Follow us on Instagram
Try our daily mini crossword
Subscribe to the newsletter
Download the app

Men's water polo ensures undefeated league record

For most Princeton students, the first few days of Fall Break are a time of relaxation far removed from the stress and late nights of Midterm Week. While many traveled home to the comforts of their own bed, or migrated with friends to warmer climates, the men's water polo team spent its first weekend of vacation traveling to Bucknell in search of a perfect end to its incredible regular season.

The No. 12 Tigers (18-4 overall, 10-0 Southern Division) capitalized on the opportunity, winning both games to finish the season with an undefeated league record. They took the first game of the weekend by storm, defeating No. 20 Bucknell, 7-4. Though Princeton had high expectations going into the match, a narrow 10-9 victory over the Bison the previous weekend taught the Tigers that they couldn't take the game for granted.

ADVERTISEMENT

Bucknell (13-11, 5-5) put up a good fight, but the Tiger squad relentlessly pounded the Bison net, leaving junior driver Dean Riskas with three goals and junior driver John Stover two. All-American senior goalie Peter Sabbatini added to his impressive season stats with eight saves. Princeton scored first and, with the help of the seven defensive steals, never trailed the Bison at any point in the game.

After the win over Bucknell, however, Princeton entered the pool with Easterns rival Navy (14-10, 8-2). Though the Tigers had defeated the No. 16 Midshipmen earlier in the season, they were expecting a tough match from the team that had taken the Eastern Championship crown from them last year.

At halftime, the score was tied, and it looked as though Princeton was in for another tight game. Shortly into the third quarter, however, the Tigers suddenly broke away, scoring four unanswered goals.

The Tiger defense, led by Sabbatini's 12 saves in net, allowed the offense to capitalize on several Navy mistakes at the other end of the pool. With six different players scoring, Princeton demonstrated the depth that has been so crucial to its many successes this season. Sophomore driver Chris Kelsch led all scorers with two goals. Juniors John Stover, Jamal Motlagh and Mike McKenna all contributed one goal each, as did sophomore Nicholas Seaver and freshman Zach Beckmann.

The win over Navy gave Princeton a regular season record of 18-4, with a perfect 10-0 record in the CWPA Southern Division. The hard work that the players put in all season paid off as the standings seeded them No. 1 in the Southern Championships. Princeton also received the honors of home-court advantage for the tournament. Navy's finish placed them behind Princeton as the No. 2 seed in Southerns, with Bucknell coming in a close No. 3.

Those three teams, along with the other major competitors in the Southern Division, spent the rest of Fall Break resting up and practicing in preparation for the division championships. The Tigers knew that everyone was going to be gunning for them, but, as always, they were primed to face the challenge.

ADVERTISEMENT

With a spectacular end to what has been one of the best Princeton regular seasons in years, the Tigers seem primed to fulfill the promises of the much-anticipated postseason.

Subscribe
Get the best of the ‘Prince’ delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe now »