Princeton University Athletics
Tigers Open 2000 Campaign With 12-5 Win
February 16, 2000 | Women's Water Polo
Feb. 16, 2000
PRINCETON, N.J. - In the opening game of the 2000 season, the Princeton women's water polo team did not disappoint, defeating Villanova 12-5 at DeNunzio Pool. The Tigers outscored the Wildcats 5-0 in the final quarter to pull away with a seven-goal win.
Just 30 seconds into the game, freshman Jenny Edwards (Houston, Texas) scored her first of three goals on the night. Last year's leading scorer, Cassie Nichols (So., Santa Barbara, Calif.), scored a goal in the first and second quarters, and the Tigers led 3-1 at halftime.
Feeling a little under the weather, Goga Vukmirovic (Sr., Sarajevo, Bosnia) played the first two periods, tallying six saves and giving up only one goal. Head coach Luis Nicolao went to freshman Jenny Hildenbrand (Mountain View, Calif.) for the second half. Hildenbrand was exceptional in her first action in the cage, making seven saves.
Nichols led Princeton with four goals and three assists, and Edwards added three goals and two assists. The freshman class continued to contribute, as first-year players Adele McCarthy (Haydenville, Mass.) and Morgan Voeltz (Irvine, Calif.) added to the scoring output. McCarthy had two goals, two assists and a team-high four steals, while Voeltz had a goal and a steal.
Five different Tigers scored in the final seven minutes, including junior Alina Brown (University Place, Washington.).
The Tigers are now 1-0 on the year and will be back in action on Friday, Feb. 25, as they host Indiana as part of the 2000 Princeton Invitational.