Women's Water Polo: Tigers take 2 but fall to No. 7 Michigan at DeNunzio Pool

Bucknell (10-10) came out fast by capitalizing on man-advantage situations. Princeton’s freshman Katie Rigler responded to each goal, tying up the game each time. With three goals from Rigler, the Tigers ended the first quarter 3-2 and didn’t trail again. In the second quarter, Princeton took a definitive lead, widening the margin to end at 7-4. In the second half of the game, Princeton scored five goals and held the Bison scoreless except for one backhand shot that hit the back of the goal in the first 30 seconds of the third quarter.

The game against No. 7 Michigan (23-4) didn’t appear to be close at first, but the Tigers proved able to come back from anything.

Within the first minute and a half of the first quarter, Michigan jumped to a 3-0 lead.

Princeton scored two goals off man-advantage situations but ended the first quarter down 2-6.

The Tigers turned the game around in the second quarter and held the Wolverines scoreless, coming back into game with three goals to make the score 5-6 at the end of the first half. In the middle of the third quarter, the Tigers took the lead for the first time at 8-7.

Michigan fought back, tying up the game twice, but Princeton kept its lead until fewer than two minutes remained.

The Wolverines took the lead again, 10-11, and in the remaining time widened the margin to end the game at 10-12.

Senior attack Lauren Brunner recorded three of the Tigers’ 10 goals.

The Tigers played consistently against the Wolverines, scoring two or three goals each quarter. Michigan’s strategy seemed to be a strong start and finish. Of the Wolverines’ 12 goals, 11 were scored in the first or last quarter.

They had a six-goal first quarter, a five-goal final quarter and only found the back of the cage once in the middle of the game.

After the morning loss to Michigan, Princeton returned to the pool to defeat St. Francis (3-10).

Jumping to a six-goal lead in the first quarter while holding the Terriers scoreless, Princeton sealed the easy 11-2 win.

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Sophomore attack Laura Martinez recorded two goals, while Brunner and sophomore left attack Rachel Gyorffy each notched a goal. Junior goalie Grace du Pont tallied 11 saves in 24 minutes of play.

On Saturday, the Tigers also played an exhibition game against the New York Athletic Club. Defeating NYAC 10-6, the Tigers did not let their opponent outscore them in any quarter.

On Thursday, the Tigers will host the Villanova Wildcats at DeNunzio Pool at 7:30 p.m.