Princeton University
St. Francis N.Y. (Princeton Invitational)
Men's Water Polo Finishes Weekend 5-0
September 12, 2004 | Men's Water Polo
Sept. 12, 2004
Princeton, N.J. - John Stover scored five goals in two games as the Princeton men's water polo team improved to 5-0 this season and concluded its annual Princeton Invitational Tournament. The Tigers upset St. Francis 13-10 and then defeated George Washington 8-4 on Sunday for their fifth win in three days.
"Overall it was a great weekend for our guys," head coach Luis Nicolao said. "We need to use this weekend as a spring board and keep getting better."
The Tigers first played St. Francis, who they led 2-1 at the end of the first period and 5-4 at the half. The Terriers' starting goalie was ejected from the game at the half, Princeton junior Jamal Motlagh fouled out in the third quarter, and St. Francis' starting two-meter man Botond Szalma was ejected with three fouls at the start of the fourth quarter, when the Tigers led 8-7.
Princeton scored the first two goals of the fourth for a 10-7 advantage with four minutes to play before St. Francis cut the lead to 11-10 with 2:38 remaining. The Tigers pulled away in the final minutes for the 13-10 win.
Stover finished with three goals while Peter Sabbtatini had a season-high 10 saves. Chris Kelsch, Reid Joseph, Nicholas Seaver and Motlagh each scored two goals for Princeton.
"I was really proud that our team kept their composure while the St Francis players lost theirs," Nicolao said."It was a nice win for us early in the season."
In the 8-4 win over George Washington, Stover scored twice while Sean Dryden, Jacob Harter, Kelsch, Seaver and Motlagh each had one goal. Freshman Scott Syverson had nine saves in the cage.