is having trouble with things like catching and throwing. She said the team has gone through ups and downs all season, playing well one game then not showing up for the next. With two ranked teams coming to town this weekend, senior attacker Cheryl Videon said the Lions should be on an upswing. Videon said the team often sinks to the level of lesser teams or elevates to the level of the elite competition. "I think we like to play up to the competition," Videon said. "We definitely like to rise to the occasion." Two key elements will return this weekend, helping the team rise to the occasion. Senior team captain Sarah Long, who hobbled through the William&Mary game and didn't play against Virginia, is expected to return Saturday. In addition, both games will be played on Jeffrey Field if the weather holds up. Penn State has played its five home games this season on the artificial surfaces of Bigler Athletic Complex and Holuba Hall. Princeton (4-0), however, could present a challenge for Penn State. With wins against No. 5 Duke, No. 8 William&Mary and No. 11 Georgetown on their resume, the Tigers are off to a great start. The Lions knocked off Princeton 14-11 last season. Tiger coach Chris Sailer said her team is stronger offensively and defensively this season. She said her offense is more balanced and has more weapons and her players go stronger to the goal. Sailor also said she expects an emotional game Saturday. Penn State and Princeton, both perennial top 10 teams, have developed a rivalry of sorts over the years. The series currently stands at 9-9. Sunday's game with Old Dominion (3-3) could be emotional as well. Videon said the Monarchs almost always present a physical game. "That's a game we can't take lightly either," Videon said. "They're a well-coached team, so they're always good competition." Old Dominion coach Sue Stahl, whose team lost to James Madison on Wednesday, said she is looking for a lot of improvement from her players in all facets of their game, including consistency. Against the Lions, Stahl hopes her team is more aggressiveness on offense. "We've been a little hesitant to do that," Stahl said. "Sometimes you've gotta make opportunities happen, instead of waiting for opportunity." For Penn State, both Old Dominion and Princeton will present opportunities to get back on track.