If the Penn State men's lacrosse team's first scrimmage against Gettysburg proved anything, it showed that the Nittany Lions will not be lacking in scoring ability in the 2001 season.

The Nittany Lions put 13 points on the board in the scrimmage despite losing their top scorer of the 2000 season, Don Mayerhofer. Mayerhofer was second on the team in goals with 20, first in assists with 28, and first in total points with 48.

Fortunately for the Lions, Mayerhofer was the only starter to graduate, leaving them a good bit of experience in all positions including the front line. Junior Will Driscoll, who finished second on the team in scoring last season is the leading returner.

Driscoll converted to attacker from midfield last season, and responded well with 28 goals to lead all scorers, and 35 total points on the season, which leads all returnees. His outstanding season was highlighted by his performance against Rutgers, in which he went wild on the Scarlet Knights with six goals.

"Driscoll is making great strides as a scorer," coach Glenn Thiel said. "He's been working a lot on his conditioning this season."

Driscoll has done a lot to try to open up his game in the offseason.

"I came into the fall season a little bit overweight," Driscoll said. "I've just had to work on my athleticism a lot. Instead of just staying in the crease, I want to be able to move around a lot more, and improve my overall game."

Following in Driscoll's footsteps will be senior captain Eric Wood. Wood was an ECAC all-star at midfield last year, and contributed a lot to the Lions offense with 14 goals and 18 assists to finish third on the team with 32 points. He will now be expected to add a lot more offensively, as he makes the move to attacker.

"Wood's going to be the leader of the attack," assistant coach Ken Willie said. "He's going to be like the quarterback out there. He's had no problems stepping in to the role as attacker, and he's really bringing the attack line along. It's like having another coach on the field. He's really adjusted well, and has become a great leader."

Wood and Driscoll are expected fit well together as a one-two punch. Wood is expected to draw a lot of defenders, and Driscoll is a specialist in finding seems in the defense and scoring in the crease.

Thiel will have to opportunity to chose from a number of experienced individuals to find a third starter on the line. Included in that group is senior Tim Emmick, who occasionally started last year and played in 13 of the Lions 14 games. He finished his junior season with 13 goals and 17 total points, third among attackers.

Sophomore Luke Ogelsby received moderate playing time in his first year on the squad and finished the season with seven goals. He and classmate Charlie Perry, who played in just six games last season, will rotate into the third spot with Emmick.

All three looked impressive in the Nittany Lions' scrimmage against Gettysburg last weekend. Perry and Oglesby each scored two goals, and Emmick added one.

The Nittany Lions expect their experience to get them a good start to the season.

"I think a big key is getting out to a good start," Driscoll said. "We've got a lot of experience, which will serve as a good foundation. If we get a good start who knows how far we can go."

"It's just a matter of putting things into place. Hopefully, we'll be a much more explosive offensive team."