The win gave the team a feeling of getting its priorities in order. The 1998 edition of the Lions posted a horrible road record.

It was so disappointing to the team that this year's squad made a winning road record one of its top priorities for the 1999 season.

"We just fell apart last year at away meets," Penn State All-American Ron Roeder said. "It was real great to win our first away meet of the season."

The Lions performed well Saturday night as they attempted to get a road win. All-Americans Roeder and Brandon Stefaniak had stellar performances. Roeder captured first-place finishes on the still rings and parallel bars. He also took a second-place finish on the floor exercise. Stefaniak won first place on the pommel horse.

Roeder's performance proved to be decisive as UMass junior Jeff LaVallee had a splendid showing, winning two individual events and earning a second place in another to keep things close.

Penn State head coach Randy Jepson was impressed with most of his team's showing.

"None of our scores were below a 9.5," said Jepson. "Some of our individuals really came through. Brandon Stefaniak looked great on the pommel horse. Ron (Roeder) looked really good on the rings. I saw a lot of fight in these guys this past weekend."

Stefaniak and Roeder's performances were good enough to give them No. 1 rankings in their events (Roeder on rings, Stefaniak on the pommel horse). Jepson also pointed out that the team would need work on its floor exercise.

"It's definitely harder to perform well on the road," Stefaniak said. "But when you hit well, your confidence goes up. This road win will keep the momentum going through the season."

Hitting well, or landing well, was a goal Jepson had stressed going into the contest. His team did not let him down, as it amassed an 80 percent hit ratio.