Princeton University Athletics
Tigers Fall to UMass, Defeat Bucknell in Eastern Championships
November 17, 2001 | Men's Water Polo
Nov. 17, 2001
PRINCETON, N.J. -- Jon Pharris had a gutsy performance in goal for Princeton but defensive mistakes cost the men's water polo team in a tough 10-7 loss to Massachusettes in the first round of the Eastern Championships. With the loss, Princeton fell to 13-5 and was eliminated from having a chance to win the tournament. Two easy first period goals for the Minutemen put the Tigers in a hole early, and Princeton was battling back to try and tie the score all game. Dan McKenna scored three goals for Princeton, while Kevin Foster and Robert Urquhart added two a piece.
The Tigers rebounded strongly in their second game against Bucknell as the defense showed new invigoration. Princeton led 4-1 at halftime but ran away with the game after the break. Princeton scored nine unanswered goals to complete the blowout. Jon Pharris made 6 saves in the first half for Princeton, and added an assist in the second half. But the real story was freshman goalkeeper Peter Sabbatini, who made eight saves while shutting out Bucknell over the second half. Sabbatini made a spectacular save on a 4-meter penalty shot late in the game. Ten different players scored for the Tigers, with Urquhart notching three goals.
Princeton advances to the consolation semifinal tomorrow. Princeton will face Navy at 11:00 a.m. for fifth place.