The Penn State field hockey team is beginning to refocus its goals -- away from its non-conference winning streak and toward winning a conference title.

The No. 6 Nittany Lions (7-0) will put their undefeated record on the line and open their Big Ten Conference schedule this weekend. First, they will travel to East Lansing today to take on No. 5 Michigan State (8-1). Penn State will return home to play Indiana (2-5) at noon on Sunday at Bigler Field. History is on Penn State's side, with the Lions holding an 8-2 edge in Big Ten openers.

The Lions are coming off a weekend that saw them outscore St. Joseph's and West Chester by a combined score of 14-1. A week off has allowed them to prepare for conference play. This weekend will be an up-and-down weekend of competition, playing against defending Big Ten Champion MSU and third-year team Indiana.

Penn State feels it is fully prepared for its matchups with Big Ten teams. Senior back Kate Bender said the team is physically fit and prepared to play both a home game and an away game in one weekend, while junior forward Timarie Legel feels this team is one of the most fit she has ever seen.

Field hockey coach Char Morett feels the team has already faced numerous tests in North Carolina and Connecticut, but knows that MSU will be tough.

"Michigan State is different than some of the non-conference teams we've played in that they are faster and more skilled," she said.

However, Bender thinks the non-conference games have given the team the added confidence to help them win, especially against the stronger Big Ten teams.

"We know what to expect from the strongest Big Ten teams," she said. "Every game you go out and play is going to be competitive."

The key to defeating MSU will be to score first and use their defense to control the game. Penn State has scored first in every game this season and has only allowed one goal in the first half of a game, to St. Joe's. Both teams have had their goalies named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week this season. MSU's Christina Kirklady is the reigning awardee while Penn State's Annie Zinkavich received the award last week.

However, MSU, with 43 goals on the season, also has its share of offensive prowess. Bender points to needing to have all-around strong defense, from the forwards to the backs, in order to perform well against the Spartans, who have extremely high speed and strong stick work.

"It's anybody's game," Morett said. "I don't think there's a favorite, but we're definitely looking forward to starting conference play."