After dropping from the NCAA rankings after a loss at home to Robert Morris, Penn State men’s lacrosse (3-2) reasserted itself with a resounding upset victory over No. 13 Penn (2-2). A 7-0 run propelled the Nittany Lions to victory despite originally facing a 4-0 deficit in the second quarter.

How It Happened

Things looked grim for the Nittany Lions in the first quarter as Penn proved why it’s ranked No. 13. Despite getting to the Quakers’ net multiple times, tough defense prevented Penn State from converting. Meanwhile, Penn earned a quick 3-0 lead in the first quarter.

Four minutes into the second quarter, Penn struck again with another goal to make it a 4-0 game. But Penn State wasn’t about to go gently into the night. Faceoff ace Gerard Arceri was on fire the entire day, going 18-20 and giving the Lions plenty of possessions. Nixk Spillane took advantage, scoring Penn State’s first goal of the game. Just 41 seconds later, Mac O’Keefe slotted in another goal, and two minutes after that Dylan Foulds made it a 4-3 game. Arceri was able to get on the board too, scoring the key goal to tie things up. Another goal for O’Keefe and one for Foulds gave Penn State a 6-4 lead.

The third quarter opened with another Penn State goal, this time from Kevin Hill. Shortly after, Penn scored a goal to break the 7-0 run by the Nittany Lions that put them ahead 7-5. Things were more touch-and-go as Penn reasserted itself defensively, but Penn State was able to score once again off the stick of Taylor Tripp to take back momentum going into the fourth quarter with an 8-5 lead.

Things continued to go Penn State’s way in the fourth quarter. A goal from Christopher Sabine opened things up to make it a 9-5 lead. Penn struck back again, though, throwing everything it had at the Penn State goal to score. Another Penn goal followed, making the Nittany Lions sweat a little by cutting their lead to 9-7. A crucial goal from Spillane with 3:41 to go shifted momentum back to Penn State and the Nittany Lions hung onto a 10-7 upset win.

Player of the Game

Nick Spillane | Midfield | Junior

Though Spillane and Mac O’Keefe both scored two goals and each had an assist, Spillane provided impressive defensive help all game along with a key groundball.

What’s Next 

Penn State will continue its road trip, traveling next to our nation’s capital to play Furman University at Georgetown Prep. The clash starts at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 6.