Let's rewind to last Friday.

The No. 8 Penn State field hockey team (10-2, 2-0) hosted a feisty Michigan team that defeated the Nittany Lions last year. The Lions went into the game with the intention to make up for that loss and they did so with a high-energy 4-0 victory.

This weekend, Penn State is on the other side of that matchup. The Lions will travel to Columbus, Ohio to face the No. 7 Ohio State Buckeyes (8-1, 1-1) on Sunday afternoon.

OSU visited Happy Valley last year for the season's last home game. It was senior day, and the atmosphere was outstanding, Penn State coach Char Morett said. The Lions came out on top, 2-0.

"I'm really excited to play them, especially after last year because that was one of our toughest games," sophomore goalkeeper Jen Beaumont said. "There were a ton of fans at the game, and it was senior day last year so it was an awesome game last year. It should be a really good matchup, they have some good players as well do we."

The Buckeyes have greatly improved from last year and started their season 8-0 until last week. Their only loss of the season came in the form of an upset by No. 11 Indiana University. Before they serve as host the Lions, the Buckeyes will also face No. 2 Wake Forest tomorrow.

Although it seems like OSU is at its most vulnerable point of the season, the Lions will not let that creep into their mindset.

"They're always a tough, very competitive team," senior co-captain Annelise Legel said. "I don't think it will be any different this year. I think they're going to come out for revenge for last year. I think they are going to be a little angry about their loss to Indiana last week. I think they're gonna definitely come out with a little bit of a fire. We know that's what's going to happen so we're just preparing for that in practice."

One player that has had the spotlight as of late is Beaumont, who was praised for her stellar play against Michigan. This week at practice, she has been working on clearing the ball faster to prevent goals scored off rebounds, a Buckeye specialty. Ohio State leads the Big Ten in goals and shots per game.

So far this season, Penn State and Ohio State have been competing for the top two spots in several Big Ten statistical categories. The numbers show that these teams are evenly matched.

"[The Buckeyes] are really balanced," Morett said. "They really keep the field spread, they control the ball, they attack from their back, their middies, and their forwards are very dangerous. I think they are more balanced this year."

With such a tough opponent, the Lions will need to accomplish a goal they have been working on all season. They need to set the tone of the game right away, rather than reactionary playing. Ohio State and its fans are known to provide a difficult atmosphere, and it will be looking to intimidate and make up for its poor showing last year. Most importantly, the Lions will need to keep their composure against a hungry Buckeye team.

"We need to take control of the game as soon as the whistle blows," Legel said. "We need to have a presence immediately and let them know that we're not going to be a pushover. We just need to get in their face right away."