Drew Adams said, while he was walking to class yesterday, that he came to Penn State to play against top competition.
Despite only one conference win this season, Adams and the Penn State men's lacrosse team can't help but be excited about playing one of the top teams in the nation when they host No. 4 Georgetown at 1 p.m. tomorrow on Jeffrey Field.
"I'd much rather play the No. 4 team in the country than an unranked team," said Adams, the starting goalie. "There's no added pressure, just added excitement. We're the underdogs, but that's just an added incentive."
The Hoyas' season includes a win against No. 15 Navy in overtime, and they are the only team to beat No. 1 Duke.
Although the Nittany Lions (6-7, 1-5 ECAC) won their only game against a top-10 team when they beat then-No. 9 Bucknell, Penn State coach Glenn Thiel said they will need to play their best game of the year to have a chance at winning.
"We can't play the way we've played the last few weeks," Thiel said.
"They're too deep and talented. They're No. 4 for a reason, and they beat Duke for a reason."
Adams, who has allowed the second-fewest goals per game in the conference and is tied for first in save percentage, will have to deal with the best offense in the league.
The Hoyas (9-3, 5-1) average 11.5 goals per game, and Thiel said there is "not a shot they don't like."
Their aggressive, fast-paced offense will contrast with Penn State's more conservative style of play.
Penn State defenseman Tommy Zichelli said the goal is to dictate the pace by being patient with the ball and making the Hoyas play the Lions' game.
"They're a hard team to prepare for because they're so big and so talented," Thiel said.
"They're gigantic size-wise and speed-wise. But the kids will rise to the occasion, and it will be competitive."
The game will be the final game for seniors Andrew Mackrides, Zichelli, Bubba Scott and Devin Madden
Prior to last Saturday's game at St. Joe's, Adams said the most important thing to focus on the rest of the season would be sending the seniors out with victories.
The Lions beat the Hawks with a second-half comeback but will face a much tougher test in a Georgetown, who is Penn State's highest-ranked opponent this year.
"There's nothing I'd rather do," Adams said of winning for the seniors.
"To have them go out on a high note wouldn't make up for the season, but it would certainly be something for them to remember."
