Attackman Chris Lehman scored three goals and Coach Glenn Thiel picked up his 100th victory as No. 9 Penn State smothered Lafayette, 11-7, Saturday afternoon.

In a game played under horrendous weather conditions, the Lions (5-0) utilized their superior talent to come out on top. Nevertheless, Thiel was hoping for a better performance.

"We didn't shoot well," he said. "We were high and wide or we hit the goal. We sort of kept them in the game for a while. We played well enough to win. With 50-something shots, we should have had five, six more goals."

Penn State's higher skill level and experience with bad weather contributed to the win, midfielder Pete Makover said.

"It was just that we were a better team," Makover said. "We're also used to playing in this kind of weather. We practice in the mud flats a lot so we're use to it."

With two assists, Makover upped his team-leading assist total to 10. He also scored twice. Fellow midfielder Kevin McGinley also scored twice and added an assist.

The Lehman-McGinley-Makover trio has combined for 51 points in five games. McGinley's 12 goals lead the team while Makover and Lehman are the top scorers with 18 points. Goalie J.J. Pearl, who also had a hard day's work, finished with 15 saves.

"He's a very talented shooter, a good stickhandler," Thiel said of McGinley. "He's one guy who has the ability to put the ball anywhere he wants to. He's a good cutter."

Playtime is now over for the Lions, however, and Thiel knows it. Speaking of Thiel, as a coach he has done it all. In 1972 he led Virginia to the NCAA championship and over the past 14 seasons he has turned a laughable program into a respectable contender.

Now, Thiel hopes to become the first Penn State coach to take his team to the NCAA tournament. With critical matchups against University of Maryland-Baltimore County next Saturday and No. 5 Towson State, Rutgers and Division III power Hobart in the coming weeks, the Lions must play their best.

"Now is when we have to have the confidence," Thiel said. "If we're a little off, then we're gonna lose."