Five sets, five breaks. That's how the men's gymnastics team started out Saturday afternoon on its first and best event, the pommel horse. That left Mark Sohn to once again perform what the Rec Hall crowd expects, perfection.

Sohn nailed once again a 10 and the Lions, led by Mike Masucci's first place in the all-around, defeated Navy 279.5-263.95. Despite the win, the Lions saw their team score drop 1.8 points from last week.

Coach Karl Schier attributed some of the blame for the weak start to the strange format of competing also with the women's team. The format included three simultaneous events and about a half hour break after the vault.

"That was not a normal pommel horse for us today," Schier said. "We have to guard against this meet situation in the future and these young men have got to learn that lesson. We still have some men that aren't hitting their routines, though, and we have to work on that."

The pommel horse, because of the balance involved, is a difficult event at any time. But it is even more difficult to start a meet on because if the performer is even a little bit shaky, it will cost him, gymnast Wayne Cowden said. All this makes it even more impressive the job Sohn turns in every week.

"Nothing can stop Mark, he always hits," Cowden said.

"Sohn is definitely on top of his routine," Schier said. "This routine had even more in it than last week, and he did have a little trouble, but he can just cover it up and make it seem a part of the routine."

The Lions recovered after the pommel horse to turn in strong events on the rings and the high bar. Cowden turned in a 9.85 to again capture first place on the rings and he was followed by Adam Carton and Mike Reichenbach who both scored 9.65.

"We always hit on rings," Cowden said. "I had a little problem with a sinus infection, but I felt strong for the routine and hit it. You just have to work through these things."

The team's performance also included a strong finish on high bar, where last week three of the six performers fell off. This time five of six hit their routines, and Cowden again led the way, turning in a 9.7.

The all-around featured another battle between Carton, Masucci and Cowden, with Masucci (56.40) taking first and Carton (55.95) and Cowden (55.65) second and third, respectively.

"I wouldn't be surprised if we have four different all-arounders in our four home meets this year and that's including Jamie Downer, who can do better than he did," Schier said. "Today, Mike had a break on the horse, but then you could feel his program slipping into place.

"I was glad to finally do well," Masucci said. "I was mad at myself at the last two meets after I fell off the high bar. When I broke on the horse today, I just became a lot more focused."

Masucci, Carton and Cowden all practice and work together in the gym, which helps come meet time. The competition is key in helping each improve their routines, Schier said.

"The way we push each other in the gym is great," Masucci said. "You have to focus on your job and just do the best you can do."

The Lions now get set for next week's meet at Temple, where Navy will take part again.

"I didn't expect a 281 last week and a 279 today -- in these conditions that's pretty good," Schier said. "I don't know if we could have expected a complete team hit."