The Colonial Athletic Association for men's lacrosse will be adding two new associate members to its conference.

Penn State, along with the University of Massachusetts, will be leaving the Eastern College Athletic Association to join the CAA starting in the 2010 season.

The addition of these two schools, along with the University of Delaware, Drexel University, Hofstra University and Towson University, will improve an already strong conference.

Both Hofstra and Towson have made the NCAA Tournament multiple times over the past decade, and with the addition of UMass, the conference will now boast a team that made it to the national championship game back in 2006.

"The 2010 switch to the CAA will be a great move for Penn State lacrosse," said head coach Glenn Thiel who has over 300 wins during his 31-year tenure.

"The Colonial league gives us excellent competition, stability, and keeps us in the east where our recruiting base is located."

The re-alignment of the CAA was caused by the creation of two new men's lacrosse conferences -- the Big East and the Northeast conferences. Prior to the 2009 season, current CAA members Sacred Heart and Robert Morris will move over to the NEC and Villanova will switch to the Big East.

The ECAC conference will add schools such as Quinnipiac University, Air Force Academy, University of Denver, Ohio State University and Bellermine University. Hobart, Loyola and Fairfield will remain in the ECAC.

The team in the CAA that owns the best record at the conclusion of the regular season will earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Men's Lacrosse Tournament.

The CAA also holds a league tournament at the end of the regular season giving the other five teams a second chance to keep their season alive after regular season play is over.

Penn State, who won bids to the 2003 and 2005 NCAA tournaments, will have its hands full with tough competition in the CAA. The CAA has sent two schools to the NCAA tournament three out of the last six years.

"The competition between PSU, Mass, Hofstra, Towson, Drexel, and Delaware should

be very, very even," said Thiel. "I believe, [the] CAA will be the most competitive [league] in lacrosse."

The Nittany Lions believe they are a dangerous team and will pose a threat for years to come in the CAA.

"I think Penn State is still thought of as a sleeper right now, but everyone recognizes how dangerous we can be with two wins against top 10 teams last season," said senior attackman Max Van Arsdale.

The higher level of competition will not be the only thing that changes for Penn State. The conference switch will also affect the recruiting of high school players.

"I think this will attract new prospects who might otherwise overlook coming to Penn State to play lacrosse," said junior attackman Matt Loy.

Van Arsdale is also optimistic about the recruiting opportunities that await the Nittany Lions in their new conference.

"I would think that a lot of the CAA schools will be competing for the same kids, especially out of Philly," said Van Arsdale. "This will emerge as an elite conference and recruits will want to be a part of it."