Tigers' win streak ends with loss to Maryland

A long winning streak is the perfect way for any team to begin a season, and the women's water polo team started its season off with a bang, winning 10 straight games.

But like most good things in this world, the streak came to an end as No. 16 Princeton (11-1 overall, 3-1 Collegiate Water Polo Association) fell to Maryland (11-4), 5-1, last Saturday at Lewisburg, Pa. The Tigers were, however, able to rebound later in the day by defeating Bucknell, 7-6.

Though Princeton has featured a high-powered offense this season, scoring 97 goals compared to only 46 for their opponents, they were unable to get anything going against the Terrapins.

The lone Tiger goal came from junior driver Karina Reyner who was able to blast a shot past the Maryland goalkeeper. The stifling Terrapin defense was able to shut down the rest of the team, including junior two meter Elyse Colgan, who leads the team in scoring.

Maryland head coach Carl Salyer called his team's victory "the biggest win in program history."

For Princeton, sophomore goalkeeper Natalie Kim continued her solid play, notching nine saves on the day, but her efforts were in vain as the Tigers fell.

Despite the end of the winning streak, the Tigers had no time to hang their heads and contemplate the defeat — for Bucknell was on deck. The Bison were hungry for revenge after falling to the Tigers at Princeton, 6-5.

But Bucknell would fail in its quest for vengeance, as it was vanquished by a rebounding Princeton team who was hungry for a win after its first loss of the season.

The Tigers jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the first period before the Bison tied it up in the second. Both teams scored in the third, and the game was still knotted at four going into the final period.

Crucial fourth period

Sophomore driver Carolina Ardila scored early in the period to put the Tigers on top, but the Bison responded with a goal with five minutes left to play.

But with two minutes, 46 seconds remaining and after a Bucknell player was ejected from the game, Princeton took the lead for good when Reyner scored her second goal of the day. Shortly thereafter, Colgan broke through with an insurance goal that proved crucial as the Bison scored once more to bring the game within one before the final whistle.

Ardila led the way with two goals. Senior driver Megan Donahue, freshman two meter defender Claire Jacobson and junior two meter Samantha Shaugnessy also scored for the Tigers. Kim had seven saves in the game to ensure the win.

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The Tigers will be back in action over spring break as they head out to sunny California — the location of the traditional water polo powerhouses — to test their mettle against talented West Coast teams.

Over the weekend, Princeton will start the trip with games at Santa Clara and UC Santa Cruz on Saturday before heading to San Jose State on Sunday. The team plays Cal State-Monterey and Sonoma State on Tuesday, Stanford on Friday and finishes at Cal on Saturday. After spring break, the Tigers will have ECAC Championships.