With less than a week to go before the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Southern Championships, the No. 16 women's water polo team is on fire. Princeton has won seven of its last eight games and has thoroughly dominated its Southern Division opponents all season. The Tigers last lost in a matchup with No. 1 Stanford on March 24.
Princeton (17-7 overall, 6-0 CWPA) completed its regular season this past weekend with two convincing wins and an unblemished league record. The Tigers rolled over Bucknell (12-14, 2-4) on Friday night, 12-9, before taking care of George Washington (6-19, 0-6) by a score of 10-7. Senior co-captain and driver Karina Reyner netted seven goals on the weekend, raising her season total to 43.
"We're really looking forward to getting through the season," head coach Luis Nicolao said. "It's just a matter of staying healthy and getting ready for the last five games of the year."
Against Bucknell, Princeton bolted to an early lead. The game quickly became one-sided, as the Tigers established a 4-0 lead only five minutes into the first quarter and carried that momentum into the second quarter for an 8-3 halftime lead.
Yet the Bison offense — which managed to net 12 goals the last time the two teams met — refused to give in. In the second half, Valentina Rozas and Audrey Rowe rallied Bucknell, cutting a six-point deficit to just three goals. The comeback, however, wasn't enough to topple Princeton, which hasn't lost to the Bison since 2004.
Reyner and senior utility player Elyse Colgan combined for eight out of the Tigers' 12 goals against Bucknell. Freshman utility player Phoebe Champion fired two goals past the Bison's Mandy Bynum, and junior goalkeeper Natalie Kim made nine saves for Princeton.
Saturday, the Tigers traveled to Washington, D.C., to face the Colonials, who are on a five-game losing streak. Princeton's match against hapless George Washington was surprisingly close for the first few minutes of regulation. Colgan played very little as Nicolao tried to give the rest of the rotation more playing time. As the first quarter drew to a close, the teams were tied 2-2.
After a quick break, Princeton reasserted itself in the second quarter, scoring four unanswered goals to take a 6-2 advantage heading into halftime. The Tigers quickly extended their lead to 8-2 in the third quarter before the home team scored five of the game's last seven goals.
Princeton ran into foul trouble against the Colonials, but its defense held fast, thwarting George Washington in 11 out of its 14 man-up scoring opportunities. Kim recorded seven saves in the first three quarters, with senior center Samantha Shaughnessy relieving Kim in goal for the final quarter.
For its part, the Orange and Black offense kept Colonial goalkeeper Julie Jacoby busy in the net. Jacoby made an impressive 15 saves, but she also allowed five Tigers to score 10 goals. Reyner and senior utility player Jazmin Brown led the way with three goals apiece. Freshman utility player Helen Meigs contributed two more, while sophomore utility player Kara Murphy and freshman utility player Lauren Sabb each chipped in one goal.
With the regular season out of the way, Nicolao and his squad are setting their sights on Saturday's Southern Championships in College Park, Md. Since the Southern Division consists of only three teams other than Princeton — Bucknell, George Washington and a Maryland team that the Tigers have already defeated four times this year — this past weekend's performance bodes well for Princeton's chances of capturing its fourth-consecutive Southern Division title.
Nevertheless, Nicolao has some advice for his squad, who he thinks has a good chance at winning next Saturday.
"What we've done up to now means nothing," Nicolao said. "Southerns can affect our seed at Easterns, so our team [needs] to prepare for each game like it's our last game of the year and to do the best we can."
Princeton is scheduled to play the Colonials again next weekend in the first round of the league tournament.
Read More
No. 7 women’s lacrosse season ends in NCAA quarterfinals against No. 1 UNC
Hayk YengibaryanWith the loss, the career of senior attacker Mackenzie Blake comes to an end. Blake finished her career with a program-best 231 career goals and three first-team All-Ivy selections.
With the loss, the career of senior attacker Mackenzie Blake comes to an end. Blake finished her career with a program-best 231 career goals and three first-team All-Ivy selections.
No. 3 men’s lacrosse season ends in NCAA quarterfinals after 19–18 loss to No. 5 Syracuse
Hayk YengibaryanWith the win, Syracuse advances to the final four for the first time since 2013. For the Tigers, their season ends along with the career of senior standout attacker Coulter Mackesy.
With the win, Syracuse advances to the final four for the first time since 2013. For the Tigers, their season ends along with the career of senior standout attacker Coulter Mackesy.
Preview: No. 3 men’s lacrosse plays No. 5 Syracuse in NCAA quarterfinals
Hayk YengibaryanShould the Tigers beat the Orange, they will advance to the Final Four for the first time since 2022 as they look to win their first national championship since 2001.
Should the Tigers beat the Orange, they will advance to the Final Four for the first time since 2022 as they look to win their first national championship since 2001.