When its season started, Penn State men’s lacrosse entered with national title aspirations. Now, following a 1-4 start to the season, things are starting to look bleak for the Nittany Lions.

Still, despite finding itself in relatively unfamiliar territory, Penn State hasn’t lost hope.

“Everything we set out to do is in front of us, not behind us,” head coach Jeff Tambroni said.

The Nittany Lions’ stumble out the gates has been plagued by offensive inefficiencies, defensive lapses, and mental mistakes that are uncharacteristic to the group. All those mistakes and miscues, matched with injuries and pandemic restrictions, add up to create the perfect storm for things to head south quickly.

The current downward trend makes it easy for players and coaches to put their heads down, especially considering the great things this group was touted for in the preseason. But the Nittany Lions are staying focused on what’s ahead, not what’s behind.

“If we dwell on what we haven’t been able to accomplish thus far, that will then hinder our ability to continue to grow and achieve the goals that remain in front of us,” Tambroni said.

The coach and his staff know that the growth of a team and a group is a long journey. The issue this season is that the journey becomes significantly shorter with a short season. The compacted conference-only schedule, in which Penn State has played four out of five games against ranked teams, has only ramped up the pressure to succeed.

“This is a conference full of dogs,” attackman Dylan Foulds said. “It’s truly an iron-sharpens-iron scenario.”

For Tambroni, the key for Penn State getting back on track begins on a day-by-day basis. Even though Tambroni and this group are in it for the long haul, the importance of getting better each day is the foundation for that long-term success.

“If we focus on how we can be great today, anything is still possible,” Tambroni said. “Once we focus too much on disappointment and question our long-term goals, that’s when I would start to be concerned.”

Tambroni and his staff still believe that the goals set out for conference and national play can still be achieved, including runs at both titles.

“Hunt the good, and we’ll be successful,” Tambroni said.

Glancing at the remaining schedule for Penn State, there is a path through the storm it’s currently facing. Unlike usual years, the Nittany Lions will face the same five teams that they played to start the season. The familiarity could breed hostility and set Penn State up for a “revenge tour” of sorts.

That “tour” starts Sunday when Johns Hopkins rolls into town. Last time, the Nittany Lions produced their lowest goal output in 63 games against the Blue Jays. Big games from Connor DeSimone and Joey Epstein played a big factor in Hopkins’ 13-6 win over Penn State.

“It’s a time where we can learn and adapt and see what works and what doesn’t,” Foulds said. “Our focus all week is 100% Hopkins, and I know every guy in this locker room is ready to get out on the field.”