On Saturday, both the Penn State men's and women's rugby teams look to top off their successful regular seasons with home matches against league opponents.

The action starts at noon, with the Ruggers taking on the Maryland Terrapins. Last year, the Ruggers ripped through the Terrapins 77-9.

The Lady Ruggers kick off their weekend with a match at 7 p.m. today against the Juniata Eagles. With their No. 1 seed wrapped up, this non-league game will give the team a chance to develop players further for the spring playoffs. B-side players will be mixed in with fringe A-siders through out the match to help build the team towards the future.

Because the Ruggers' match is a league game, it has important postseason ramifications. A win against Maryland combined with Navy beating Towson secures the No. 2 seed for the Ruggers in the spring MARFU playoffs. A Rugger loss means either the third or fourth seed, and no home field advantage.

"The No. 2 seed guarantees us a home match in the first round next spring," said head coach Terry Ryland. "It's a real important match from a seeding standpoint."

In the game, the Ruggers are hoping to maintain their level of intensity built up the past few weeks. Last Saturday, the team played well in a loss against Navy and will attempt to build on that.

"We learned more about what it takes to play a fast pace game with intensity," Ryland said. "This last game will set the tone for winter practices, so playing well and winning the game will have impact for the next three months."

A well-played game for the Ruggers means relying upon the basics, playing physically on defense, and exuding patience on offense. Ball recycling from in the tackles to the forwards is also one area the Ruggers are looking to improve.

The team will have to expect a motivated Terrapins team, eager not only for revenge for last year's blowout loss but also for a chance to advance to the playoffs. A Maryland win gives them a pass to postseason play, while a loss means they would have to wait for an at-large berth.

"I think the team has gained a lot of confidence, and we are ready to go out and put everything that we have worked on into the game," head coach Peter Steinberg said.

The Lady Ruggers will use this weekend to prepare for the future.

Another chance for development of the team and its players will be its match at 5 p.m. Saturday against the American University Eagles.

Though the Lady Ruggers remain unbeaten in league play so far and are coming off an 87-0 demolition of Salisbury State, Steinberg sees room for the team to improve.

"I would like to see us really dominate in the forwards," he said. "We have improved, but are yet to really dominate. I would also like us to take opportunities to score — we do not always see the space. Seeing the space, and then attacking it is what we've worked on this week."

All games this weekend for both the men's and women's teams will be held at the West Campus pitch near the Blue and White Golf Course.