Princeton University
#1 USC
Players Mentioned
Men's Water Polo Falls in National Semifinals to USC
December 05, 2009 | Men's Water Polo
PRINCETON (12/5/09) -- A strong start by top-ranked USC proved too much for the Princeton men's water polo team in Saturday's National Collegiate Semifinal at DeNunzio Pool as the defending National Champion Trojans topped the Tigers 13-3.
USC jumped to an early lead by scoring three goals in the first quarter while holding the Tigers scoreless. Trojan goalkeeper Joel Dennerley made six saves in the opening frame while Matt Sagehorn, Shea Buckner and Jordan Thompson scored the USC goals.
The Trojan continued their strong defensive play in the second quarter and were able to build an 8-0 lead by the half and neutralize a capacity Princeton home crowd.
Princeton broke through in the third quarter and played an even eight minutes with the Trojans as junior Matt Hale put Princeton on the scoreboard less than a minute into the frame and senior Eric Vreeland added Princeton's second goal with three minutes left in the period.
USC added three goals in the final quarter while senior Mark Zalewski scored for Princeton as the score ended 13-3 in USC's favor.
Princeton junior goalkeeper Mike Merlone made eight saves in three quarters, while senior Scottie Hvidt stopped two shots in the final period. Dennerley made 10 saves for USC through two-plus quarters and Brett Giery made five stops in a little over a quarter.
Princeton will face Loyola Marymount in the third-place game tomorrow at 12 noon at DeNunzio Pool. USC will face UCLA in the championship game at 2 p.m..
Southern Cal 3 5 2 3 - 13
Princeton 0 0 2 1 - 3
USC Goals: Krumpholz 3, Buckner 2, Sagehorn 2, Thompson 2, Boswell 1, Rappel 1, Sardo 1, Sterling 1,
USC Saves: Dennerley 10, Giery 5.
USC Exclusions: 1-2
Princeton Goals: Hale 1, Vreeland 1, Zalewski 1.
Princeton Saves: Merlone 8, Hvidt 2
Princeton Exclusions: 0-1