If you looked at some of the numbers for the No. 10 Penn State women's lacrosse team -- a 7-3 record, a 120-81 scoring advantage over its opponents and no back-to-back losses -- you might think that 2007 has been a success thus far.

But numbers lie.

In fact, despite a hot start, the Nittany Lions are facing a potential turning point in their season and need to get back on course immediately if they want to attain their goal of reaching the postseason.

Following a 16-5 defeat against No. 11 Penn on Tuesday, there was confusion, dejection, even tears. However, there were two things noticeably absent: a legitimate explanation for the collapse and a real plan to cure what's been ailing the Lions.

"I don't think it was one particular person, it was just that everyone didn't step up," sophomore midfielder Aly Carter said. "We look to the seniors, and I think at this point in our season, we may need to look to underclassmen to step up."

For a team that has a foundation of senior leadership and bolstered by its overall depth, the Penn game exposed some gaping holes that might be shot wide open by the Lions' upcoming opponents.

Penn State has shown it can annihilate the Loyolas and Temples of the world, but the team has stumbled to a 1-3 record against ranked opponents. That mark might get even worse when the Lions will play No. 2 North Carolina and No. 3 Maryland at home this weekend before traveling to No. 1 Northwestern the following Saturday.

"We have nothing to lose in these games," senior attacker Karen Long said. "We just have to get our respect back and play our game."

Well, nothing to lose might be an understatement. Penn State has everything to lose and everything to gain in the next 10 days, be it a midseason collapse or a complete resurrection.

If the Lions lose the next three games, they'll be 7-6 (after a 7-2 start), and their season will be on life support. That's a big difference from 8-5, which will be their record if they can muster up even one victory. And two out of three ... well, everyone knows that ain't bad.

Of course, if Penn State somehow sweeps this treacherous trio of powerhouses, I'll be talking national championship in this same space two weeks from now. I guess that's why they play the games.

The enormity of this stretch certainly isn't lost on the Lions, though.

"We need to beat one of these teams to make sure we get a spot in the tournament," senior defender Renee Cipro said. "And that's our ultimate goal, to make sure we get back into the tournament."