After nine games trying to perfect its squad, the No. 8 Penn State women's field hockey team will finally begin its Big Ten schedule this weekend.

With a title to defend and a winning streak on the line, the Nittany Lions (7-2) will meet the Michigan State Spartans (3-6) at 1:30 p.m. tomorrow in East Lansing.

Four other Big Ten teams will also open up their schedules this weekend. Northwestern and Indiana will play today, as well as Michigan and Iowa. Penn State, which was ranked No. 7 in the preseason polls and was named the top team in the Big Ten, has a lot riding on its shoulders going into this game.

"The Big Ten is wide open. The conference is always competitive, and we had a great run last year," Penn State women's field hockey coach Char Morett said. "We had some momentum going into it, and that's what I'd like to see."

The Lions definitely have the momentum as they begin their return to the top of the Big Ten as the conference season begins.

Riding a seven-game winning streak and scoring 13 goals in the past three games, Penn State should have no problems when it takes on the Spartans.

In last year's matchup, Penn State pulled out a late-game victory, scoring the go-ahead goal in the 53rd minute and extending its streak to 14 games. This year, however, the Lions are stronger on paper and Michigan State could be just another notch in their belt.

"We have one of the most competitive conferences in the country so we always look forward to that first Big Ten game," assistant coach Lisa Bervinchak-Love. "MSU is always a great challenge for us and we're excited to finally get the Big Ten going."

The parallels between the 2005 and 2006 Lions are obvious. Penn State opened its Big Ten schedule the same weekend last year but was riding a nine-game winning streak. Junior Shaun Banta had eight goals, one less than the nine she's scored this year.

On the field the Lions are a different team. Gone is last year's Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year Natalie Berrena.

Banta and sophomore Allison Scola, however, have stepped up their intensity on the field and are leading the team in goals scored.

"This team is a little bit more consistent. We are scoring on corners a lot more than last year. So, if we keep that consistency and keep playing the way we are, we can win," senior Annelise Legel said. "We are just really excited for Big Ten play. We are just working on being better than yesterday."

Michigan State has a new look on the sidelines this year. Last year's head coach Michele Madison left the Spartans to become the head coach at Virginia. Former assistant coach Rolf van der Kerkhof became the head coach this year.

With different teams on each side, tomorrow's game could prove to be an great start to the Big Ten slate.

"Penn State has a rich tradition of being successful as a field hockey team and they are going into this season being the defending Big Ten champs so they probably want to continue their role," Kerkhof said. "But it's a new season. We are preparing for Penn State like they are preparing for us and we will see who will play as a team for 70 minutes."