Princeton University
#19 Maryland
Players Mentioned
Women's Water Polo Falls in Eastern Quarters on Last Second OT Goal
April 29, 2011 | Women's Water Polo
Christine Goetsch scored the game-tying goal with 2:15 remaining in regulation and converted on a buzzer beater in the second overtime period to lift Maryland to victory. Tied 7-7 with 4:55 remaining following a man-up goal by the Tigers' Lauren Brunner, Princeton took its first and only lead of the game at 2:54 courtesy a shot by Audrey Zak. Trailing 8-7, the Terrapins turned to Goetsch who converted on a man-up chance at the 2:15 mark to knot the game at 8-to-8 and bring on overtime.
Neither team could solve their opposition's netminder through the first overtime period before Goetsch collected the ball with two seconds on the clock, cocked and fired a crossing shot which deflected off the hand of a defender and settled inches across the plane of the goalmouth for the deciding goal as the second overtime period horn sounded.
Maryland was unable to pull away from the Tigers for the entirety of the contest as the Terrapins could not build a margin larger than a pair of goals from opening whistle to the closing horn of overtime. Leading 3-1 following a penalty shot score at 4:15 of the first period, the Terrapins saw their lead dwindle down to a single strike by the end of the first period when Brunner blasted a shot to make it 3-2.
Princeton tied the game at 3-3 with 5:41 remaining in the second period when Brunner struck again with a rocket from the wings, but Maryland responded to establish a 4-3 lead at intermission. Princeton came back to tie the game as Zak zapped the Terrapins' with a man-up goal at the 3:40 mark of the third period, but Maryland countered with back-to-back tallies to regain the cushion. Maryland extended its lead to 7-4 early in the third before four straight Princeton goals made it 8-7.
Katie Rigler netted a natural goal (6:37) before Brittany Zwirner and Brunner converted on man-up chances at 5:54 and 4:55, respectively, to equal the damage at 7-7.
Brunner led the Tigers with three goals in the game while Zak added two. Molly McBee didn't score but added three assists and five steals in the loss. McBee and Rigler each had six shooting attempts in the game. Kristen Ward made 16 saves in the loss, including eight in the second half and two in overtime.
Princeton will now play for a best finish of fifth in the tournament and will meet George Washington tomorrow at 1:20 p.m.
Princeton 2 1 1 4 - 0 0 - 8
Maryland 3 1 2 2 - 0 1 - 9
Goals: Brunner 3, Zak 2, Levine 1, Rigler 1, Zwirner 1
Assists: McBee 3, Zak 1
Saves: Ward 18 (32:00)