By Todd Karpovich
WSL Contributing Editor

BALTIMORE – Denver coach Bill Tierney did not want to use his team's lack of experience in big-time NCAA tournament games as an excuse for Saturday's semifinal loss to Virginia.

Nor, did he want use Virginia's near-perfect zone defense as being the main reason the Pioneers could not generate much offense until late in the second half. Instead, Tierney conceeded the Cavaliers were simply the better overall team on the day and deserved to play for the National Championship with their 14-8 victory at M&T Bank Stadium.

Tierney, however, emphasized that the semfinal loss did not diminish what the Pioneers have accomplished this season.

"These are special men," Tierney said. "They had a season that no one could have believed even when we got here. The doubters were out there and unfortunately with the way we played, there will be some out there tomorrow."