Opening with three losses in six games is not how it expected to start.

The Penn State men's soccer team (3-3) will host Akron (1-2-1) tonight at 7:30 at Jeffrey Field and then travel to Ann Arbor to open the Big Ten season against Michigan (2-2-1), Sunday at 2 p.m.

Three weeks into the season, the Nittany Lions are still searching for what has gone wrong on a team with championship hopes.

"We have to play consistent the whole 90 [minutes]," midfielder David Walters said. "It might just be because we are young, but I don't think that's an excuse. We have to fix that right away or we are not going to win."

One would think tonight is an easy win, but this is the trap the Lions have fallen into in the past -- overlooking teams.

With Akron's offense struggling to find its groove, netting just five goals this season, and with the Wolverines on tap Sunday, tonight is a crucial game for the Lions.

Sunday's Big Ten opener will be another test for the Lions as they play their first official road match of the year.

"We are happy to get [Penn State] at home," Michigan men's soccer coach Steve Burns said. "Right now we are about the same, two teams with great players who are not getting the results."

The Wolverines are going to go as far as their offense can take them. While there have been flashes of brilliance, there have been signs of nothing as well.

"When we attack, we are stagnant with our motion," Burns said. "It is easy to defend us. Our emphasis in practice this week is on how we can tear a defense apart."

Ripping through defenders is something Lions forward Chad Severs has been able to do.

While he has proved to be a one-man show at times, the Wolverines are led by their two-headed monster of forwards Knox Cameron and Mychal Turpin, who lead the conference in points per game and goals per game, respectively.

Just as the Lions often do when Severs has the ball, the Wolverines are guilty of watching their best players with the ball.

"We want to get the ball to their feet, but it is a double-edged sword," Burns said.

"They are good players and their teammates tend to watch them too much. The challenge is for us to stop watching."

These comments could not be echoed any better by Penn State men's assistant coach Marlon LeBlanc.

"We've got guys standing around and watching things go by," he said. "We've got a good team here, but the guys have to believe it."

While some players have played up to their potential the Lions are still missing something on the field.

"I think [we are missing] leadership," goaltender Ryan Mote said. "Other players on our team need to step up."

If anybody is going to step up, now is the time as the Big Ten season is underway and there are only six games in which to prove your worth.