For every team, there are some games that just don't turn out the way the team would want them to.

For the Penn State women's lacrosse team, one of those games happened last season against Delaware in which the Blue Hens downed the Lions 15-7.

"When you lose by that much to a team, it makes you want it even more the next year," Penn State lacrosse coach Suzanne Weinberg said.

"But we have a lot of new players and this is a new year, so I don't know how much that (last year's game) will have an effect on them. This is a big game for us, and it's going to be a tough game regardless of last year."

So when the Lions head out to Bigler Field at 3 p.m. for redemption today, the two teams facing each other will be different than last year — at least offensively.

Delaware's Sarah Edwards, who scored seven goals against the Lions last season, graduated. The Blue Hen went on a scoring rampage in the second half of the game, scoring five goals in the 30-minute half.

"It makes us realize that they are a really good team," Penn State defender Stacey Saggese said.

"We can't take anyone lightly. We have a new coach. We are a completely different team, with a different attitude. We are much more prepared this year to beat them."

Of the six Delaware players who scored against Penn State, only three will be returning — seniors Megan Fortunato, Katy Hahn and Kate O'Connell.

Both Fortunato and O'Connell have started the season off well, scoring eight goals and five goals, respectively, in the four games they have played this year. Delaware is currently 3-1 overall and ranked No. 18 in the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association poll.

The team's only loss came to Old Dominion March 10.

Penn State, however, isn't the same team either. The No. 13 Nittany Lions bring back two of the five players who scored against the Blue Hens last season. Junior B.J. Lucey and sophomore Colleen O'Hara scored three of the Lions seven goals in last year's game.

As for the defense of the teams, both Penn State and Delaware bring back a core of players.

Juniors B.J. Lucey, Alison DeCecco, Melissa MacRone, Stacey Sagesse and goalkeeper Megan Ames make up this solid group for Penn State. Alyson Shand, a key low defender for the Lions, separated her shoulder in Sunday's game as a William and Mary player made a last second shot on Ames, to force the game into overtime. Shand will not play in today's game due to her injury.

"It's a significant loss for us," Weinberg said.

"Alyson is a very tough, tough defender. It just means that everyone else has to step up. I have no doubt we can do it. We have a lot of players. If each one steps up a little bit, we are going to be fine."

As for Delaware, it brings back seniors Claire Marrazzo, Lauren Gadzicki and Katy Hahn, along with juniors Johanna Israel and goalkeeper Laurie Tortorelli. Tortorelli has had 38 saves this season.

Penn State has been troubled with its shooting this season and will have to fix that if it plans on getting past Tortorelli.

"I thinks one of our goals will be to improve our shooting," Weinberg said.

"It has plagued us the last couple games. I also want everyone to play the full 60 minutes — not give Delaware time to make a big run.

"We just want to stay in the game the whole time.

"We need to come out aggressive and tough and play smart lacrosse."