At the season's outset, the goal was simple, and everyone agreed: The Penn State men's lacrosse team would seek a spot in the NCAA national championship tournament.

That's what makes the Nittany Lions' 8-7 loss in double overtime to Rutgers yesterday especially tough for the team to bear.

"We're basically not gonna make the tournament now," sophomore attacker Rob Forster said after the game. Forster scored two goals yesterday for the Lions (4-7, 3-3 ECAC), and has now scored at least one goal in six straight games.

The Scarlet Knights (5-5, 3-2 ECAC) jumped out to a quick, 3-0 lead in the first quarter, helped along by two goals from senior attacker Colin Checcio. The Lions slowly started to climb back, closing the Knights' lead to 4-2 by halftime.

"We came out very flat," Forster said. "They completely outplayed us in the first half."

But, as they've done so many times this season, the Lions picked up in the second half and began to come back. Senior attacker Pat Heim scored two goals in the final two minutes of regulation to tie the game at seven and force it into overtime. Forster said that the captains made a speech at halftime, encouraging the team to have fun.

"We were still in the game," Forster said. "So we knew we still had a chance. We had all the momentum in the world heading into overtime."

Heim's heroics almost extended into the overtime period, as well. On the Lions' first possession in overtime, Heim took a shot that bounded off the pipe. When the first overtime period had ended, the heat began to take its toll.

With 2:35 left in the second overtime, the Knights' Justin Pennington scored the game-winning goal.

Penalties were also a problem for the Lions yesterday. They committed seven penalties, and the Knights were able to capitalize on three extra-man opportunities.

Coach Glenn Thiel was happy with the team's adjustment in the second half. He said that the team wasn't hesitating as much on offense and shot the ball much better.

Still, he added, the team is disappointed.

"We're a pretty good team, but we've lost seven games," Thiel said.