A tidal wave hit Annapolis, Md. this past weekend, but chances are you didn't hear about it. The only witnesses to this awesome spectacle were the fans and athletes present at the Naval Academy's pool. Teams battened down the hatches as they attempted to weather the storm brought courtesy of the men's water polo team. The speed and skill of Johns Hopkins, Bucknell and even Navy were not enough to outpace the Tigers as they dominated the first set of Southern Division games, boosting their record to 7-0 overall.
Surviving the weekend unscathed was George Washington, whose encounter with Princeton, set for last Friday, was cancelled due to an impending hurricane threat.
Clearly Isabel wasn't the only one wreaking havoc on the eastern seaboard, as Saturday morning Princeton's fury rained hard on John Hopkins. The Tigers beat the Blue Jays, 16-8.
"We really wanted to come out and make a statement early," senior co-captain, two-meter Dan McKenna, said. "So I think we were nine up at half."
The main event
It was a good warm-up for that night's game against Navy, the most anticipated game of the season thus far. Princeton tried to continue with its 'jump on them early' strategy, but the Midshipmen were never fell very far behind.
With both sides playing excellent defense, the Tigers led by a slim 1-0 margin after the first quarter. "We knew it was going to be close," head coach Luis Nicolao said. "Our defense was unbelieveable."
Guarding the cage was junior netminder Peter Sabbatini, who totaled 20 saves and proved to be a vital part of the defensive effort.
Throughout the entire game Princeton continued to lead, with sophomore two-meter defender Jamal Motlagh and sophomore driver John Stover contributing two goals apiece. But Navy was by no means ready to wave the white flag of surrender yet. The Midshipmen rallied in the fourth quarter and came stomring back in time to end regulation play with a 6-6 tie.
"I'd have to give credit to the whole team," Nicolao said. "We could have panicked as we went into overtime."
The two teams battled through two scoreless three-minute overtime periods after which they went into a sudden-death period, an ominous name meaning that the first team to score an overtime goal claimed victory in the match. With the shot clock winding down, Dan McKenna began distancing himself from his Navy opponent and made a break for the other end of the pool. At the same time, freshman driver Chris Kelsch managed to steal the ball away from Navy.
"The guy who was guarding me just kind of waited around," said McKenna. "By the time Kelsch threw it to me I was pretty far down."
Not waiting for the opposition to arrive, McKenna easily put the game-winner away.
"It felt pretty good," said McKenna. "It felt almost anticlimactic because I was so open."
Clutch player
McKenna is no stranger to stepping up when the Tigers need it most. As a sophomore, he scored the game-winning goal against Navy, ultimately allowing Princeton to take home the Southern Championship title that year.
"To end a game like that is really sweet," Dan's younger brother, sophomore driver Mike McKenna, said. "Having two game-winning counters in a career is like hitting 500 home runs."
Princeton then rocked Bucknell, 17-6, on Sunday morning, wreaking its last bit of havoc in Annapolis before heading for home. Dan McKenna's domination continued as he netted six for the Tigers.
The intense play has not left the Tigers unaffected — junior two-meter Mike Murray has a couple of injured ribs and Stover is nursing a sore shoulder.
Still, the tsunami that is Princeton will have a few days to rest and recover and gather momentum again before facing another grueling weekend in Providence, RI.
"I think we know we can beat anybody and this [upcoming] weekend will be a great time to show that," Nicolao said.
Read More
Preview: No. 3 men’s lacrosse plays No. 5 Syracuse in NCAA quarterfinals
Hayk YengibaryanShould the Tigers beat the Orange, they will advance to the Final Four for the first time since 2022 as they look to win their first national championship since 2001.
Should the Tigers beat the Orange, they will advance to the Final Four for the first time since 2022 as they look to win their first national championship since 2001.
Six for six: men’s and women’s track and field both complete triple crown
Luke StocklessMen’s and women’s track and field each won the Ivy League title this past weekend, capping off a dominant season in which both teams won the triple crown — a feat not seen in 14 years.
Men’s and women’s track and field each won the Ivy League title this past weekend, capping off a dominant season in which both teams won the triple crown — a feat not seen in 14 years.
Nation’s No. 2 miler Mena Scatchard ’25 to transfer to Stanford for graduate year
Luke StocklessThe Tigers’ most decorated distance runner ever has decided to use her final year of eligibility at Stanford after graduating from Princeton this May.
The Tigers’ most decorated distance runner ever has decided to use her final year of eligibility at Stanford after graduating from Princeton this May.