Click the thumbnail to see more photos from the women’s lacrosse 2010 season.
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Spreading the ball around has not been an issue for Penn State’s or Maryland’s women’s lacrosse teams.
In No. 2 Maryland’s (1-0) first game the Terrapins had four hat tricks, or four players with more than three goals in a game. No. 18 Penn State (2-0) has more than eight players with three goals in its first two games.
“We have a lot of weapons this year,” said Penn State head coach Suzanne Isidor. “Maryland has so many great players who could just explode for multiple goal performance.”
On Sunday these two offenses will meet when Maryland plays Penn State at 1 p.m. in Holuba Hall.
The Lions, whose opponents average five points a game, are focused on slowing down Maryland’s offense. Rather than centering on an individual player, the Lions are practicing ‘team defense.’
“We have a lot of different looks so we are able to change up according to the team,” said senior goalie Stephanie Ellis. “They attack a lot of points which is going to challenge our defense.”
Maryland is not the first challenging opponent for Penn State.
In Penn State’s first ranked game, the Lions beat No. 14 Loyola 9-8. During the preseason, Isidor recognized the tough opening schedule and prepared her team accordingly.
“Preseason we had to work extra hard,” said junior midfielder Laura Lesnick. (The tough schedule) is definitely preparing us for the end of the season.
“All games we play are important, but figuring out what works and does not work early in the season helps.”
Lesnick, who currently has three goals, is part of Penn State’s wide array of scorers. Lesnick recognizes the diversity and appreciates the pressure it puts on scouts.
“We are working hard and finding each others tendencies,” said Lesnick. “It is also good for scouting purposes, because you can not really scout one girl.”
Isidor recognized the team’s early success in scoring but believes her team can still improve.
“It is good that we won our first two games, but we made some mistakes in those wins that we need to fix,” said Isidor. “We need to continue getting better each game.”
Including Sunday’s game, Penn State has played Maryland in all of its past eight seasons. The only match Penn State won was a 13-12 away victory in 2005.
“Playing them every year helps us know what we are getting,” said Lesnick. “We have got an idea of what they run.”
Isidor, who is in her 10th year as a Penn State coach, has been there for all eight of the match-ups.
“They did at one point win seven straight National Championships (from 1995 to 2001),” said Isidor. “They have a really strong program, great coaches and great athletes; year after year.
“We are playing arguable the best team in the country.”
Lesnick knows first hand the importance of lacrosse in Maryland. The midfielder grew up in Jarrettsville, Md., but never considered attending Maryland.
“In Maryland you always watched it,” said Lesnick. “Oh yeah. (There is) extra incentive.
“Plus they are number two; everyone wants to take off the big dog.”
