Facing five top-20 teams in its first six games, the women's lacrosse team isn't lacking in experience against the nation's top programs.

And the No. 13 Lions hope to use that experience to get something they need as they head to No. 4 Princeton for a 1 p.m. match up tomorrow.

"We're taking it one game at a time, but this win would just give us a lot of confidence," junior co-captain B.J. Lucey said. "Hopefully Princeton will figure out, everything will mesh, and then we can play well for the rest of season. Confidence is the main thing."

In order to accomplish this, the Lions (3-3) have been trying to correct the mistakes they identified in past games.

"I think that each game we've learned something little and something new," Lucey said. "(Wednesday against Delaware) we played with a lot of heart, but not smart. We just have to put the heart and the head together to make a complete game."

In fact, Wednesday's game against the Blue Hens also helped Penn State recognize some of its offensive weaknesses.

"We need to move for each other, find spaces, and then take it to the goal," head coach Suzanne Weinberg said. "That's what we weren't doing against Delaware that we have to do against Princeton. We have to make their defense work."

In the same manner, Weinberg is preparing her defense for a powerful offense. They will pay close attention to midfielder Charlotte Kenworthy and attacker Lauren Simone, who have netted the majority of the Tigers' goals this season.

"Princeton has great team speed, and a lot of players that can put the ball in the net," Weinberg said. "They're good in transition, too, so we're just going have to make sure we play good team defense and keep the ball at our end."

Actually, last year's game against the Tigers was a good example of just how explosive Princeton's offense can be. Kenworthy played a role by scoring three goals, and Princeton went on to defeat the Lions by a score of 19-8.

"I don't think anyone was happy with last year's result," Weinberg said. "No one wants to see something like that again."

So, according to Weinberg, the way to prevent a similar outcome is a solid effort from every player on the field.

"We know we have to be on top of our game," she said. "Every single player has to step up and be ready to play hard and smart."

At the same time, however, the Lions will be without two of their top players. Defender Alyson Shand, who was injured Sunday against William and Mary, will miss her second game of the week. Forward Molly Ford will also sit out tomorrow's game with an ankle injury that she suffered Wednesday against Delaware.

Although it probably won't know until tomorrow how the open positions will be filled, the team isn't concerned.

"We have a deep bench this year, and that helps us a lot," Lucey said. "We have confidence in our bench. We know someone will get the job done."