Princeton University Athletics
Women's Water Polo Upsets UMass In Tournament Finale
February 27, 2000 | Women's Water Polo
Feb. 27, 2000
PRINCETON, N.J. - When the two top women's water polo teams in the East clashed this afternoon in the final game of the 2000 Princeton Invitational at DeNunzio Pool, Massachusetts had the advantage in the latest poll, and Princeton had the advantage on the scoreboard. Cassie Nichols' (So., Santa Barbara, Calif.) game-winning goal with 28 seconds remaining in the game lifted No. 12 Princeton over No. 8 UMass 5-4.
The Minutewomen got on the board only 25 seconds into the game on a goal by Mattie Newell. That score would remain until UMass' Katie Grogan connect on a four-meter at the 3:31 mark of the second quarter. On Princeton's next possession, Nichols' shot over the goalie and into the cage drew the Tigers within one with 3:09 on the clock.
Adele McCarthy (Fr., Haydenville, Mass.) evened the issue at two goals each on a score with 1:26 remaining in the second quarter. Princeton's defense picked up the pressure, causing three shot clock violations in the second period. A save by goalie Goga Vukmirovic (Sr., Sarajevo, Bosnia) as time expired left both teams tied 2-2 at halftime. After six and half minutes of scoreless play, UMass regained the lead on a tally by Kelly Chassy. Katherine Kixmiller (Jr., Menlo Park, Calif.) found the back of the net just 17 into the final quarter to knot the score at 3-3. Princeton took its first lead on McCarthy's second goal of the day off an assist from Nichols at the 4:38 mark. The Minutewomen would not be denied, as Grogan scored on her second four-meter for a 4-4 tie.
With the clock running down, the Tigers worked the ball from side to side, looking for the right shot. Nichols took a long cross-pool pass and drilled a shot between the UMass goalie and the right post. The sophomore's heroics did not stop there as she made a steal with 14 seconds remaining to seal the victory.
Vukmirovic was sensational in the cage, making 10 saves.
The Tigers are now 5-0 on the year, and they will begin CWPA League play on March 11 against West Chester at Villanova. Action begins at 11:15 a.m.