The number-two nationally ranked Dartmouth women's lacrosse team will look to hold onto its undefeated record this weekend when it travels to Pennsylvania to face Penn State and the University of Pennsylvania.
Penn State, a team that won six of eight past games against Dartmouth, will challenge the 4-0 Big Green. But Dartmouth won the last two match-ups, including a close 8-7 victory last year. Captain Lauren Holleran '95 led the team with five goals and two assists in last year's contest.
Penn State is currently 5-3. "They are a very dangerous team, they had some early losses but seem to be getting things together now," Coach Amy Patton said. "They willbe up for the game since we have beaten them the last two years and they need a big win."
Penn has a 2-5 record but Patton said, "They have some good athletes on their team and of course will be up for the game since it is an Ivy.If we come out and play the way that we can we should have no problem with them."
This weekend is important because of Penn State's top 10 ranking and Penn being an Ivy opponent. Dartmouth is currently 1-0 in the Ivy League.
"I think that the challenge for us at this point is to get up for every game and realize that each game is very important, no one more so than any other," Patton said.
"There is no more pressure on us than what we normally feel with each game with the number two ranking, you should feel some sort of pressure every game that you play and know that as a team you just want to play well and everything else will fall into place."