When you only get one home match in an entire season, you tend to look forward to it. So will be the case as the women's golf team tees up at this weekend's Nittany Lion Invitational.

The two day event will feature 36 holes on Saturday starting at 9 a.m. with the final 18 Sunday beginning at 8 a.m.

With a field of 14 schools, including two Penn State teams, the Nittany Lions will take to the field with last weekend's successful outing at the Lady Northern Invitational fresh in their mind.

Junior Katie Futcher led the Lions in the Lady Northern with a +3 score, good enough for a fourth place tie in the event, and will look to better that score this weekend on Penn State's Blue Course.

The Lions have enjoyed a rich history of success at their lone home event, with 15 victories at the competition.

Last year, the Lions captured the trophy with a 908 final score, besting second place James Madison's 913.

That score was the second best in the history of the tournament, surpassed only the previous year's 888, also shot by Penn State.

At that event, Futcher finished seventh with a 228 (+12), followed by teammate Rosemarie Fuster, who shot a 229 (+13).

The Lions will likely lean on Futcher, who coaches describe as a strong ball striker with a good head for the game and a real passion to lead the way this weekend.

Penn State's Jamie McClain, who has since graduated, won the event last year with a 221 by finishing the final day at 2-under par, the best-ever individual round at the Nittany Lion Invitational.

Teammate Jen Elsea, playing as an individual in the event, shot a 226, which tied her for third overall. Elsea has not competed in any team events yet this season, but looks forward to competing at the Invitational.

"I got off to a rough start this year, but I know all of us are playing in the Invitational," Elsea said.

Coach Denise St. Pierre recognized some of the benefits of playing at home.

"There's certainly an advantage of playing on your home course, you know all the little slopes, ways to play each golf hole," she said. "You don't always find that in a practice round."

And when an advantage only presents itself once a year, the need to take advantage of it increases.

"Also, you're not worn out from travel, and you're sleeping in your own bed," St. Pierre said. "It's a familiar environment."

Several of last year's participants, including Ohio University, William & Mary, UNC-Greensboro, and Bowling Green will be present.

Each team will field six players, and count the low four scores of each day.