Post-game salsa music has never been so sweet.

On a Saturday matinee under the bitter cold, snowy realities of Jeffrey Field, the No. 16 Penn State women's lacrosse team (4-6) clutched their most important victory of the year when they broke a four-game losing streak and knocked off the No. 3 Loyola Greyhounds (8-2) 10-9. The victory brought some Latin harmonies that seemed to warm up everyone after the game.

"It's a fresh start to our season," said sophomore Katie Jeschke, who played like a woman possessed, netting five scores for the Nittany Lions.

"It's just an awesome feeling playing in a game like that. You don't think you're tired. You don't think you need water. You just want to play."

Jeschke and her teammates performed all day. Penn State played their best 60 minutes of the year as they picked up loose balls, played a wicked defense, and attacked on the other end without fear.

"Penn State had excitement today," Loyola coach Diane Geppi-Aikens said. "They were excited knowing they had to win. Penn State played excellent today, you can't take anything from that."

The key sequence of the game came after the halftime intermission. Trailing 6-5 at the break, Penn State came out for the second half on a mission.

First it was senior Brooke Bailey, as she tied the game up at six just 15 seconds into the second stanza.

Then senior Colleen O'Hara hit Jeschke with a pass as she was curling from behind the net. Jeschke fired it in stride without hesitation, and gave the Lions a 7-6 advantage.

On the other end goalie Lee Tortorelli turned away what seemed to be a sure goal for Loyola from point blank range. The rejection was one of many by the freshman between the nets.

All the sudden Penn State was up 10-6 after a pair of Jeschke goals and a rebound score from freshman Kristen Burke with just over 15 minutes remaining. The Lions were dominating Loyola, but nothing comes easy against the No. 3 program in the nation.

Penn State was unable to take significant time off the clock, giving the Greyhounds numerous opportunities to cut the lead. Loyola managed to put in three scores to make it a 10-9 game.

With 30 seconds remaining Loyola had a free position close to the Penn State net. The defense that had stepped up all day once again turned away a Loyola attacker as they swarmed the ball, forcing Loyola to fire an off-balanced shot that had clearly been altered. The denial was one of many down the stretch for Penn State. Loyola had numerous chances to score more than the three goals they netted down the stretch, but a pressure defense by the Lions was stellar.

"This was a huge win. We were pretty down after Saturday's loss (15-7 at North Carolina)," Penn State head coach Suzanne Isidor said. "We were taking this as a new season."

Loyola senior Suzanne Eyler scored fives goals in a losing effort. For Penn State, O'Hara, along with sophomores Stephanie Curnoles and Jamie Donahue also added goals for Penn State. Next up for the Lions will be No. 14 Dartmouth (4-2).

"I told the team 'We're back,' " Isidor said. "I'm just going to smile all day long."