Although most of the Penn State women's field hockey players are ready to start the season, coach Char Morett is a little worried about the season opener for several reasons.

But despite what Morett wants, the Lady Lions will open their season with Old Dominion at 11 a.m. tomorrow and Kent State at noon Sunday.

Both games will take place at Bigler Field.

"We generally play Old Dominion early. I like to play them a week later, but because of the Big Ten/ACC Challenge, we had to open up with them," Morett said.

"I would prefer to have a game before them," she said.

Morett said her primary concern is putting together a solid starting lineup. Since there are seven seniors and six juniors on the Lions' roster — most of which are returning starters — the team has a comfortable amount of experience.

Injuries to key players will keep some of them out of the starting lineup for the games this weekend, though.

Some of the players are a little more optimistic about the team's physical condition.

"Physically and mentally we are in great shape," sophomore midfielder/back Jill Martz said. "We are all so excited right now, we can't wait for the first game."

Although Martz is still one of the younger players, she started in every game last season.

Morett said she feels confident that the younger players can step up in the absence of some of the regular starters, but she added that having one game down would have been a plus.

With the rivalry between Penn State and Old Dominion, it is likely to be a big game, which is another reason Morett said she wanted more time to prepare.

Some of the team members think playing on home turf will be an advantage, but it hasn't always been.

The last time the Lions met the Lady Monarchs on Bigler Field, the Lions came out on top 4-3, but the Lions are 3-4 all-time against Old Dominion at home.

The Lions have managed to win the last two games against the Lady Monarchs, but they aren't taking this game lightly just because of that.

"We're not going to go out and expect to win just because we beat them the last two years," sophomore midfielder/back Heather Conroy said.

"We know they're going to be hungry for a win," she said.

Senior midfielder Traci Anselmo said she would rather not concentrate on what happened in prior years, but concentrate on what might happen in tomorrow's game.

"I try not to look at the years before because then you might start to think, 'Oh, we're going to get an easy win,' " Anselmo said.

"I like to look at it like they beat us last year 5-1 and say, 'Let's go get them.' I think it's bad karma to go in thinking it's going to be an easy game."

Practicing for two straight weeks without a game has made the Lions anxious. The team is very focused on being ready to play and Morett said she felt the team would be ready when the first whistle blows.

As one of the team captains, Anselmo said she has a pretty good gauge.

She said that through the weeks of practices, Morett has prepared the team for the opener and the team is ready to go.

"I think we're ready, and I put my confidence in coach," Anselmo said.

"If she (Morett) says we're ready, then I say we're ready."