Tomorrow the rugby club hopes to regain its preseason tournament form in a match termed critical by Coach Bruce Hale.

"We need to get back on track," Hale said. The club is 2-2 after last week's 3-0 loss to the Carlisle Men's Club. "I'm not used to being at only .500." However, showing improvement each match is more important then the record, Hale said.

Penn State will play IUP and Pitt tomorrow at the field near the flower gardens. The squad's B side will play Pitt's A side at 11:30 a.m., followed by Penn State's A side in a match against IUP's A side at 1. The club's C and D sides will play at 2:30 and 3:30, respectively.

Hale said the club doesn't expect a strong side from Pitt because this is its first season in about 20 years; however, it expects a "tough, competitive game," against IUP.

Last fall, Penn State defeated IUP easily because of the club's lack of game experience and new coach, Hale said. This time Penn State is preparing to play a better, more well-rounded team, especially after IUP's recent victory over the third-ranked South Pittsburgh Men's Club, he said.

Hale said tomorrow's match will be a "good opportunity against a good college side to see how we measure up. "He added it will help in their preparation for the midwest tournament in April.

For its match, the A side needs to be more motivated and intense, and the players need to maintain a high level in each throughout the game, Hale said.

"We need to go in a lot harder this week," forward Alex DeVicaris said. "Last week made us realize we need to work a lot harder to win.

Practices have been more upbeat and intense, DeVicaris added.

The A and B sides need to perform better during 2nd phase -- getting the ball quicker after a tackle and beginning an attack -- and ball handling, Hale said.

Fortunately, the club has a "very big, experienced set of forwards" in terms of sizes of other college clubs, Hale said.

The squad needs to be more disciplined and work together more efficiently compared to last week, DeVicaris said.

For the first time at home, some of tomorrow's matches will be broadcast on WMAJ radio.

Missing from tomorrow's match will be captain Pete Karmilowicz, who will be playing for the Midwest Under 25 Select Side team. His leadership and ability to run plays efficiently will be missed, Hale said.