As time expired in the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Eastern Championships' title game, the emotionally and physically exhausted women's water polo team crawled out of DeNunzio Pool. The No. 18 Tigers' fourth-quarter comeback had come up short against No. 12 Hartwick, which handed the home team an 8-6 defeat. For Princeton's eight seniors, especially, the loss meant the end of a dream — for these Tigers there will be no Eastern title and no trip to next weekend's NCAA Championship tournament in Long Beach, Calif.
Meanwhile, the triumphant Hartwick Hawks (30-8) celebrated their second-straight title just 20 yards away. The high-fives and fist pumps of the Oneida, N.Y., liberal arts school's players presented a stark contrast to the Tigers' tears.
But the weekend was nothing for Princeton (20-9) to be ashamed of. During the three-game tournament, the Tigers played well as a team, first defeating Maryland (15-17) 11-7, then slipping by No. 19 Michigan (24-15) 4-3 and almost dethroning No. 12 Hartwick. Head coach Luis Nicolao was named CWPA Eastern Coach of the Year and junior goalie Natalie Kim was named the tournament's Most Valuable Goalkeeper.
Defense was the key to the Orange and Black's success in the tournament. Princeton's defense made sure its first two opponents couldn't penetrate, forcing Maryland and Michigan to take low-percentage shots from the perimeter.
"We kept telling ourselves that if we played good defense, our offense would come along," senior driver Karina Reyner said.
Princeton's hunt for its first Eastern title since 2000 began Saturday afternoon against Maryland in a festive environment at DeNunzio Pool. A week after the Terrapins upset Princeton in the CWPA Southern Championship finals, a thirst for revenge propelled the Tigers to victory in the must-win game.
Nicolao credited his team's strong showing with mental toughness and focus.
"This weekend we were ready to play, and last weekend we weren't," Nicolao said. "This game is nine-tenths mental."
Senior utility Elyse Colgan gave the Tigers a 1-0 lead with four minutes, 49 seconds left in the opening quarter against the Terps. Within two minutes of that first goal, Princeton's lead had grown to three on Reyner and senior center Samantha Shaughnessy's scores. Colgan's second goal of the game, with 1:06 remaining in the first half, ignited a 5-0 Tiger run.
As the game wore on, Princeton became increasingly confident and Maryland became increasingly desperate and physical. The Terrapin's frustration could be measured in penalties.
Kim was the cause of much of this frustration, as she strung together amazing save after amazing save en route to 14 saves in the game.
"I thought she was seeing the ball really well today," Nicolao said Saturday. "She was really covering her cage."
Maryland cut the deficit to four late in the game, but Princeton's dominance was never really in question. The 11-7 final reflected the determination of the squad's seniors. Reyner and Shaughnessy each netted three, while Colgan and senior utility Jazmin Brown each added two.
Saturday night, Princeton welcomed Michigan to DeNunzio. The Tigers' Big 10 foe brought along a loyal contingent of blue and gold fans. The rowdy Midwesterners gave the water polo game a football-like atmosphere — complete with pom poms, banners and chants.
The defensive battle quickly degenerated into a back-and-forth struggle between two evenly matched squads. The Wolverines scored first, but the Tigers retorted with two goals of their own — one from Colgan and one from freshman utility Helen Meigs — to give Princeton its first lead of the night. As the halftime buzzer sounded, the home team clung to a 3-2 advantage.
Neither team could put any offense together in the third quarter because their defenses were too tough. Kim again kept the Tigers in the game, repelling Michigan's shots with unparalleled athleticism. The quarter ended without either team scoring.
Ultimately, the game was decided in the fourth quarter. Michigan threatened again and again, as shots narrowly missed to the left, right and high. With 4:25 left in regulation, the Wolverines got their best chance to even the score when a shooting foul gave Michigan a penalty shot. But the visitors missed that opportunity, and Reyner scored 53 seconds later, doubling Princeton's lead to two.
But the game wasn't over. With 1:08 remaining in the contest, the Wolverines fired a shot past Kim, bringing Michigan to within one. Michigan called a timeout with 31 seconds left, fully aware that if the team couldn't score on this possession, its season would be over. Freshman utility Phoebe Champion stole the ball from Michigan's star, Julie Hyrne, ending the game.
Against Hartwick the Tigers played one of their best games of the season. Meigs scored 1:05 into the game on an advantage goal, putting Princeton ahead 1-0. The Hawks responded, evening the score at one by the close of the first quarter and grabbing a 2-1 lead early in the second. Then, with 4:33 remaining in the second, Meigs knotted the game at two. Before the halftime buzzer could sound, the rivals traded goals, making the score 3-3.
Colgan converted on a penalty shot to open the quarter and push the Tigers ahead. After the Hawks scored a few seconds later, freshman center defender Lauren Sabb scored on Meigs' assist.
The turning point in the game came with 3:35 left in the third quarter, when Hartwick netted a goal, the first of four unanswered Hawk scores over eight minutes. The onslaught put the game out of reach for the Tigers.
Down 8-5, Princeton went on the offensive. Meigs scored with 1:16 remaining in regulation, but it was too little, too late.
Meigs led Princeton with three goals and two assists. Kim had 12 saves for the Tigers.
"I thought we played a really great game," Nicolao said. "Unfortunately, we couldn't get that goal that would've put us up two; and they did."
Princeton will have to wait 12 more months for their chance to avenge yesterday's loss.
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