Humbled Lehigh has new attitude

By MICHAEL PALM
Collegian Sports Writer

Last year, the Lehigh women's lacrosse team was feeling pretty good. The team was off to a 3-1 start. Then Penn State came to town.

The result wasn't pretty for the Engineers, who entered the game cocky from their early season success, Lehigh Assistant Coach Jackie Mascher said. Penn State left town with an 18-3 win.

Lehigh (4-1) will enter today's game with a similar record, but a much different attitude. The team visits Penn State at 4 p.m. at Lady Lion Field or Holuba Field.

"They have to play pretty flawlessly to have a good showing against Penn State," Mascher said.

Lehigh returns 13 letterwinners -- including five seniors -- so the team is more experienced than the brash squad which faced the Lady Lions last year.

The Engineers have scored an average of 14.2 goals a game through five games, while allowing 7.8 goals per game.

Penn State, on the other hand, had been humbled by three losses to start the season. The Lady Lions have rebounded, winning their last two games over the weekend.

"I think we realized how good a team we can be," Lady Lion co-captain Jill Pearsall said. "It gave us back our confidence."

The Lady Lions average only 6.2 goals, while allowing 6.6 goals against.

Pearsall said Penn State is expecting a tougher game than last year from Lehigh. She added it will take a total team effort to beat the Engineers.

However, Lehigh isn't ready to throw in the towel in anticipation of the tough game.

Goals for the game, Mascher said, include all-out hustle, no stupid turnovers, and double-teaming the person with the ball.

"We don't want to do a lot of running," she said. "That'll be stupid against Penn State."