When faced with adversity, good teams can turn the challenge into a positive. Mediocre or poor teams, on the other hand, often buckle under the pressure. After its first loss on Tuesday, No. 8 Penn State hopes to make adversity its ally when it meets Division III power Hobart tomorrow.

Hobart has a dynasty that is unmatched in intercollegiate athletics. In addition to being ranked No. 1 all season in Division III, the Statesmen have also won 12 consecutive championships.

From the NCAA tournament standpoint, tomorrow's game is critical for the Penn State's chances. A win will keep them in the picture while a loss, especially to a Division III team, could be painful down the line.

"To get in the tournament we need as many wins as possible," Coach Glenn Thiel said. "It's gonna be very difficult. Not too many teams win at Hobart. Hobart has a big-time college lacrosse tradition. They're good everywhere. They'll probably be little more poised on offense than the Towson State kids were. Defensively, they're a little more structured in that they play man-to-man. If they have an Achilles heel it may be in the goal."

Hobart uses two goalies with senior Pat Solomon playing the first half while freshman Kevin Banks minds the cage in the second.

Midfielder Kevin McGinley said that if the Lions are to rebound from Tuesday's devastating loss to fifth-ranked Towson State, they'll have to play as one.

"We got down a couple of goals and it was the first time that we were down," he said. "When guys got the ball everybody wanted to do it themselves, try to be the hero. We didn't play as a team. Basically, we have to play as a team."

The Lions' offense, which completely broke down against Towson State, also has to be more productive. Playmaker Chris Lehman is the team's leading scorer with 26 points (15 goals, 11 assists) while midfielder Kevin McGinley has 16 goals. Pete Makover (eight goals, 13 assists) and Jamie Morse (13 goals, four assists) have also made solid contributions.

"We had a lot of problems on offense against Towson State," Thiel said. "We didn't shoot the ball well. We need more motion with and without the ball, and more offense instead of attacking the goal. We do that too much. We have to shoot better and have a little more stick action."

The Statesmen's trio of attackers -- Cabell Maddux (10 goals, 22 assists), Jeff Pambroni (21 goals, 13 assists) and midfielder Jim Patten (18 goals and five assists) -- has Thiel a little concerned.

"We're gonna have some tough matchups," he said. "Both Maddux and Patten and great creators and great finishers. But they're just two people. We have to worry about everyone."