There's no place like home. That seems to have been the motto for the Penn State men's lacrosse team this year, at least before last night anyway. Prior to last night's 11-10 nail-biting win against No. 12 Bucknell (7-4) in Lewisburg, the Nittany Lions (6-5) were winless away from the friendly confines of Jeffrey Field in three tries. The first road win brings the Lions' winning streak to four games, something the Lions desperately needed after losing five of six prior to that.

"This win was huge," Penn State midfielder Greg Gurenlian said. "At this point, we feel like we're playing our second season. The first stretch was not what we wanted, but now everyone is on the same page."

Penn State jumped out to a 3-0 lead, but the Bison struck back with four straight goals. After a Penn State timeout, Patrick Heim scored with one second left in the first quarter to tie the game. In the second, the Lions outscored Bucknell, 4-2, taking an 8-6 lead into halftime.

The second half proved to be an exciting one. The Lions built an 11-7 lead, but the Bison scored the next three in the final quarter to come within one goal with 1:20 left in the game. Gurenlian won the faceoff after the Bison's last goal, allowing the Lions to hold on for the one-goal victory. Penn State coach Glenn Thiel emphasized the importance of the faceoff in the seconds just before the play.

"Coach told me he needed me to win it for us on that last faceoff," Gurenlian said. "I knew I was going to win it. Right now, I feel like no one can beat me."

Gurenlian, who has been a beast on faceoffs, and the Penn State defense were the difference in the game. Bucknell had won five of its last six games heading into last night, and Bison attackman Chris Cara posed a dangerous threat to the Lions.

Heading into the game, Cara was first in the nation with 28 assists and second in points with 51. Though he did score the four necessary points he needed to tie Army's Tim Pearson for first all-time in points in the Patriot League, Cara was largely contained by Penn State midfielder Marc Young and defenseman Dan Saltsman.

"Our defense has really improved," Gurenlian said. "Dan Saltsman is a warrior. He is really one of our unsung heroes. Youngy is just a workhorse. He defines our team. He is such a blue-collar guy, and that's what we are, a blue-collar team. Those guys played their butts off tonight."

The win was huge for the Lions' playoff hopes. It was their second win in the last three games against top-15 teams, and they proved that they could go on the road and win.

"Our captains said it best before the game," Gurenlian said. "It's time to win. All we say now is, 'It's time to win,' and 'We believe.' We are going to keep proving everyone wrong and get to the playoffs. No one wants it more than us."