STATE COLLEGE, Pa., March 19, 2002 -- The Penn State women's lacrosse team will make history when it steps on the field to start the game against Johns Hopkins on Wednesday, March 20 at 7:00 p.m. The Lions will become the first current Division I team to play 500 games.

"Penn State has a rich tradition in the sport of women's lacrosse," said Penn State Assistant Athletic Director and former women's lacrosse coach Sue Scheetz. "Former players and coaches laid the foundation for the success and popularity of this sport at Penn State, and in many cases helped the sport grow on a national level."

The Nittany Lions are a combined 361-133-5 since starting competition in 1965. The successful program has produced 90 All-America selections and made 16 NCAA Tournament appearances under the direction of eight different head coaches. Penn State has won the national championship five times, claimed the runners-up spo twice and reached the semifinals on six occasions.

"We are proud of the tradition here at Penn State and we're excited to be a part of this," said current head coach and former four-time Penn State letterwinner Suzanne Isidor. "We are aware of the success and tradition of the teams that have come before us and are still a part of the program today."

Game time is set for 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 20 at Holuba Hall. This will be the first time that Penn State and Johns Hopkins are meeting in the sport of women's lacrosse. The contest was originally scheduled for 5:00 p.m. at Bigler Field but was changed due to weather concerns.