Princeton University
Hartwick
Players Mentioned
Tigers Fall 8-6 in Eastern Title Game
April 29, 2007 | Women's Water Polo
PRINCETON -- Freshman Helen Meigs scored three times but the 18th-ranked Princeton women's water polo team was unable to overcome a late deficit as 13th-ranked Hartwick won the Eastern Championship with an 8-6 win over the Tigers.
The two teams were never separated by more than a goal until the final 7:46 of play as Hartwick took control of the game in the final seconds with strong defense and solid offense as Megan Dahl-Smith found the back of the cage at even strength and Keri James scored on an exclusion at 4:52 for the 8-6 final.
Princeton jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the game as Meigs put home an advantage goal at 6:55, but Hartwick answered at 3:43 as Dahl-Smith fired in an even strength goal. The Hawks took the lead with 6:37 left in the second period as Barbara Amaro scored on an advantage before the Tigers countered with another advantage goal by Meigs to knot the game at 2-2 with 4:33 remaining in the half.
Hartwick climbed back into the lead with 27 seconds left as Leonard scored an advantage goal, but the Tigers clawed back when senior Karina Reyner skipped a shot past Hawks' goalie Olivia Colebourne with 11 seconds left on the clock to set the score at 3-3 at halftime.
Princeton regained the lead to open the second half as senior Elyse Colgan beat Colebourne with a penalty shot at 6:02 of the third period, but the Hawks soared back to tie the game when Kirsten Hudson fed James for an even strength goal 14 seconds later.
Again the Tigers took the lead as freshman Lauren Sabb finished a pass from Meigs on an advantage opportunity with 3:58 left in the period, but Hartwick tied and took the lead for good as Kimberley Sumitch assisted Leonard at 3:35 and put in a feed from Hudson with 37 seconds left in the third period for a 6-5 lead entering the final eight minutes of play.
Following Dahl-Smith and James insurance tallies in the fourth period, Meigs closed out the game's scoring with an advantage counter goal with 1:16 remaining on the game clock to pull the Tigers to within 8-6, but the Hawks defense locked down and held on for the victory.
Hartwick 1 2 3 2 - 8
Princeton 1 2 2 1 - 6
Princteon Goals: Helen Meigs (3); Elyse Colgan; Karina Reyner; Lauren Sabb
Hartwick Goals: Megan Dahl-Smith (2); Kaitlin Leonard (2); Keri James (2); Barbara Amaro; Kimberley Sumich
Princeton Assists: Helen Meigs
Hartwick Asssists: Kirsten Hudson (2); Kimberley Sumich
Princeton Goalie Saves: Natalie Kim (12)
Hartwick Goalie Saves: Olivia Colebourne (5)
Ejections: Princeton 9, Hartwick 9
Sprints: Princeton 1, Hartwick 3