April 28, 1999

Villanova, Pa. - In the Wildcats' season finale, junior John McTigue finished the season with yet another brilliant performance as he tied his career-high with six assists as Villanova defeated Lehigh, 9-7 at Villanova Stadium.

Nova got on the board first with a goal by Andrew Bogle, but the Hawks fired back as Doug McKerns netted the first of his game-high four goals to tie the game at one apiece. The Wildcats then went on a 4-0 run on scores by Tom Lasky, Eric Dauer and a pair of goals by Christopher Larson to give the 'Cats a 5-1 advantage. With 1:36 remaining in the half, Lehigh wasn't giving up as John Steele and John Fowler scored :37 seconds apart to cut the Villanova lead to 5-3 at the intermission.

The Wildcats opened up the second half scoring on goals by Dauer and Lasky to give the Cats some breathing room, 7-3. But the Hawks were not throwing in the towels and they scored four unanswered goals to knot the contest at seven early in the fourth and final quarter. Dauer's third goal of the game with 11:06 remaining proved to be the game-winner as the Wildcats went on to the 9-7 victory to finish the season 8-6. With the loss, Lehigh falls to 7-5.

John McTigue's six assists led Nova, while Matt Wilk had 21 saves between the pipes for the Cats. For the Mountain Hawks, Doug McKerns tallied four goals in the losing effort.

SCORE BY QUARTERS 1 2 3 4 TOTAL LEHIGH 1 2 3 1 7 VILLANOVA 3 2 2 2 9

Scoring: Goals-Lehigh (7),McKerns (4), Fowler (2), Steele, Villanova (9), Larson (3), Dauer (3), Lasky (2), Bogle, Assists-Lehigh (1), Osorio, Villanova (8), McTigue (6), Dauer, Hourican; Saves-Lehigh (12), Schreiner (12)), Villanova (21), Wilk (21).

LEHIGH VILLANOVA Shots 40 37 Groundballs 34 36 Saves 12 21 Penalties 9 (7:30) 4 (3:30)