It will be interesting to see just how Penn State's offense responds with the playoff atmosphere -- the Mountain Hawks' stifling defense has allowed just 10 goals in 17 games.
Lehigh goalkeeper Sam Bishop is also ranked 11th in the nation with a goals-against average of 0.659.
Of course, the Mountain Hawks' schedule hasn't exactly been loaded with national powerhouses, either. Lehigh has yet to play a ranked team, whereas the Lions have played four of the top ten teams in the nation.
"We hope [it's an advantage]," Gorman said. "The whole reason is that we want to be the best and play the best teams we can find."
As a matter of fact, only four ranked teams have played a tougher schedule than Penn State. The Lions are most likely the better squad in the matchup, but the team has struggled putting the ball in the back of the net. In the last two games, Penn State has recorded 40 shots -- and only one goal.
"That's either bad shooting or bad stat keeping," Gorman said. "It's just one of those things; we're playing against teams that are packing it back in."
The Lions' defense has stepped up, however, and has been able to atone for the offense's inability to score. Freshman goalkeeper Conrad Taylor has allowed just one goal in his last five contests and was recently named to Top Drawer Soccer's all-freshman first team.
"I really didn't set out in the start of the season for awards, I just wanted to play as well as I could," Taylor said Tuesday, after being informed about the honor. "I just try to make the saves when I'm called upon and when I'm needed."
Lehigh, a member of the Patriot League, has done well this season with a record of 10-5-2 and will be the second Patriot League team to face the Lions -- Bucknell was the other.
Against the Bison, it took Penn State just over 70 minutes to collect its first goal. Bucknell may have loaded the box, but the Lions are anticipating a similar style of defense when they play Lehigh.
They're also expecting the bench to step up.
With Pasi Karppinen out with back spasms, Richard Costanzo doubtful with a hip contusion, Gabe Bernstein still out with a hamstring injury and Markku Viitanen suspended for one game after receiving his fifth card, Penn State's depth will be tested over the weekend.
But if the Lions want to enter the Big Ten Championship tournament without a sputtering offense, they'll have to score -- and score big -- against a Mountain Hawks team that has yet to see any real competition.
