UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Penn State men's lacrosse is ranked 15th in both nationally recognized preseason polls. The United State Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) and Nike/Inside Lacrosse rankings are the preeminent collegiate rankings in men's lacrosse.
The Nittany Lions, rising to national prominence under third-year head coach Jeff Tambroni, were ranked for most of the year in 2012 and look to continue their upward swing in 2013. Matching that swing will be a schedule worthy of a ranked foe. Seven Penn State opponents are ranked each of the two polls.
This Saturday, Penn State welcomes Johns Hopkins to Happy Valley for a 1 p.m. exhibition at Holuba Hall. Johns Hopkins is ranked tied for 4th in the USILA poll. After the Feb. 9 season opener at Michigan, Penn State faces No. 9 Denver in Jacksonville, Fla. on Feb. 17.
No. 3 Notre Dame visits Penn State for its regular-season opener on Feb. 24 (Noon). A week later, another ranked foe, No. 19 Ohio State, comes to University Park for a 1 p.m. showdown on March 2. The opening non-conference gauntlet continues March 9 against No. 11 Lehigh in Chester, Pa. A stretch of five-straight games against ranked foes concludes March 16 at defending CAA champion, No. 12 Massachusetts.
Other games against ranked teams are March 26 at No. 18 Bucknell and Apr. 27 at No. 20 Hofstra. Fellow CAA opponents Drexel and Delaware received votes in the USILA poll as did non-conference foe Villanova.
Saturday's exhibition contest vs. No. 4 Johns Hopkins is open to the public and doors will open at 12:45 p.m. at Holuba Hall. Admission is free and all fans attending the game will receive team posters.