April 20, 2012
| Game Notes | @GoPSUMLAX | Blue-White Weekend Parking Advisory
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The No. 16 Penn State men's lacrosse team will begin a season-ending two-game homestand on Saturday evening (April 21) when they welcome CAA rival Delaware for a 7 p.m. matchup.
The Nittany Lions (7-5, 3-1 CAA) will enter the contest riding their second three-game win streak of the season. Depending on the day's earlier outcomes, Penn State may have the chance to secure homefield advantage for the CAA semifinals. If Hofstra falls to No. 1/2 Massachusetts Saturday afternoon and the Nittany Lions are victorious against Delaware, Penn State will host a conference semifinal matchup on Wednesday, May 2.
Senior attackmen Matthew Mackrides (Newtown Square) and Jack Forster(Jenkintown) continue to spark the Nittany Lions' offense. Mackrides, who has totaled 22 goals this season, has recorded three straight hat tricks, while Forster paces the squad in goals (24), assists (11) and points (35). The Jenkintown, Pa., native is currently on an eight-game goal-scoring streak and has recorded 19 goals during that span.
The Nittany Lions also boast the nation's ninth-ranked scoring defense, limiting teams to 7.67 goals per game. Penn State also ranks 14th in the country in saves per game and is anchored by standout sophomore goalkeeper Austin Kaut(Morton). The Morton, Pa., native ranks fifth in the NCAA in save percentage (.608) and 10th in goals-against average (7.49).
Two-time defending conference champion Delaware will enter the contest at 6-7 overall (1-3 CAA) and are in the midst of a three-game win streak. Senior attackman Grant Kaleikau ranks second in the nation in assists per game (2.54) and is tied for 10th in points per game (4.00). Classmate Dan Cooney ranks eighth in the NCAA in faceoff percentage (.621) and 10th in ground balls per game (6.08).
Penn State and Delaware have faced three common non-conference opponents (Bucknell, Villanova, Michigan). The Blue Hens were 3-0 against the schools while the Nittany Lions defeated both Villanova and Michigan. Penn State is 15-7 all-time against Delaware and 1-1 as a member of the CAA. In last year's matchup, the Nittany Lions defeated the Blue Hens, 13-3, as they clinched their first-ever CAA tournament berth.
Following Saturday night's matchup, Penn State will conclude the regular season on Saturday, April 28 against Hofstra. Opening faceoff for the Senior Day matchup will begin at noon.