One exhibition match against No. 1 Johns Hopkins allowed them to see how they matched up against one of the NCAA's best, the other exhibition match against Lehigh helped them test how deep the waters were on their own sideline.

Now, the No. 17 Penn State men's lacrosse team will have one game to make a first impression -- this time for real, starting tomorrow at No. 20 Ohio State University.

The Nittany Lions, for one, are ready to make it a good one.

"We're excited about where we are," Penn State men's lacrosse coach Glenn Thiel said.

They should be, with the return of leading scoring Nate Whitaker and stalwarts senior Rob Bateman and junior Will Jones, who were both named to the 2004 ECAC preseason All-League team.

Pivotal to the success of the Lions in this weekend's game -- and for the rest of the season, for that matter -- will be the defense, led by long-stick midfielder Bateman. In a January vote, Bateman was named the ECAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.

More importantly, he will be called upon to control the game in front of the Lions' net, keeping easy scoring opportunities away from first-year starter in net Josh LaGrow.

With the loss of standout goalie Chris Garrity, it will be trial by fire for the junior goalie, starting with fire from Ohio State's leading scoring from a year ago, senior attacker Anthony Gilardi.

"How he fields the pressure and fire power will have a lot to do with the team's success and how he does will be key," Thiel said.

It will be key because the Lions may find a wall in the Buckeyes' net in the form of four-year starter and senior Tony Russo, who was the 2003 Great Western Lacrosse League Player of the Year.

However, Thiel is confident, especially with midfielders Jones and Will Cutler, as well as Whitaker, who Thiel said will be used more behind the net than on the wing.

"We have some really good ability at the midfield position," Thiel said. "Will Jones and Will Cutler can threaten the cage, and Jones has proven he can win some games."

Which is something they hope this can due starting tomorrow -- for the first time.

-- By Joel Rineer