Going against Bucknell should be an easier task for the Penn State women's lacrosse team after opening with American Lacrosse Conference (ALC) opponent Vanderbilt.

But after last season's trials and tribulations with consistency, anything is possible.

"That's the biggest thing we took from last year," Penn State head coach Suzanne Isidor said. "It's definitely been a focus."

A few times last year the Lions would win a big game against a ranked opponent and then come out flat the next game and lose. But 2006 brings in a different year, as the Lions head down the road to Lewisburg to take on Bucknell at 4 p.m. today.

On Sunday No. 10 Penn State (1-0) beat No. 12 Vanderbilt on a goal scored by Kerry Shea in the final minute of the game.

Bucknell (1-0) is coming off of its own comeback win beating Binghamton on Tuesday, 10-8. Senior Emily Burman and freshman Sarah Collins led the way for the Bison with three points each. They combined for 13 of the team's 27 shots.

Against the Commodores, Penn State fired 30 shots, 24 of which went on goal. However, only nine of those shots on goal went in the net, leaving the Lions with a .300 shooting percentage. Isidor saw this to be a problem.

"We need to work on shooting," Isidor said. "Our shooting percentage needs to be better."

She was happy, though, that the Lions were able create that many shots in the game.

Knowing how to improve that percentage might be a little difficult. Because Bucknell's first game wasn't until two days ago, the Lions weren't able to see the opponent until yesterday, leaving little time for them to prepare for what the Bison might bring. So that left the Lions to prepare the way they normally do and the way they did for Vanderbilt.

Kim Kontson and Jessi Lieb each tallied two goals and an assist last Sunday to head the point totals for Penn State.

For her performance against the Commodores which also included three draw controls, two ground balls and a caused turnover, Lieb was named ALC player of the week. Inside Lacrosse magazine also gave her honorable mention player of the week honors.

Playing this game should be a familiar position to most of the Lions. After beating Vanderbilt last year in the season opener, the Lions traveled to Bucknell. The Lions won 19-3.

"This team has a lot of guts and determination," Isidor said. "We need a team effort for the rest of the season."