Seesaw battle goes Princeton's way

The first, second and third times are the charm for the men's water polo team, which defeated Bucknell, 12-10, on Tuesday at DeNunzio Pool for the third time in three weeks.

This victory, however, was slightly more difficult for Princeton (14-6 overall, 6-2 College Water Polo Association Southern Division) than its last win. Played close and with intensity throughout, the match was markedly different from the first contest, which the Tigers won with relative ease.

"We always know [Bucknell] will be a tough team for us," head coach Luis Nicolao said, "but we have to [be] ready to play at the highest level."

Princeton, which trailed 6-5 at the half, seemed to grasp the stakes of the game in the third quarter when it began to take back the game.

In that decisive period, the Tigers were able to completely control the game's flow. Bucknell rushed its possessions, played overly aggressive defense — giving Princeton three-man advantages in the quarter — and handed Princeton a lead Bucknell could not regain.

In the third quarter, the Tigers notched two goals, both off Bucknell mistakes. Sophomore utility Eric Vreeland converted the final advantage and senior utility Reid Joseph scored off a penalty shot with one minute, 16 seconds left in the quarter after a Bison was called for holding his head underwater.

The Bison entered the final period more poised and less aggressive as they attempted to recover the game they seemed to have given away. In the fourth quarter, Bucknell scored four goals and only gave up a one-man advantage.

Holding steadfast to their lead, Princeton also began the quarter strong, scoring on its first possession. The Tigers notched four additional goals, including two from Joseph, who led the offense with three goals for the game. On his final goal, Joseph casually threw the ball into the net off a pass from freshman utility Mark Zalewski.

"We came out a little sluggish in the first half," Nicolao said. "But in the second half we mentally got fired up, played a little better and put opportunities away."

Though it was ultimately the latter part of the game which determined the outcome, the first half was a nail-biting exchange of goals as the lead was constantly changing hands. Neither team led by more than one at any moment in the first half.

The Bison, who scored on their first possession, set the quarter's tone. Princeton followed that goal with two of its own, which Bucknell quickly matched. When the quarter's bell sounded, the Bison found themselves ahead, 3-2.

The Tigers tied the game with a quick second quarter goal, then recaptured the lead, 5-4. Bucknell, however, came storming back with two goals of its own to reach the 6-5 halftime score.

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Vreeland and senior driver Chris Kelsch scored two goals each in the game, while utilities junior Zach Beckmann and freshman Gregor Horstmeyer, senior center Nicholas Seaver and sophomore driver Douglas Wigley all added one of their own. Junior goalie Scott Syverson guarded the net for the game's entirety, making 10 saves.

This win closes out the Tigers' regular season and they now will prepare for the playoffs. Princeton's postseason travel will take the Tigers to Bucknell for the CWPA Southern Championships and then back to DeNunzio for the Eastern Championships. With the dearth of East Coast teams, the Tigers are likely to face the Bison at least once more. If Princeton has its way, the fourth meeting will end like the first three, with Princeton coming away on top.