The Penn State men's soccer club is hosting an indoor soccer tournament that kicks off tonight at 7 p.m. and continues through tomorrow.

The tournament will feature a total of 18 teams from various universities including Cornell, Delaware, Lafayette, Lehigh, Maryland, Notre Dame, Princeton and Pennsylvania. Most of the participating schools will send two teams, and Penn State will have five separate teams taking part in the action.

The tournament will begin with pool play format, and the top teams from each pool will move on to an eight-team playoff round that concludes with the championship game. The Penn State teams each consist of six men, many of whom played together on the national champion club team last fall. Penn State is also the defending champion from last year's indoor tournament.

The five teams have been competing against each other since January, and they have recently completed their own indoor league season. The Penn State players feel very comfortable playing on their own turf, and they figure that to be in their favor.

"We've been playing this indoor league all winter. We're used to the environment," Penn State player Derek Meyer said.

The Penn State teams do not think that they will walk away without a challenge though, and they expect the same solid competition they faced last year.

"Notre Dame was really strong last year. Navy is a powerhouse as well and always has been," Penn State player and coach Matt Schaefer said.

The Penn State teams feel that if they play up to their ability, they will perform well this weekend.

"Throughout the season we had some times where we were playing real well together, now we're playing right at the edge where we can play," Penn State player and soccer club president Chad Meldrum said.

Overall, the Penn State players appreciate the competition that they are receiving from all the participating schools, because the experience of playing indoors is key in improving their game which will transfer to the outdoor playing fields of the fall.