The women's lacrosse team was hoping to gain a little confidence against Princeton last weekend.

And although it accomplished that part of its goal, it still didn't get the win.

With the hard-fought 10-9 loss against the Tigers still fresh in their mind, the No. 13 Nittany Lions hope to pull it all together when they face No. 1 Maryland today at 6 p.m. and No. 7 North Carolina Sunday at 11 a.m.

Both Friday and Sunday will be doubleheaders featuring Big Ten and ACC teams, and Ohio State will play North Carolina at 3 p.m. today and Maryland at 3 p.m. Sunday.

"I think we're ready," Penn State head coach Suzanne Weinberg said. "I think last week's game gave us a lot of confidence. We're still hungry because we didn't get that win last weekend."

Penn State, which has faced many of the top national programs throughout the first half of its season, have compiled a 3-4 record that is not necessarily representative of the team's abilities.

So, after losing some close games that could have gone either way, the Lions are ready to finally knock off a national powerhouse.

"I think we're ready to do it," Weinberg said. "Each game we've gotten better and improved on something. As long as can play as hard as we've been playing and as smart as we did against Princeton, good things can happen."

However, it will be difficult for Penn State to start a winning streak this weekend. The Lions must upset Maryland (7-0), which has won 27 consecutive games and six straight NCAA championships.

The Terps also have Jen Adams, the 1999 and 2000 NCAA player of the year. The senior midfielder has already tallied 24 goals and 20 assists through seven games this season.

"She's the best player in the country," Weinberg said. "But she also has a lot of teammates who can beat you. So we're going to have to play good team defense."

Regardless of today's outcome, the Lions will need to recover quickly for Sunday's contest against a North Carolina team that has been on fire lately.

After disappointing losses to Boston University and Duke, the Tar Heels have come back to knock off Virginia, 15-12, and Virginia Tech, 20-1.

In fact, the 19-goal margin against Virginia Tech equaled the largest in school history.

"The entire UNC attack is very strong," Weinberg said. "We can't focus on any one player. Again, we need good team defense."

Meanwhile, the Penn State attack hopes to apply the shooting and ball control it has been working on in practice.

"Offensively we're going to have to work the defense," Weinberg said. "We're going to have to work for good shots. They're not going to just come to us."

Aside from preparing for their opponents, the Lions are also adjusting their line-up. Defender Alyson Shand is nursing the same injury that has kept her on the sidelines since March 18. Also, attacker Molly Ford may or may not return from her ankle injury in time for tonight's game.

But, despite the possibility of both players' absence, the Lions are hoping the atmosphere at home will give them the extra push they need to stand up against two top-notch programs.

"We know the field, and we're used to the field," senior co-captain Megan Ames said. "I think it's definitely an advantage."