While the Penn State women's lacrosse team's offense can be seen as balanced, its defense can be called solid.

"I see the defense as one of the strongest aspects of our team because they do have that unity from last year," Penn State women's lacrosse assistant coach Emily Hansel said.

The team is returning a strong junior class consisting of nine players who are expected to play a crucial role on and off the field this season. Included in this group are Alyson Shand and Alison DeCecco.

"She's (Shand) proven herself and she's matched up against some of the best players in the country," assistant coach Tara Rowlyk said.

While Shand plays a low defensive position, DeCecco, who plays a middle-defensive position, will be called upon to mark the top players of the opposing teams. Last year Shand controlled the ball off the draw 10 times and DeCecco controlled 11, and the two players combined forced 22 turnovers.

Like the offense, Penn State has speed and stick skills on defense as well, both of which are needed to make the team well-rounded.

"One of the biggest assets is that they all have speed and stick skills," Hansel said. "Their speed enables them to get the ball back from the defensive end into the attacking end and I think that is so key."

The greatest strength of the Lions defense, however, is perhaps senior goalkeeper Megan Ames. Last season Ames had 206 saves for Penn State, with a save percentage of 49.4. In her career for the Nittany Lions, she has had 434 saves and an overall save percentage of 50.6. According to last year's statistics, Ames had the third highest number of forced turnovers for the team with 15.

"As a coach, to have a senior goalie with a lot of experience is comforting," Penn State coach Suzanne Weinberg said. "She's a leader, she knows the game and she works well with the defensive unit."

One key defender who will not be returning to the Lions team this year is Courtney Jenkins. Jenkins led the Nittany Lions in forced turnovers with 35 and controlled the draw four times throughout the season.

"I think the defense is the area of our team that has the most returning players," Rowlyk said.

"Last year five or six defenders were experiencing their first time stepping out on the field. They have taken what they learned and are adding that to working more as a unit."

The Nittany Lions will get their first chance to prove just how cohesive a unit they have become throughout the preseason as they step onto the field for their first game of the 2001 season Saturday against Cornell.

"One of the strengths is that we are a team, and we are relying on everyone to bring in the wins," Hansel said. "They've been through good times and bad times and that has only made them stronger as a team."