There's just one more Big Ten tune-up left for the Penn State field hockey team (6-2).

The No. 7 Nittany Lions will begin conference play on Saturday at Michigan State. The team is currently riding a six-game winning streak, and is looking to extend it to seven before the Big Ten opener.

The Lions will host the University of Pennsylvania (2-4) tonight at 6 at AstroTurf Field. The Quakers used to be a yearly opponent, but three seasons have passed since the two have met. Their last meeting in 2003 was a 2-0 Lions' victory, improving its series record to 17-6 in favor of Penn State.

After scoring six goals last weekend, junior Shaun Banta was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week, the second time a Lions player has received that award this year. Mallory Weisen received the honor earlier in the season.

Banta goes into tonight's game with a three-game goal-scoring streak. Banta, along with the three other forwards, has become more aggressive and focused with responsibilities in front of the cage, according to Penn State head coach Char Morett.

"It's real important for us to look at specific areas as a team that we need to improve on," Morett said. "I feel that our attack is much, much improved. We're taking much better quality shots. We're putting the ball in the circle more often from inside the 25."

With the offense on an upswing from its slow start to the season, Morett is now looking at the defensive side of the ball. The back line has been a strong point for the team all year, but Morett wants everybody's individual defense to step up. Closing down on individual opponents, and taking up some space are important steps toward that goal, according to Morett.

"There are things we need to focus on, and I think we did well in that aspect [last weekend]," Banta said. "Now we need to continue to improve our game. Char was saying that we need to keep improving and work hard to be ready for Big Ten play."

One improvement for the Lions will come with the return of senior starter Chase Bacon, who has been sidelined with an injury since late in August. Bacon is not expected to play the entire game, which means additional playing time for the now-experienced freshman Laura Cahill, who's been playing in Bacon's absence.

"We're excited to get Chase back," Morett said. "I would say it has been such a long healing process for her, but obviously Laura Cahill has done a good job. Having both Chase and Laura with strong experience in the defensive position, and that's only going to make us a stronger team."

As of late, the Lions have been working on specifics with every game, and have proven to be successful. Two weeks ago, the goal was to attack from the right side against Princeton and all three Penn State goals came from the right side. Last weekend's goal was to maintain possession within the attacking area. The Lions answered by scoring 10 goals in two games. With tonight's game, the Lions are looking to maintain their momentum, preparing for tougher competition.

"Now we have the confidence to know that we can do it going into the Big Ten," Banta said. "We need to keep working hard in practice this week and we look forward to opening the Big Ten."