Sept. 12, 2008

BERKELEY - Brianne Tierney joined the California lacrosse staff as an assistant coach, Golden Bears head coach Theresa Sherry announced today. Formerly an assistant coach at Monmouth, Tierney was a player at Colgate and played against Cal as a senior in 2007 at Memorial Stadium.

"Brianne brings a great work ethic and lacrosse mind to our staff that will help propel this program to the next level," Sherry said. "An attacker at Colgate, Bri will work with our offense here at Cal and focus specifically on individual play throughout the year. She also brings a year of experience to the table with things like recruiting, breaking down film, office management and game management. We are really excited to have Brianne join the lacrosse team here at Cal!"

Sherry, in her second year as Cal head coach, has a staff that includes second-year assistant coach Julia Southard.

"It's great to be out here," Tierney said. "I'm excited about what Theresa and Julia are doing with the program. Lacrosse is growing so much out here, and Theresa is doing a great job of promoting it."

Tierney added, "Playing in Memorial Stadium was a memorable experience for me as a player. It is an intimidating venue to come into as a Cal opponent but is definitely a source of pride for me as a Cal coach."

Tierney scored 11 points, including a career-high 10 goals, in 14 games and eight starts as a Colgate senior in 2007, when she also earned a spot on the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll. She was part of the Hawks' two Patriot League titles in 2004 and 2005.

After graduating from Colgate with an English degree in May of 2007, Tierney worked with the Monmouth goalkeepers and offense this past season.

Lacrosse and athletics in general play a big part in the Tierney family. Brianne's father, Bill, is in his 21st year as head coach of the men's program at Princeton, where her brother, Brendan, also starred as in the attack/midfield. Brianne Tierney has also served as a lacrosse camp counselor at Princeton University and was a middle school field hockey coach in the fall of 2006. The Princeton connection extends to Sherry, an All-American player and two-time NCAA champion as a Tiger.

Brianne's brother, Trevor Tierney, is a former U.S. and professional player, previously with the Baltimore Bayhawks, who is now an assistant coach for Major League Lacrosse's Denver Outlaws. Her sister Courtney played basketball at Franklin & Marshall is now the head girls basketball coach at Mercer Christian Academy.

Cal begins the 2009 season at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7, taking on the first-year Fresno State program in Fresno, Calif.