It is the game that will define their season. Tomorrow at 1 p.m. on the East Campus Fields -- weather permitting -- the Penn State men's rugby team will go up against arch-rival Navy.

Navy has been the Ruggers' nemesis, beating them twice last season.

This season has been up and down for the Ruggers. They have shown flashes of brilliance with wins against IUP and Towson. But they've also had moments of heartache, such as their disappointing losses to Ohio State University and their tie with Loyola.

Beating Navy would not only define whether the Ruggers had a successful or mediocre season and restore Rugger pride, but their National Championship hopes may rest on this game.

"Unless we beat Navy it won't be a good season," Penn State rugby captain Jason Fisher said. "If we beat Navy we'll win the league and get home advantage for the MARFU tournament."

Personal motivation is something the Ruggers also have.

It's the last game of the season for fifth-year seniors Michael McGeachy and Sean Umstead, who will be graduating in the spring. Both played against Navy their freshman and junior seasons at home and won twice. Those are sweet memories that they haven't relived in awhile.

"Navy is our biggest rival," Umstead said. "When we end the season we ask ourselves whether we beat Navy."

Umstead and McGeachy plan to lead by example and show the rest of the team how important a win against Navy would be not only for them but also the team. They hope it will boost the team.

"Navy always brings the best out of me," McGeachy said.

After a win that boosted the Ruggers' confidence last week against Towson, in which the Ruggers rated their performance at an eight out of 10, an 11 out of 10 will be what is needed against Navy.

"The guys are so ready for this game that we are not going to get off to a slow start," Umstead said.

Getting off to a slow start is a luxury the Ruggers can't afford. In their games against Navy last year, the Ruggers fell behind early then staged comebacks, but they were too late. It was not only a problem then; even this season the Ruggers have been plagued by slow starts.

"I predict the first hit will be a big hit," McGeachy said. "It's a team that you want to attack."

Offensively, the Ruggers seem to be in sync, as they have put up 81, 42 and 35 points in their last three games. It is defense the Ruggers are a little worried about, especially since they will be facing a physically bigger Navy side.

"They are a very disciplined team," Fisher said. "We have to be patient and wait for them to make mistakes."

The Ruggers know that to win they must leave everything on the field. Anything less won't be good enough.

"I'll be very disappointed with myself, if I jog off the field," McGeachy said. "It means I have not put in the effort that I should."

Ending the season with a loss to Navy would not only devastate the Ruggers, it would be a scar that would take a very long time to heal.