Mary Ann Foley took the ball from Tami Worley at the side of the net halfway through the first half of yesterday's women's lacrosse game against Colgate. Less than a second later, the ball was past frozen goalie Gail Petteruti for Foley's third score of the game.

Foley added three more goals for the double hat-trick, leading the Lady Lions to a 22-3 rout. Saturday the team also got six goals from the junior, who again led the squad to an impressive win (18-8 over James Madison).

She now has 17 goals for Penn State (3-0) and is beginning to assume the offensive leadership Coach Sue Scheetz expects from her. Last year, Foley tallied 31 goals for the whole season.

"One key to our season is Mary Ann Foley," Scheetz said. "There's some pressure, but she's been here three years. She has to become a major contributor to this team."

After three games last year, Foley had five goals and seven points, as Worley was the Penn State offense, scoring 16 of the team's first 29 goals. The two have been playing together since their high school days at Marple Newtown, and one can tell by watching their play. Over the weekend, for example, Worley assisted on four of Foley's goals, while Foley returned the favor on one of Worley's.

While Foley couldn't pinpoint the reason her scoring is up, it may be due in part to Worley. Worley, an All-America attack wing, draws two or three defenders every time she gets the ball around the goal. Foley, the third home, is often not guarded as closely, and Worley can get the ball to her for the shot.

"Last year, I thought my performance was . . . okay," Foley said. "A goal of mine (this year) was to do more for the team: look for the open man and become more of a scorer."

Through three games she hasn't had to find the open player because, more often than not, she is the open player. She is taking shots she may not have taken last year and is going to the net with more self-assurance.

"She's more confident in herself," Worley said. "She's getting open a lot more, and she's really psyched up."

Foley and the rest of the players were more than psyched Saturday as Penn State avenged a 6-5 loss last year to JMU. Three players had at least four goals -- Foley (six), Worley (five) and Diane Whipple (four) -- as the game was a blowout by halftime. Signs of a balanced offense began to show.

"We played (JMU) with more enthusiasm this year," Scheetz said. "We went there last year assuming we'd win. We came out without fire and spark; we thought we could do anything. (Saturday) we made things happen."

Jamie Little scored for the Dukes to cut the Lady Lions's lead to 3-1. Just as the visitors were beginning to press the Penn State defense, a turnover sent the ball upfield. Worley connected with Foley for the junior's first goal of the day. She added another just 41 seconds later for a four-goal lead. With 12 seconds left in the half, Foley completed her hat-trick.

Yesterday she didn't need the entire half to get three goals. Penn State controlled the opening draw, and Foley put the team ahead 1-0 just 27 seconds into the game. By 12:35 she had her three goals. Worley and Whipple joined Foley with three, as the trio combined for ten goals before intermission. Guess who got her fourth just before the half ended.

"I don't think I'm doing anything differently," Foley said, "it's just happening. This is probably my hottest streak; it never happened before (at PSU). It more likely would have happened in high school."

Worley likes seeing everyone contributing to the offense, as eight different players have scored goals this year. It makes the team even more dangerous because defenses will not be able to afford to key on Worley as much.

"It's great," Worley said. "I'm glad others are scoring because now no other team can key on any one player."

Defenses are going to have to adjust with Foley playing so well, and that will open things up for Worley again. She'll need those extra openings, too.

Thanks to her high school buddy, Worley is second on the team in goals for the first time since 1987, and Foley has shown no signs of letting up.