The ability of a team to come back from adversity is a true testament to its thirst for winning.

So was the case this past weekend with the Penn State field hockey team.

The Lions split their weekend series with their worst loss of the season against No. 4 Wake Forest, 6-1 on Saturday, but came back the next day to upend James Madison, 4-2.

"It was great to come back, and it showed a lot of physical and mental toughness," Penn State field hockey coach Char Morett said. "I think they took pride in their game."

In the first game against Wake Forest, Penn State capitalized on a first half free stroke put-in by Mary Schaefer to get on top quickly.

Schaefer is a perfect three-for-three on penalty strokes this season.

However, the Demon Deacons put in six unanswered goals the rest of the way, and handed the Lions their second loss of the season.

"Wake Forest is an outstanding team," Morett said. "I think they stepped it up a notch and we didn't. I don't think our girls rose to the challenge."

Morett said the Demon Deacons gave Penn State trouble because of their ability to spread the field.

"I didn't think that we continued to pressure the ball the way we needed to," she said. "At the same time, I think that we were almost like deer in headlights."

The Lions received more bad news after the Wake Forest game when they learned senior defender Kate Bender broke her hand while playing.

On Sunday against James Madison, the Lions faced an uphill battle following the tough loss the previous day.

Penn State came out and shut out James Madison up until the last few minutes of play, but still held onto a 4-2 victory.

"To come back [Sunday] to beat a top ten team at their home, especially after a poor performance, I think it showed a lot of courage," Morett said. "I'm happy that we came back."

Timarie Legel, Heather Conroy and Karin Grap knocked in goals of their own to help the Lions earn the win.