After finding much success against intrastate opponents this season, the Penn State field hockey team will go for the sweep of its Pennsylvania foes when the Nittany Lions visit Bucknell tonight at 5.

Coach Char Morett's Lions (9-8, 3-2) have beaten Temple, Lafayette, St. Joseph's and West Chester this season by a combined score of 14-0. West Chester, in fact, was unable to fire even a single shot on goal against the Lions.

Unfortunately for the No. 19 Lions, the bulk of their schedule pits them against opponents from other states -- highly ranked opponents from other states, no less. Where are Lock Haven, Lehigh and Villanova when you need them? But you can only play the teams on your schedule, and to quote Bryan Adams, there "ain't no use in complaining when you've got a job to do."

And Morett recognizes that the job for her team this week is to beat Bucknell and Michigan in an effort to secure a spot in the NCAA tournament. Tonight Morett will make sure the Lions are not caught looking ahead to Saturday's crucial game against the Wolverines.

"We're playing a team that's desperate for a win, at home, and we can't go in there looking ahead -- that's for sure," Morett said.

The Bison are 5-12, and have been shut out five times this season. Against like opponents (Lafayette and Indiana), Bucknell is 0-2, while the Lions are 2-0.

With a Penn State win tonight, the team will secure its 27th consecutive double-digit win season. The streak is the longest ever such streak in the nation.

But a 10-win season is far below the expectations of Morett and Lions fans, and also far below what the veterans on the team have gotten used to.

With time running out for seniors Amanda Eckert, Karin Grap and Michele Rigby, Morett is hoping to send the three off with a post-season run.

"I'd like to see us get two wins for them this week," Morett said.

The Lions are coming off their most lopsided loss of the season Sunday, when they fell to Duke 4-1. The most striking thing about the defeat was the amount of goals allowed.

"We gave up seven goals this weekend, and I don't think we've given up seven goals in any two week stretch during the season," Morett said as she voiced concern.

Another thing to be concerned about is the absence of tri-captain Molly Schriver, who will be out for tonight's game, and re-evaluated before Saturday.

On the offensive side of things, Michele Rigby, who has shown the ability to score often, has netted five goals in the last three games.

Despite the importance of the team's two remaining regular season games, the Lions are still relaxed. Tonight's match, shouldn't change that.