The women of the Penn State soccer team have to show up at Jeffrey Field tonight. And they have to go through the motions of a soccer game for about an hour and a half. They even have to knock a few balls into the back of the net. If the elite squad can accomplish all that, a win should be at hand.

But for their opponents, the Bucknell Bison, to leave the field victorious, they'll probably need the game of their lives as well as a whole lot of luck.

The last regular season meeting came in 2001 in what was a record-setting feat. That day, the Nittany Lions thumped the Bison 9-2. More remarkable, the match marked the most goals, most assists (8) and most points (26) in Penn State women's soccer history.

This year's contest between Bucknell (4-1) and the No. 11 Lions (4-1-1) are clearly one of David-versus-Goliath proportions. In fact, the entire series between the two programs is a bit lopsided, with Penn State leading 7-0.

This season appears on paper to be no different with Penn State as the preseason Big Ten favorite and Bucknell picked to finish next to last in the inferior Patriot League.

But the Lions could use a little break from serious opponents, along with a chance to parade their talent. Of their six games this season, five have been against top-25 teams. And while their 3-1-1 record in those tough bouts is surely impressive, what goes on tonight during the 90 minutes on the field should be as well.

"It's a chance for a lot of players to show their stuff," said Penn State women's soccer coach Paula Wilkins.

However, Wilkins was reluctant to say that her team will easily walk all

over Bucknell. She expects the outmatched opponent to give everything it has for a chance to conquer the giant.

"I think Bucknell will bring the same amount of competition that we've seen so far," Wilkins said. "They're not going to be easier to beat than any of the other teams we've played."

Wilkins did say she was confident her team would not take the Bison too lightly. She added that she'd be disappointed if the Lions didn't come out competitive in the early going.

"We've talked about putting teams away, and I don't think we've done that so far this season," Wilkins said.

For the Lions, a successful performance would most certainly require a tally in the win column. Anything less would result in a significant drop in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America rankings.

Even after drawing with then No. 2 Santa Clara this past Sunday, the Lions fell four places to No. 11 in the NSCAA poll.

Regardless of ranking, Wilkins said she wants her team to keep up the consistency she has seen thus far. The Lions are on a five-game streak without a loss since dropping their season opener to Florida.