With only three games in the next three weeks, the men's lacrosse team will have a lot of time on its hands to work on fundamentals and preparation for key games coming up later this month.

And with those three contests against traditionally-tough University of Maryland-Baltimore County, Rutgers and Hobart, that practice time will be put to good use.

"For the defense, (both UMBC and RU) has All-Americans," Paul Gilhool said. "They're quick, strong dodgers so we'll be working on one-on-ones and two-on twos and playing aggressive defense. That's how we play the best is by playing aggressively, winning ground balls and fastbreaking. That's what we have to do in the future to be successful."

"UMBC is always a tough game," Coach Glenn Thiel said. "'We have to play well and eliminate mistakes. We have to realize we're going to be in one of those 10-8 games. If we realize that, I think we can win that and be in good position going into Rutgers."

Sophomore midfielder Pete Makover added the team will continue to work on its passing and fundamentals on offense (cutting to the goal, getting in position to score) so in upcoming games, the Lions take advantage of more opportunities.

-- Even with its 4-3 record, No. 19 Penn State believes team chemistry and cohesion are starting to take effect with six regular-season games remaining.

The attitude after last Wednesday's 16-8 defeat at Towson State was far different than following that Saturday's 15-8 victory against Lafayette. With the encouragement from the Lafayette game, the team believes it has made its season turnaround.

"Nothing seemed to click (against Towson); we were messing up things," Makover said. (Against the Leopards) the guys just seem to relax a little more. It was obviously more fun than (Towson).

"I don't think we've reached our potential yet, but I think things will start falling into place now."

-- At the halfway point of the season, Penn State is led in scoring and goals by senior attacker Ted Peddy (17 points, 15 goals). He is followed by Makover (15 points), senior midfielder Jim Laverty (14) and sophomore midfielder Chris Marcus (13). Second-year sophomore Chris Lehman is the team's assist leader with seven.

In goal, juniors J.J. Pearl and Jamie Morse have split time between the posts this season, with Pearl saving 55 shots (56 percent save percentage) and Morse stopping 44 (72 percent).