With a new rush of momentum fueling the squad after their 18-9 win over Rutgers last weekend, the Penn State men's lacrosse team comes into their game against Fairfield at 2:30 p.m. tomorrow at Jeffrey Field with a growing desire to finish the season with a winning record.

"The last two practices have been some of the better ones we've had," Penn State men's lacrosse coach Glenn Thiel said. "They know they're just playing for a winning record, and they don't have a chance to get to NCAAs, but they really want to win these last two games and go out winners."

The Nittany Lions (5-6, 1-4 in the ECAC) will have no easy road to that winning record. Fairfield (6-6, 2-2 in the Great Western Lacrosse League) is the first unranked team the Nittany Lions have played in eight games, but they still have a solid squad, that coach Thiel called more talented than No. 20 Rutgers.

The Stags are led by goalie C.J. Kemp, ranked No. 6 in the nation in save percentage at .632.

"He's tough," Thiel said. "We're still looking for his weaknesses. We know he's really good at his feet, so we'll probably try and shoot at different levels."

The offense is led by freshman midfielder Tom Werney, who paces the team with 21 goals, and freshman attacker Troy Bamann who leads the Stags with 41 points.

"We're going to put a lot of up-tempo pressure on them," assistant coach Lars Tiffany said. "(Senior defenders) Jan Northrop and Michael Herscha are going to be putting a lot more pressure on their guys, and try to wreck havoc on them."

After their success against Rutgers, the changes made by Thiel to the lineup last week will remain in effect for this week. Senior Eric Wood will remain on the midfield to keep senior Tim Emmick on the attack line.

"We needed to keep him on the line," Wood said. "He's obviously a great finisher, and it's stupid to try and sub him in randomly. I'm happy to be on the midfield to get Tim in the game."

Senior Matt Vallone will be starting in goal, but sophomore Chris Garrity will also probably see some playing time.

"We know the goalies are going to be seeing a lot more pressure," Thiel said. "But that will also be good because if they get to see a lot of shots they can get in a rhythm. Sometimes, it's the games when you're not seeing that many shots that are actually tougher because you're not seeing the ball and all of the sudden they're scoring on you."

The original goal of the season is long since gone, but the seniors on the team are still putting a lot of importance in walking off of Jeffrey Field for the final time next weekend with a winning record.

"I just want that sweet taste in my mouth when I walk on that field the last time," Wood said. "It's really important that we win those last three to finish with a winning record. I want us to go off winners."