Diamondback Online - The University of Maryland's Independent Daily Student Newspaper

The Terrapin women's lacrosse team might as well be renamed the Chapel Hill Terrapins for the next two weeks.

Tonight, the No. 3 Terps take on Penn State in the ACC/ALC Challenge. It will be the first of three games during the next two weeks in Chapel Hill, N.C. The Terps will play Ohio State on Sunday night as part of the ACC/ALC Challenge and next weekend take on North Carolina.

"We are just focusing on Penn State. And once that game is over, then we will worry about Ohio State," senior midfielder Dana Dobbie said. "We are just going to take it day by day and not worry about being [in Chapel Hill] for an entire month."

The Terps enter the game against Penn State off an idle week. They used the down time to tighten up loose ends and focus on the little things.

But the Terps are raring to get back into game action, especially with just five games left before the ACC tournament. The Terps will have to play those five games in a span of 16 days.

"We are excited," senior "We've had a lot of one-run games that could've gone our way and didn't, so hopefully the law of averages will even things out."

With conference heavyweights North Carolina, Florida State and Clemson already out of the way, the Terps' remaining ACC schedule is promising. Remaining conference opponents have a combined record of 27-43.

"We survived the first part of the schedule, but we need to start stringing some wins together," Rupp said. "That includes weekend games, because it's going to be important down the road, not only for getting to the ACC tournament but also for getting a regional bid."

Another factor in the Terps' favor is that, according to some players, the team is playing its best baseball of the season at the right time.

"I think we're taking steps in the right direction and that's all you can ask," senior second baseman Steve Braun said. "We're getting into the heart of the season and we're making strides. The bunts, pitching and defense are right there."

If Braun is right, and the Terps are "right there," the team could look back at this weekend's series in Blacksburg, Va., as the turning point of its season. If the Terps lose the series they will view it as an opportunity lost.

"We've had some tough luck in conference, but we have to continue to play well," Rupp said. "We're getting to the part of the schedule where we can make a run. If we do our business this weekend, we're in position."

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