Like the Towson State game was earlier in the year, the No. 19 men's lacrosse team game against the University Maryland-Baltimore County, Saturday at 2 p.m. in Baltimore, is another "must win." However, the Lions (4-3) don't want to duplicate their 16-8 loss to Towson. They want and need a victory.
"They are a very good, quality team," Coach Glenn Thiel said. "Our keynote will be to eliminate mistakes, get good intensity and play really hard."
"Head-to-head we both matchup extremely well," attacker Joel Brous said. "But the key for us to get a big lead early. That would be nice."
A win would be extremely important for post-season chances because the Lions' schedule only gets harder. After the UMBC game, the Lions have just four matches left. Rutgers, Hobart, Bucknell and C.W. Post round out the schedule, and Thiel said Penn State will only be favored in the Bucknell match.
Thiel added that the team has been improving on defense, but is still not as intense as he would like, and still needs work on its extra-man offense.
The Lions should certainly be rested because they have had a week off since their 15-8 defeat of Lafayette. Thiel said this game should be like the Penn State-UMBC games of the past: close, hard-fought and a toss-up. Last year, the Lions defeated UMBC, 12-10, led by midfielder Greg Guarton (three goals) and attacker Chris Lehman (two assists). In fact, Guarton has dominated UMBC, hitting for seven goals in the last two years.
Offensively, the Lions want to push the pace.
"They will try to pressure the ball a lot, so we have to run them really hard." Brous said. "We are definitely a fast-break team and that's what we have to do."
Ted Peddy leads the Penn State attack with 15 goals (17 points) while Pete Makover (15 points) and Jim Laverty (14) are tied for second with 10 goals. Chris Marcus (13) and Lehman (11) also spark the Lions' attack. As always, the defense is led by Paul Gilhool and Paul McKelvey.
The goaltending duties will probably be handled by J.J. Pearl but he has a capable backup in Jamie Morse.
Thiel added for the Lions to gain a victory, "we just have to take care of ourself and play good lacrosse."
