In a game in which there were 19 total goals scored, Penn State's most important player on the field didn't account for one of them.

In the Penn State men's lacrosse team's 14-5 win Tuesday against Mount St. Mary's, senior co-captain Mike Jacober took the field for the first time since the tragic plane crash that took the lives of his father, Jeffrey Jacober; mother, Karen Jacober; and younger brother, Eric Jacober; along with family friends Gregg and Dawn Weingeroff and their son, Leland.

A moment of silence was held before the National Anthem for the victims.

"People have been advising me that going out there would be the best thing, and my parents would have wanted me to do that," Jacober said. "They would have wanted me to get on with my life."

Jacober's presence was a huge boost for a team that was struggling mightily. The Nittany Lions had dropped four in a row prior to this game, having particular trouble in the second half of games.

In this game, however, the Lions were visibly determined throughout, scoring nine of their 14 goals in the second half to put away the Mount; Jacober was the inspiration.

"It's the biggest joy seeing him back out there," co-captain Marc Young said. "He's our captain. He's our friend. We really needed this win for the season and for Mike."

While Jacober failed to tally a point in the sudden offensive explosion for the Lions, he was the spark that got the team going. The Lions had failed to score in double-digits in four of their last five games, but the offense seemed much more focused with Jacober back on the field. He brought the vocal aspect that the team was lacking Saturday against Massachusetts, and he brought excitement to the fans just by being out there.

In the fourth quarter Jacober streaked down the field and ripped a shot, his fifth and final shot of the game, that just glanced off the crossbar. His teammates tried their best to will it in, and everyone at Jeffrey Field was rooting for Jacober to score. The ball failed to find the back of the net, but the simple act of him stepping on the field brought an electricity to the game that has been non-existent this year for the Lions.

"We wanted him to get that goal," Young said. "That would have been really nice. We wanted him to get back here and have some fun, get a smile on his face. It means everything to us to get him back out there."

While it was great for the team and the fans, Jacober's presence on the field was not what it used to be for the senior captain. He was torn on whether he should play. His mind has been wondering if there is something more important he should be doing with his life, but ultimately, he knew this was the right thing to do. Not being with the team just wouldn't feel right.

"It doesn't feel normal, nor will it probably feel normal ever again, but not being with the team last Saturday was very tough" Jacober said. "This team has really become more than the word team. It's a family now. It's my family. Just being with these guys and them being there for me has meant more than words can say."

Jacober being there for his teammates, even in a time of tragedy and heartache, has meant just as much to them.

"He is the calming influence on this team," Young said. "He's family. It's great to have him back because we need him as much as he needs us right now."