With just over 10 minutes remaining against No. 1 Virginia on Saturday, the hopes of the women's lacrosse team looked bleak. The Lady Lions trailed the defending national champions 9-4 when Penn State Coach Julie Williams called a timeout.

"I just told them there's plenty of time and take your time with each goal," Williams said. "Move the ball really well, find the spaces and put the ball in the net."

Heeding the advice of their coach, like any good team does, the No. 11 Lady Lions promptly scored five unanswered goals. Kara Stockett scored two goals in the final 1:46, including the tying goal with 26 seconds remaining to send the game into overtime. The Cavaliers then outscored them 2-1 to walk away with an 11-10 win.

"It was amazing," said Joanne Connelly, who tallied three goals and an assist. "I was standing there in amazement, as was the rest of the team."

And even though they lost, every Lady Lion had a smile on her face when the game ended.

"I've never been so happy with a loss," Connelly said. "It was a great feeling."

The key to the game might have been the first eight minutes of the second half when Virginia tallied three quick goals.

"That's so upsetting when you see that happen," Williams said. "At halftime your saying, 'Come on take it to them right away,' and then they do it to us."

Yesterday, riding a wave of emotion, the Lady Lions almost saw the comeback table turned on them. Leading No. 9 William & Mary 10-3 halfway through the second half, William & Mary scored four quick goals to cut the Lady Lions lead to 10-7.

"They had a breakdown in the middle of the second half, but they were able to pull it out," Williams said. "That's a huge victory."

Suzanne Wienberg scored on a penalty shot with 4:28 remaining to put a halt to William & Mary's comeback attempt.

"That put the nail in the coffin," Williams said. "It certainly psyched our kids up."

Balance scoring was the key to the Lady Lions attack, as nine Lady Lions tallied goals with Sockett and Suzanne Weinberg scoring two apiece.