Princeton University Athletics
Princeton University
UCLA (NCAA Semifinals)
Water Polo Misses Semifinal Stunner. Falls To UCLA In OT
December 04, 2004 | Men's Water Polo
Dec. 4, 2004
PALO ALTO, Calif. - Water polo may be a California-dominated sport, but the Eastern programs can stand proud thanks to one of their own. The Princeton men's water polo team forced No. 2 UCLA to overtime by scoring a goal with 45 seconds left, but the Bruins eventually pulled out the 7-5 win.
"We're obviously disappointed," head coach Luis Nicolao said after leading Princeton to its first trip to the water polo Final Four. "It was one of those bittersweet games. We couldn't have asked more of our guys. We're proud of our guys. We played great. We wish UCLA luck tomorrow. We're always battling for respect. We feel strongly that we have some good water polo back East. We're always looking to make a name for ourselves. We do a good job of playing defense, and letting our goalie know where the ball was coming from." The Tigers led 1-0 after the first period on a goal by Dean Riskas. The score was tied 2-2 at halftime and 3-3 after three periods. UCLA went in front, 5-4, with 5:45 left in regulation on a goal by Peter Belden, but Princeton tied the game with 45 seconds remaining in regulation on a goal by John Stover.
UCLA's Ted Peck scored the only goal by either team in the first overtime. In the second overtime, UCLA's Josh Hewko scored at 2:40 to make it 6-4, but Stover scored for Princeton at 1:38 to make it 6-5. But Albert Garcia added an insurance goal at 1:26 of the second overtime to give UCLA a two goal lead.
"Today's game meant a lot for Princeton," goalkeeper Peter Sabbatini said. "And to the guys on the team this meant a lot. It meant a lot to have all the fans (in the stands) today. Our parents, fans, friends and players who could not travel today with the team all supported us from the beginning to the end of the season. Our alumni is amazing. It means a lot to us."