Princeton University Athletics
Players Mentioned
Hale and Merlone Earn All-America Honors
February 01, 2011 | Men's Water Polo
PRINCETON (2/1/11) - Seniors Matt Hale and Mike Merlone of the Princeton men's water polo team were named to the Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches 2010 Men's All-America Teams. Both received honorable mentions.
Hale received an honorable mention for the second consecutive season. He scored 25 goals in 27 games as a senior, helping Princeton to a Southern Championship and a third-place finish at Easterns. Hale led the team with 29 assists, 56 steals and 12 field blocks.
Merlone was 18-8 in the Princeton goal as a senior, making 230 saves for a nearly 60 percent save percentage. Merlone also added 24 assists and 40 steals for the Tigers. A three-year starter in goal, he completed his Princeton career as the program's all-time saves leader.
Merlone becomes the ninth Princetonian to earn All-America honors, joining Hale, Chad Elliott, Chris Gratian, Kevin Foster, Peter Sabbatini, John Stover, Nicholas Seaver and Brendan Colgan. Hale is one of five to be honored on more than one occasion.