Women's Water Polo: Weekend sweep helps title hopes

Princeton (15-8, 3-1) swept its opponents this weekend, bouncing back from a loss at Bucknell two weeks ago. The Tigers pounced on Maryland and George Washington on Saturday afternoon before toughing out a win over a physical Bucknell team on Sunday. The Tigers improved to 8-2 at home this season and have put themselves in a position to win the Southern Division crown. Bucknell currently sits atop the league, with only Maryland (12-12, 1-2) left to face at College Park, Md., next weekend.

Princeton tallied a win column by defeating Maryland 11-6 on Saturday. The Tigers capitalized in the first and third quarters, putting a total of nine goals in the back of the net in the two periods combined.

“We really wanted to come out strong this weekend,” senior driver and tri-captain Helen Meigs said. “At halftime, we were only up 6-3 and knew Maryland was going to come out and try to get back in the game. Instead, we scored five goals and really put the game away.”

George Washington (7-12, 0-4) suffered a similar defeat at the hands of the Tigers later Saturday evening. Princeton swam away from the Colonials early on, securing a 4-1 lead at the end of the first quarter. All four goals for the Tigers came off of counterattacks. Princeton continued to show its swimming prowess by pulling away from George Washington in the remaining quarters.

The Tigers carried the momentum gained on Saturday afternoon into the Sunday match against Bucknell. For the entire game, the Bison failed to pose a threat offensively. After scoring 15 goals against Princeton two weeks ago, Bucknell was held to one goal until the last two minutes of the game. Ward played spectacularly throughout, coming up with 12 saves. Ward’s fantastic play, combined with tremendous team defense stifled the Bison attack.Offensively, the Tigers struggled to pull away from Bucknell. Princeton had several missed opportunities and failed to convert several man-advantage goals.

“We should have beaten them by 10 goals,” head coach Luis Nicolao said. “We really played well defensively, but if we can put together a complete game, then we will see how good we really are.”

Junior utility Lauren Brunner scored three of Princeton’s four goals against Bucknell on Sunday.

“Brunner has really been spectacular this year,” Meigs said. “Her spirit and enthusiasm is contagious, and she has really stepped up into a leadership role during her junior year.”

The Tigers will travel to Maryland and Washington, D.C., next weekend to conclude their CWPA Southern Division league play against Maryland and George Washington. Once league play is complete, the Southern Championships will be held in DeNunzio Pool on April 24–25. Princeton hopes that this weekend of wins will be the turning point in its season.

“We really want to keep this momentum going,” Meigs said. “I am really feeling good right now, having turned in my thesis, won three games this weekend and being blessed with this good spring weather. I think we are going to ride this wave of awesomeness into next weekend.”