The woman between the pipes can be the great equalizer for a field hockey team playing tough opponents.

This weekend, Lions goalie Annie Zinkavich may need to shut down the explosive offenses of No. 6 Michigan State and No. 8 Wake Forest for the Lions to gain two victories. Zinkavich will look to post her second shutout of the season as the Lions take on the Spartans (5-3, 1-0) Friday at 7 p.m. and the Demon Deacons (5-3) Sunday at 1:30 p.m.

Zinkavich shutout Temple Wednesday as the Lions defeated the Owls 4-0. Lions forward Timarie Legel said it's very important for the Lions to have confidence in Zinkavich to make difficult saves.

"She keeps us in a lot of games," Legel said. "We know we can get one or two goals and win some games. It's also good for the defense because they feel safe with her back there."

Lions' coach Char Morett said her defense has played well in front of Zinkavich, but they will need to continue to perform this weekend because both the Spartans and Demon Deacons have dangerous attackers.

"Both teams have a lot of speed," Morett said. "Both teams have a strong corner attack. Both teams are pretty balanced."

The Spartans attack starts with forward Bridget Cooper, who leads the Big Ten in goals with nine and in points with 18. Cooper has a chance to break the Michigan State single season record for goals in a season, which stands at 30.

The Lions will also have to control forward Maureen Halstead, who recorded her first career hat trick Tuesday in Michigan State's 6-0 demolition of Central Michigan. Halstead ranks third in the Big Ten with 16 points.

Wake Forest also features a strong attack as Palymra, Pa. native Jennie Shelton has scored four goals in the Deamon Decons' last two home games. Kelly Dostal and Kelly Doton, who both play forward and midfield, have tallied three goals each for Wake Forest. Forward Jemima Cameron ranked second on the Decons last year in scoring and was named a 2000 AstroTurf/NFHCA South Region All-American.

In the net for the Spartans, Lauren Hess has earned four shutouts this season.

While Penn State forward Meredith Schulzitski scored a goal in the Lions' 3-2 overtime victory against the Spartans last year, Legel said the Spartans are greatly improved.

"Usually we have a really good game with them. It should be a really competitive game."

Morett said the match against Michigan State game will be key in the Lions' quest to win the Big Ten championship. "We are trying to win the conference," she said. "We have five games to go. We are taking one game at a time."

Morett said it was important for Penn State to enter this weekend's games off their victory against Temple. "It's good to get a little momentum going into Friday."

Legel said the Lions would be confident going into the weekend contests. "We were ranked in the top 10 a few weeks ago, so we won't be intimidated."