The Penn State men's soccer team is looking for redemption.

After a disappointing regular season in the Big Ten, the No. 6-seeded Nittany Lions will open up the Big Ten Tournament with a clean slate against No. 3-seeded Northwestern at 11:45 a.m. today in Ann Arbor, Mich.

But while Penn State seeks redemption, the Wildcats are looking for revenge. Last year, the Lions ended Northwestern's hope for a postseason run with a 1-0 victory in the conference tournament. Earlier this season, Penn State found the back of the net twice in the last 45 seconds to escape Evanston with a 2-2 tie.

"No one remembers that we controlled the midfield or controlled the ball for most of the game against them," midfielder David Walters said. "Everybody remembers that we barely tied them.

"So we're going to come out and try and prove to the rest of the teams in the Big Ten that our record doesn't exactly show how good of a team we are."

Like last year, the Lions have collected only one conference win and have struggled against other Big Ten competition.

As of late, they've also faltered on offense -- Northwestern has scored twice as many goals (16) as Penn State (8) in the last seven games.

"It's a playoff game. So, yes, defense is important," Penn State coach Barry Gorman said. "But you have to get that all-important goal. If you keep shooting, good things happen. If you don't shoot, then you're just hoping for a miracle."

The Lions' problem hasn't been creating scoring opportunities, but rather capitalizing on them. In the last three games, Penn State has tallied 57 shots -- and scored just a pair of goals.

By comparison, the Wildcats had two scores in their last game, despite only getting off a dozen shots.

Historically, though, Penn State has been a good playoff team. Last year, the Lions were also seeded sixth, but wound up in the Big Ten Tournament championship game, where they eventually fell to Indiana in a shootout.

"Every team realizes that this is their last shot at the show," forward Simon Omekanda said. "Northwestern knows that if they come and beat us in the first game, they have a real chance at making the [NCAA] tournament."

Penn State holds the lopsided all-time advantage, 17-0-1, but will face a tough Wildcats team that's been averaging 2.2 goals per game.

The Lions have been nearly flawless on defense, however, and have allowed only one goal in their last six contests.

And Penn State won't have to worry about one nuisance that's been plaguing them all season: ties.

Penn State set a new school record this season with seven ties, the most in the club's 93-year-old history.

But, as is the norm for tournament-style games, there are no more ties from here on out for the Lions.

"No more ties," Walters smiled. "Do or die, no more ties. I'm tired of tying."