Losing is not something the Penn State men's club soccer team is accustomed to, and not something it plans to make a habit.

The Nittany Lions, a team that won the 2000 national championship and finished ranked No. 3 last season, played host to Cornell, Michigan and Illinois this past Saturday and Sunday behind the Intramural Building. Penn State started out on a winning high by beating Cornell 1-0 thanks to midfielder/forward Jason Reese's goal with around five minutes left in the second half.

Michigan and Illinois, however, would prove to be more formidable foes, both earning 2-1 victories over the Lions.

Midway through the first half, Michigan senior defender Eric Schueller broke a scoreless tie with a brilliantly placed kick to the upper left corner of the net.

"That kid will never hit a shot that nice again in his life, that's probably the best goal he's ever scored," Penn State defender Elliott Toobin said.

The Lions switched gears after the goal.

"I think we picked it up towards the second half of the first half ... then just completely dominated that team," Toobin said.

Midfielder John Hughes got the Lions on the board with a low bender into the left corner of the goal to knot the score at 1-1.

However, shortly after Hughes' goal, Michigan freshman midfielder Scott Holzwarth broke away from the pack for a one-on-one with the Penn State goalkeeper. He buried the ball in the net for a 2-1 lead, the final margin of victory.

"We do need to finish our chances," said Toobin in regards to the Lions' stagnant offense. "In the Cornell game and the Michigan game we had chances to put the game away early and were not doing it."

The Lions faced Illinois early Sunday morning, completely dominating the flow of the first half, but couldn't capitalize on numerous opportunities.

"That first half [Sunday] was as good of a half probably as we've played all year," Toobin said.

However, the floodgates opened for Illinois to start the second half.

Ryan Stotts headed the ball in off a penalty kick, and then, no more than five minutes later, he busted into the open field and scored again to make it 2-0.

Illinois' goals countered the Lions' aggressive style and dampened their spirits.

"They shouldn't have scored either of them, but that's what happens when you're trying to push people forward trying to score," said Penn State midfielder Esli Feliz.

Feliz finally capitalized on Penn State's ball placement and knocked home a goal, but the Illinois defense locked down and held on for a 2-1 win.

"I think in the second half we got in the mind state that it was okay to just knock the ball around," Toobin said.

"There was just no intensity ... I think we just got too complacent with the fact that we were knocking the ball around."

Consecutive 2-1 losses have the Penn State squad in a difficult position, but it remains optimistic.

"[The season's] been a little disappointing," Toobin said. "We just got to take care of business."