There will be a lot more at stake in the newest edition of Penn State-Rutgers lacrosse rivalry, taking place at 2 p.m. tomorrow in Piscataway, N.J., than just a victory.

In addition to both teams needing victories to keep any shot of making the NCAA Tournament, there will be personal battles for pride waged on the No. 16 Scarlet Knights' astroturf field as well.

The two coaches, Penn State's Glenn Thiel and Rutgers' Tom Hayes, know each other so well thatnothing less than a nailbiter between their two squads can be expected.

To make it even more intriguing, Hayes is a former Lions' player, as well as Thiel.

Hayes was a two-time honorable mention All-American midfielder in 1961 and 1962, and graduated in 1963. Thiel was also a midfielder during his Penn State career from 1964-1966, and both played under Thiel's dad, Nick.

"Initially, I saw going against Penn State as very exciting," Hayes recalled. "Now, I just see it as another tough game. But I still enjoy coming back to State College every other year to see some old friends."

"It is a very good rivalry," Thiel added. "We are great friends off the field but come game time, he's very intense and he'll cut your throat if he has to."

In last year's contest in Happy Valley, Hayes was not given a happy homecoming. Penn State broke a 10-game losing streak with the Scarlet Knights, getting an 11-10 win at Jeffrey Field.

This time around, both teams will be bringing a lot of youth to the field.

"This is still a young team," Hayes said. "We started five freshmen last year and at this point, continuity has been a thing we need to have. With a young club, things are constantly changing."

For the No. 20 Lions, thier lack of experience at certain positions could be a deciding factor in the contest.

"The attack for Rutgers will be very good," Thiel said. "Also, (senior defenseman) Will Kastroll has had mono and has just been cleared to practice. (All-American defenseman) Alex Schoonmaker has started to practice this week, and he could be able see some action. But we are still young at the defensive end and the goalies are starting to put it together."

Many of the players on both squads have also faced one another at other times of the year, not just during the NCAA spring season.

"Rutgers has a lot of people on their team that considers Penn State and vice versa," Thiel said. "These guys also play each other in summer leagues, so this is an ongoing rivlary."

From the players' prospectives, this game has always been one to look forward to.

"Rutgers is probably our biggest rivalry and I've known about it since high school when my brother played for Penn State," tri-captain Pete Makover said. "This game is always very emotional and the scores are always very close."