Soccer Coach Barry Gorman picked a strange time to experiment with players in new positions. The day before the soccer team played Indiana, Gorman moved Steve Thomas, the leading returning scorer, to defense.

Thomas will continue in his role as marking back when Penn State (0-2) plays Seton Hall (1-0) at 8 p.m. tomorrow in Hershey. Before the game against Indiana, which Penn State lost 5-3, Thomas never played defense in a game.

"He did very well back there," Gorman said. "He looked more comfortable seeing the play in front of him than playing with his back to the goal. He's comfortable handling the ball and he's strong on head balls and tackles."

"When (Gorman) told me on Saturday, I was a little nervous," Thomas said. "Once the game was going, I was a lot more comfortable than I thought I would be."

The play of Mike Hollingsworth, who moved into the starting lineup at midfield, allowed Gorman to experiment with Thomas. Hollingsworth, a senior who has not yet lettered, is playing as a defensive midfielder.

"When you play defense, you can't lose your head and go off and make a run," Thomas said. "Marking is a matter of working hard to keep the other player where you want him."

Although Indiana scored five goals, Gorman was pleased with the defense of Thomas, Sparks and freshman sweeper Joe Corapi.

"All their goals came from mistakes but that will eventually stop," forward Chris Kelly said.

The defense is again going to be challenged by Seton Hall's attack. The Pirates are led by Carmine Pascarella, who scored 14 goals in 1989, John Silva, who scored 14 goals last year, and Gerson Echeverry, the Big East rookie of the year last season.

After dropping the first two games, Penn State can hardly afford to lose games, especially to teams who are, like Seton Hall, in their region.

"We need a win," Kelly said. "Seton Hall and Rutgers are big games."

Freshman Mike Barninger will start in goal in place of Mike Imm. Imm bruised his ribs against Indiana. The Lions will also be minus junior forward Matt Garey, who injured his shoulder over the weekend. He will be out of action for two weeks.