Having a short week between games is usually considered a disadvantage. There is no time to prepare for the next opponent and work on weaknesses. On the flip side, a short week can keep players relaxed and clear their heads, even if it's just for 60 minutes.

A short week is exactly what the Penn State men's lacrosse team will get when it takes on Mount St. Mary's (4-3) at 7:30 tonight at Jeffrey Field. After a tiring week of travel and grieving that ended with an 18-8 loss Saturday to No. 13 Massachusetts, the Nittany Lions (2-5) are happy to get right back on the field to play.

"We're glad we have a game during the week," Penn State coach Glenn Thiel said. "The kids would rather play than practice, anyway. It gives us a chance to put the helmets on and get back at it."

The Lions and the Mount are two teams headed in opposite directions. Penn State has dropped five of its last six games, including four in a row, while Mount St. Mary's has won four of its last five. During those six games, the Lions are being outshot by the opposition, 221-186, and outscored, 76-47. They have scored in double figures only twice during that streak, and have lost the ground ball battle, 204-187. Their opponents have controlled the ball, making things tough on the defense and limiting the Lions' offensive chances.

"We need to get tougher with the ball," Thiel said. "We have to hold possessions and get better on ground balls."

Though the Mount has been outshot 167-166 in its last five games, it has outscored its opponents, 57-50, and has been dominant in ground balls, holding a 184-139 edge on the opposition. Take out a 21-5 drubbing at the hands of No. 2 Duke, and the Mount's numbers are even more impressive. Excluding that game, the Mount has outshot and outscored the opponent 146-124 and 52-29, respectively.

Duke is the only common opponent between Penn State and Mount St. Mary's, and the numbers were fairly similar against the Blue Devils. The Lions lost 12-2 and were outshot, 40-22. The Mount, in its 21-5 defeat, was outshot 43-21. With the recent struggles and hardship the team has gone through in the past week-plus, Penn State could desperately use a win. The Penn State coaching staff is not exactly sure how the team will respond after the tough loss to Massachusetts that followed a week of tragedy, and not sure how to keep the team focused.

"The guys have lots on their minds," Thiel said. "It's difficult for them right now. We as coaches are just trying to keep the team together, but we don't have an answer to everything. We are just going to go out on the field and do the best we can."