Princeton University
Navy@
Men's Water Polo Reclaims Southern Championship
November 04, 2001 | Men's Water Polo
Nov. 4, 2001
PRINCETON, N.J. - Senior co-captain Jon Pharris (Newport Beach, Calif.) had 18 saves in another huge performance for the Princeton water polo team as it handed Navy a 6-5 loss to capture the Southern Championship. The Tigers won the title in 1999, but lost it to the Midshipmen in 2000.
These two teams traded victories earlier this season. Princeton picked up an 8-2 win back and Sept. 22 before Navy took first place in the Collegiate Water Polo Association crossover weekend on Oct. 21 with a 9-8 win over the Tigers.
The score was tied 2-2 at the half but Navy came out and scored two goals to take a 4-2 lead. Princeton fought back with three-straight scores to take a 5-4 lead. The Middies tied the game at 5-5 but sophomore Dan McKenna (Wyndmoor, Pa.) registered the game-winner with 2:20 left in the fourth period to give the Orange and Black the title with a 6-5 victory.
McKenna finished with a team-high two goals. Junior Kevin Foster (Davis, Calif.) and classmate Robert Urquhart (Ann Arbor, Mich.) each notched a goal for Princeton. Sophomores Chris Armato (Long Beach, Calif.) and D.J. Halliday (Orinda, Calif.) also added one goal apiece in the win.
Pharris came up big for the Tigers in the closing minutes of the game. He held Navy to one goal in the last quarter to help secure the win.
Princeton (17-6) will have next weekend off before returning to the pool to host the Eastern Championships on Nov. 17-18.