Penn State poses test to F. Hockey

Led by high-scoringLed by high-scoringforward Tara Maguire, theLed by high-scoringforward Tara Maguire, thenationally ranked NittanyLed by high-scoringforward Tara Maguire, thenationally ranked NittanyLions are coming to Penn. Eight days afterward, the Penn field hockey team has another chance to knock off a nationally ranked field hockey squad. Last Tuesday, the Quakers lost 3-0 to the No. 5 Maryland Terrapins -- a much better finish than many had predicted. Tonight the Penn State Nittany Lions invade Franklin Field to take on the Quakers (6-8) at 7:00 p.m. Although a Penn victory is not expected, no one would have predicted the Quakers to hold Maryland to just three goals either. Penn State, although not as strong as Maryland this year, has been a perennial top-ten ranked team and is in the top twenty this year. "They're a very good squad," Penn coach Val Cloud said. "They play in a very different conference. The big ten is a very tough hockey conference." The Quakers know that the contest will be a severe challenge to them -- and a strong performance will be necessary for them to have a chance to win. "We're very excited to play Penn State," senior co-captain Curran Kelly said. "We won't be hesitant. We're hoping its a match like Maryland. I hope we can step up like we did against Maryland, [then] maybe we could get a win out of this." The Quakers are one game under .500 with three games remaining and they need a win if they hope to finish with a winning record. As unlikely as many pundits would see it, Penn has shown it can play on Penn State's level. "The potential is there, we just have to come out strong," Kelly said. The Quakers are still looking for consistency in a season full of streaky play. They already have two three-game losing streaks and a three-game winning streak. Penn has raised its level of play against opponents such as Temple and Maryland, but also has faltered when facing lesser foes. They would like to follow their weekend win against Brown with a solid showing against the Nittany Lions. "Any consistency in the end would be a big plus to carry us forward," Cloud said. "I'm expecting us to do well, but we're going to have our hands full." On defense the Quakers will be watching out for the Nittany Lions' leading scorer, forward Tara Maguire, who is a fifth-year senior with 21 goals and 13 assists this year. She barely missed the trip to Atlanta last year, as she made it all the way to the final cut of the United States Olympic squad. Penn is coming off a strong performance against Brown, defeating the Bears 2-1. The win was keyed by junior forward Tara Childs' two goals -- the last one, the game winner in the second half, on a penalty shot. The victory was the Quakers' second straight in Ivy play, after opening the season with two Ancient Eight losses. Penn, however, has not as much success in obtaining victories in recent out-of-league contests. The Quakers have lost to their last four non-Ivy opponents, the most recent one being a disappointing 3-1 defeat last Thursday to Delaware. In fact, Penn's last non-league victory was a 5-1 downing of Urinus on October 2. Although Penn will have home field advantage, a large Penn State contingent is also expected at Franklin Field tonight as many PSU players are from the Philadelphia area. The turnout is expected to be one of the largest of the season. And if the Quakers pull together they should be able to give the Nittany Lions a run for their money.