Tigers sunk by Navy in semis, grab third

Navy did it again. In the semifinals of the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC) Championship, the men's water polo team was sunk by a determined Midshipmen squad (9-4 overall, 1-0 ECAC). Despite being up two goals at half, the No. 15 Tigers struggled late and fell to No. 10 Navy by two goals, 11-9.

After defeating Harvard earlier in the day, Princeton played the Midshipmen on Saturday looking for a berth in the title game.

The Tigers played the first half well and led 8-6 at the break. After the half, though, Navy rallied to add five goals. Princeton simply could not keep up the pace and notched only one goal of its own, allowing Navy to win 11-9 and stamp a ticket to the title match, though they eventually lost to No. 13 St. Francis in the finals, 10-9.

Team co-captain and senior center Nick Seaver netted a team-leading three goals and sophomore driver Brendan Colgan scored two. Junior goalie Scott Syverson saved seven in the loss.

Though the opening match against Harvard was close at times, Princeton maintained a lead throughout the game. The Tigers used their fierce offensive skills to take a commanding 8-4 lead over the Crimson by halftime.

After the break, however, Harvard netted three goals in three minutes, bringing a victory within reach for the Crimson. The Orange and Black, though, were not about to lie down, and responded with six goals while Harvard only managed one over the remaining time.

Senior driver Ben Reitz and freshman utility Mark Zalewski led the Tigers' offensive blitz versus the Crimson, scoring three goals each. Senior utility Reid Joseph and senior drivers Chris Kelsch and Victor Wakefield each added a pair of goals. Syverson blocked nine attempts in the game.

After losing to Navy and forfeiting the opportunity to earn top honors, the Tigers played No. 18 Bucknell on Sunday to determine their final standing in the tournament. A victory would earn Princeton third place; a loss, fourth.

Against the Bison, the Tigers controlled the match, managing to pull away with the victory.

Princeton led from the beginning, opening with the first score and by the end of the first quarter, the Tigers led 2-1.

In the second quarter, the Tigers scored six unanswered goals, creating a comfortable lead that they held onto for the rest of the match.

Though Bucknell earned three goals in the second half, Princeton scored four to take the match 12-4 and come home with third-place honors.

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Seeded third in the tournament, the Tigers finished as predicted.

Seaver and sophomore utility Eric Vreeland led the Tigers' scoring in the match, each netting two goals. Preventing Bucknell from taking the lead, Syverson blocked four attempts in the first half while freshman goalie Scottie Hvidt had nine saves in the second half.

The tournament offered Princeton's first opportunity to face conference opponents, though these games do not count towards the Tigers' conference record.

Next weekend, the Tigers begin their regular conference play, facing Bucknell on Friday and Navy on Saturday, both teams Princeton just played. The Tigers' two matches are part of the host of games held by the Bison in Lewisburg, Pa.