Princeton University
#12 Navy
Players Mentioned
Men's Water Polo Edges Navy to Claim Eastern Title and NCAA Berth
November 22, 2009 | Men's Water Polo
In a game between the top two teams from the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Southern Division, Princeton avenged last year's Eastern Championship loss when the third-seeded Midshipmen knocked off top-seeded and Southern Division Champion Tigers 9-6 at home in Annapolis, Maryland.
The victory marks the Princeton's third Eastern Championship in six title games following victories in 2004 (vs. St. Francis College) and 1992 (vs. Slippery Rock University) and losses in 2003 (vs. Navy), 2006 (vs. Navy) and 2008 (vs. Navy).
A key to the game was Princeton's ability to field block as the Tigers recorded 10 stops on shots before they reached goalie junior Mike Merlone, while Merlone chipped in eight saves and the posts added two more in the defensive effort.
Princeton wasted no time in taking the lead as Hale split the Midshipmen defense blockade in front of the cage for a score 51 seconds into the first period. Junior Jeff Cole contributed another goal with 4:26 left in the period as the Tigers jumped out to a 2-0 lead through eight minutes of play.
The teams traded goals in the second period with Navy's Stevie Ray cutting into the Tigers' lead with a goal to make it 2-1, but Hale countered with a five-meter penalty shot at 3:56 to make it 3-1 at halftime.
Navy pulled even and took the lead to open the third period as Kyle Wertz scored on the Mids only man-up opportunity of the afternoon at 6:36 before Luke Baldwin and Conor Handley lit the scoreboard with goals at 4:52 and 4:06, respectively, to give the Midshipmen a 4-3 lead.
Hale responded for Princeton as he deked his defender and ripped a past the outstretched arms of Navy goalie Brett Rajchel on a man-up opportunity with 2:14 remaining in the period to even the scoring at 4-4.
The tie lasted for 2:12 before sophomore Chris Cottrell put the Tigers ahead with deciding goal two seconds left in the period for the game-winning score.
Unlike the third period in which five goals were posted, the fourth period was defense oriented as the Tigers field blocked four shots and Navy stymied Princeton's attempts at padding its lead. Due to both squad's defensive pressure and stands in front of their cages, neither team could change the scoreboard making Cottrell's marker stand-up as the difference maker.
Overall, a key to the game was Princeton's ability to draw ejections as the Tigers held an 8-to-1 advantage in ejections drawn and cashed in on two of their chances.
Between the pipes, Merlone was rock steady down the stretch grabbing three steals, including a gutsy play late in the game in which he left his goalmouth to swipe the ball during a one-on-one breakaway against an offensive player to preserve the Tigers lead and title hopes.
For Navy, four different players scored while Rajechel made eight saves.
Following the title game, Princeton senior Douglas Wigley was crowned the Eastern Tournament's Most Valuable Player and Tiger Head Coach Luis Nicolao earned Eastern Coach of the Tournament honors for the second time in his career. Senior Mark Zalewski was also named to the All-Tournament team.
No. 18 Princeton University 2 1 2 0 -- 5
No. 12 United States Naval Academy 0 1 3 0 -- 4
Navy Goals: Luke Baldwin; Conor Handley; Stevie Ray; Kyle Wertz
Princeton Goals: Matt Hale (3); Chris Cottrell; Jeff Cole
Saves: Navy - Brett Rajchel (8) ; Princeton - Mike Merlone (7)
Exclusions: Navy - 8 ; Princeton - 1
Advantage Opportunities: Navy - 1-for-1 ; Princeton - 2-for-8
Sprints: Navy - 0-for-4 ; Princeton- 4-for-4
Referees: Mark Koganov, Alex Stankevitch