May 27, 2000

COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- Sophomore attackman Brendan Tierney capped off a torrid Princeton Tigers comeback, scoring two fourth-quarter goals, including the game-winner with 2:05 remaining as Princeton advanced to the national championship game with a 12-11 victory over defending national champion Virginia Saturday afternoon at Byrd Stadium. The third-seeded Tigers (12-3) advance to the national championship game while second-seeded Virginia ends its season at 13-2.

Virginia took an 11-9 lead with 6:58 remaining in the game as Conor Gill delivered one of his career-high five assists, this time to Jason Hard for the score. However, Princeton scored the game's final three goals to advance to the national title game for the sixth time in nine years and the fourth time in nine years. Sean Hartofilis started the run with one of his career-high five goals and Chris Harrington followed 1:35 later with a man-up goal. It was Tierney's game-winning goal that gave Princeton its first lead since the 6:36 mark of the first quarter. Virginia had an opportunity to tie the game with less than one minute remaining, but could not get a shot off.

Princeton took an early 2-1 lead on goals by Josh Sims and Sean Hartofilis. However the Cavaliers roared back, scoring five of the game's next six goals to take a 6-3 advantage with 4:37 remaining in the second quarter. Gill led the assault with a goal and three assists during the run and led all scorers with seven points. The Tigers answered with a pair of goals by Hartofilis, closing the gap to 7-5 at the half. The Tigers stayed within striking distance of the Cavaliers in the third quarter thanks to Trevor Tierney, who made five clutch saves in the quarter and ended with 14 on the day.

Princeton and Syracuse will meet Monday at 10:55 a.m. in the national championship game live on ESPN. It is a re-match of the 1992 title game, won by the Tigers, 10-9, in double overtime. Syracuse defeated Princeton earlier this season, 16-4, on April 23 at Princeton.

GAME SCORING
Princeton (12-3)  3 2 2 5 --12
Virginia (13-2)   3 4 2 2 --11
Qtr.-Time Team, Goal (Assist) PU-UVa
1 - 10:16 UVA, David Bruce (Chris Rotelli) 0-1
1 - 7:29  PU, Josh Sims (unassisted) 1-1
1 - 6:36  PU, Sean Hartofilis (Matt Striebel) 2-1
1 - 2:56  UVA, Jay Jalbert (Conor Gil) 2-2
1 - 1:32  UVA, Conor Gil (Drew McKnight) - EMO 2-3
1 - 0:19  PU, Brad Dumont (unassisted) 3-3
2 - 12:41 UVA, Ian Shure (Conor Gil) 3-4
2 - 8:48  UVA, A.J. Shannon (Conor Gil) 3-5
2 - 4:37  UVA, David Bruce (Drew McKnight) 3-6
2 - 2:06  PU, Sean Hartofilis (Brad Dumont) 4-6
2 - 1:43  UVA, Drew McKnight (Jay Jalbert) 4-7
2 - 1:12  PU, Sean Hartofilis (Matt Striebel) 5-7
3 - 13:35 UVA, Ian Shure (Conor Gil) 5-8
3 - 6:43  PU, Josh Sims (Matt Striebel) 6-8
3 - 3:51  UVA, Drew McKnight (Jay Jalbert) 6-9
3 - 2:55  PU, Sean Hartofilis (Owen Daly) 7-9
4 - 13:31 PU, Josh Sims (unassisted) 8-9
4 - 11:01 UVA, Conor Gil (A.J. Shannon) - EMO 8-10
4 - 7:35  PU, Brendan Tierney (Chris Harrington) - EMO 9-10
4 - 6:58  UVA, Jason Hard (Conor Gil) 9-11
4 - 6:37  PU, Sean Hartofilis (unassisted) 10-11
4 - 5:02  PU, Chris Harrington (Matt Striebel) - EMO 11-11
4 - 2:05  PU, Brendan Tierney (Josh White) 12-11



TEAM STATS
Category              Princeton                     Virginia
Shots                 10-7-9-10=36                  8-13-8-4=34
Saves                 2-6-5-1=14                    2-2-0-1=5
Face-Offs             (2/7,(3/7),(2/5),(5/8)=12/27  (5/7),(4/7),(3/5),(3/8)= 15/27
Groundballs           12-8-6-9=35                   14-20-11-11=56
Clears                (5/5),(5/6),(6/7),(2/3)=18/23 (4/5),(6/7),(5/6),(3/5)=18/23
Extra-Man Opp.        (0/1),(0/1),(0/1),(2/3)=2/6   (1/1),(0/0),(0/0),(1/1)=2/2
Penalties             2/1:30                        6/5:00

INDIVIDUAL SCORING
Princeton Scorers      Goals-Asst.-Pts.
Sean Hartofilis              5-0-5
Matt Striebel                0-4-4
Josh Sims                    3-0-3
Brendan Tierney              2-0-2
Brad Dumont                  1-1-2
Chris Harrington             1-1-2
Owen Daly                    0-1-1
Josh White                   0-1-1

Virginia Scorers       Goals-Asst.-Pts.
Conor Gil                    2-5-7
Drew McKnight                2-2-4
Jay Jalbert                  1-2-3
David Bruce                  2-0-2
Ian Shure                    2-0-2
A.J. Shannon                 1-1-2
Jason Hard                   1-0-1
Chris Rotelli                0-1-1

GOALIES
Princeton Goalies     Saves GA Min.
Trevor Tierney           14 11 60

Virginia Goalies      Saves GA Min.
Derek Kenney              5 12 60

ATTENDANCE: 24,105