The Penn State field hockey team is looking to start a winning streak tonight as it travels to Big East country to face off against Connecticut at 7 at the George J. Sherman Family Sports Complex in Storrs, Conn.

The contest comes after the Nittany Lions' first game of the season, a 5-0 victory over Lafayette this past Sunday.

After losing their opener to Hosftra, the Huskies also netted a win last week, a 4-1 win over Vermont, to bring them to 1-1 on the year.

Connecticut will also be entering today's game with a viable offensive threat in Kelly Cochrane, who was named Big East Co-Offensive Player of the Week.

The Lions started to prepare for the Huskies, who are predicted to finish second in the Big East according to preseason league voting, in practice on Wednesday.

"We analyzed our game against Lafayette and tried to work on some of the breakdowns in practice this week," Penn State field hockey coach Charlene Morett said. "We tried to correct some of our defensive positioning and receiving from an offensive standpoint. I really would like to see, from the front line to the back line, just better discipline."

In a matchup against the Huskies last year at Bigler Field, the Lions went down early, 1-0, but were able to rally back for the win after goals by then-freshmen Bekah Hostetler and Karin Grap.

"It's pretty much been an even rivalry," Morett said. "They always field a very competitive team."

In Sunday's game against Lafayette, Penn State was able to maintain a solidified passing game, but still had a couple defensive breakdowns that troubled Morett.

Preparing for the Huskies included shoring up the passing and improving the focus of the defense in order to prevent mental lapses.

Two Lions hoping to make an impact in today's game are Sara Cahill and Mary Schaefer, both of whom started for the first time in last week's Lafayette match.

"The team is awesome, they make you feel like you're a part of the team," Cahill said. "We come together so well as a team, and all work for each other really well."

Team chemistry is something both Cahill and Schaefer agree is the biggest asset the Lions bring to the field.

"I feel the team really helped me feel comfortable on the field," Schaefer said. "I felt pretty confident. We have great chemistry on and off the field."