The Orangemen, led by Brad Kotz and Tim Nelson, scored eight straight goals in less than nine minutes in the second half to clinch the title after Hopkins had gone up 12–5 midway through the third quarter.

In the semifinals in the Carrier Dome, the Orangemen beat Maryland 12–5 behind Randy Lundblad’s one goal and four assists and Travis Solomon’s 22 saves.

Late in the third quarter, team captain and defenseman Darren Lawlor scored a key goal left-handed which provided a spark for the Orangemen.

Overcoming a seven goal deficit against a Hopkins team participating in its seventh straight title game, Lawlor and the other Orangemen seniors provided the spark.

But the offensive punch came primarily from sophomores, including midfielder Brad Kotz of West Genesee and Tim Nelson, the transfer from North Carolina State.