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PSU Once Again Featured in Tuesday Takeaways

Mar. 12, 2013

For the third straight week, Penn State has been featured in Tuesday Takeaways in Inside Lacrosse. Here is what Mark Dixon had to say this week about the Nittany Lions:

What Happened: Lehigh outslugs Penn State 12-10

Takeaway: Looking for a spark to get his team off the skids, coach Kevin Cassese got one in the form of goalie Matt Poillon. The sophomore returned after missing three games to make 11 saves (eight in the first half) to lead the Mountain Hawks to a tough win. This game featured playoff-like intensity from both sides; hard hits, contested groundballs, and highlight-reel goals were on full display. Sophomore Dan Taylor was a perfect complement to seniors Dante Fantoni (3G, 2A) and David DiMaria (2A), registering two goals and three assists. Taylor's continued development makes this attack unit one of the most dangerous in the country.

Bonus Takeaway: The Nittany Lions lost their third in a row and have not won since a 15-12 win over Denver on February 17 in Jacksonville, Fla. They are following the unfortunate pattern of Ohio State in 2012; the Buckeyes knocked off the Pioneers in February last year in Florida but then went on a five-game losing streak. The good news for Penn State is its attack unit is one of the most prolific in lacrosse. Against Lehigh the trio of TJ Sanders, Shane Sturgis, and Jack Forster combined for nine goals. The bad news is the midfield is providing little support right now to the offensive cause. Overall, the Penn State attack is doing 66% of the scoring, with no middies in double digits for points. The Nittany Lions need more scoring balance to break this streak and get back on the winning track.