PROVIDENCE, R.I. --- A topsy-turvy game turned in Princeton's favor at the end as the 11th-ranked Tigers held off No. 8 UC Irvine, 14-12, in overtime at the Bruno Fall Classic Sunday.
The loss was the first of the season for UCI, which has an overall record of 7-1.
The Tigers took a 6-3 lead at halftime, but UCI scored three straight times to open the second half on a goal by Matt Skinner and two from Ryan Warde and the teams were tied at 6-6 following three quarters.
A goal by Connor McGoldrick gave Princeton a 7-6 lead at the 7:14 mark of the fourth quarter before UCI's Lovre Milos countered with a score at 6:16.
Jamie Kuprenas scored 15 seconds later to put the Tigers up 8-7, but Milos answered for UCI with 36 seconds left in regulation to knot the game at 8-8.
Princeton outscored the 'Eaters, 4-1, in the first three-minute session of overtime to lead 12-9. A goal from the Tigers' Sam Butler with 2:16 left in overtime expanded the lead to 13-9, but back-to-back goals by Justin Papa and Matt Skinner pulled UCI within 13-11.
Butler scored with 14 seconds left to push Princeton's lead to 14-11 before Milos closed out the scoring on a goal with four seconds remaining.
"We played with a lack of discipline that cost us a game," UCI head coach Marc Hunt said. "We failed at executing high-percentage shots.
"We had a good comeback effort when we were down by three and then again two goals. I was pleased with our ability to maintain offensive focus in tight moments.
"However, to win a game against a strong offensive team, you must have a shut-down defense attitude and we gave up easy goals in the first overtime period.
"This team is young and has a lot of room to develop. It's on us now to improve on our mistakes and work to reach our potential," Hunt added.
UCI competes in the NorCal Tournament next weekend at Stockton, opening against UC San Diego Saturday at 9:20 a.m. at Delta College.
UC Irvine 2-1-3-2-1-3 --- 12
Princeton 1-5-0-2-4-2 --- 14
UCI: Lovre Milos 4, Jacob Mourer 2, Justin Papa 2, Ryan Warde 2, Matt Skinner 2.
P: Drew Hoffenberg 3, Jordan Colina 2, Thomas Nelson 2, Sam Butler 2, Jovan Jeremic, Eric Bowen, Connor McGoldrick, Jamie Kuprenas, Bradley Wachtell.
Saves: Dylan Peterson (UCI) 10.
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