The Penn State men's golf team got an early look at what stands between it and an NCAA East Regional title.

The Nittany Lions came away with an eighth place finish in the NCAA East Fall Preview, held Monday and Tuesday. Virginia Commonwealth hosted the 24-team tournament at the par-72 Ford's Colony Marsh Hawk course. The tournament serves to familiarize the teams with the course, where the NCAA East Regional tournament will be held in May.

The Preview field included teams from four NCAA Districts and contained six teams ranked in the nation's top 50 in the most recent Golfweek poll. Penn State entered the tournament ranked 53rd nationally with one second place tournament finish and two third place finishes on its record this fall.

The Lion golfers completed the two-round tournament posting a total score of 597 (+21), shooting 299 in the first round and 298 in the final round. Virginia Tech won the tournament, finishing at 577 (+1).

Individually for the Lions, redshirt junior Andy Latowski shot rounds of 72 and 74 to finish the tournament in a five-way tie for 14th place. Lion standout Matt Abbott came into the tournament ranked 14th nationally and averaging 70.6 over the Lions' four previous competitions.

Abbott fired rounds of 72 and 77 for a total score of 149 (+5 to place him in an eight-way tie for 31st place. Mike Carter, a freshman making his collegiate debut for the Lions turned in a score of 151 (+7), which tied him for 46th place along with teammate Jeff Turton, a redshirt junior. Also for the Lions, junior Josh Dawes shot rounds of 79 and 77 to tie for 87th place.

The Marsh Hawk course, rated one of Virginia's best, was not in top condition following the recent rainstorms.

"The greens were bad, it was hard to make birdies and sink putts," Latowski said.

"We played OK. We beat teams from our district, which is what we needed to do."

The Lions close out their fall campaign at the Georgetown Invitational Oct. 29-30.

"If we can win this one, it will cap off a great season," Latowski said.