Princeton University
Harvard
Players Mentioned
No. 20 Women?s Water Polo Sweeps Opening Day Action at Princeton Invitational
February 11, 2012 | Women's Water Polo
Behind a solid defensive effort and contributions from the newcomers, the No. 20 Princeton women's water polo team kicked off the 2012 campaign with a 9-6 victory over Harvard and a 10-2 win over Mercyhurst to open the Princeton Invitational.
Versus the Crimson, the Tigers (2-0) took an early 1-0 lead in the first quarter, behind a strong defensive line and a pair of saves from goalie Kristen Ward. Their early advantage would be key in creating a point cushion as the game would progress.
Harvard would get on the board with a pair of goals in the second quarter, but Princeton remained poised and tacked on three of their own to remain in control of the game. They would go on to outscore Harvard 5-4 in the final two quarters of action to hold onto the lead and earn their first win of the year.
In the game, the Tiger defense prevented the Crimson from ever being able to swing the game momentum. Ward went on to tally 12 saves in the cage and the squad had five field blocks.
On the offensive end, the freshmen made their collegiate debut a memorable one. Both Kelly Gross and Jessie Holechek notched a pair of goals, while classmate Camille Hooks had a goal on a Tiger counter attack. Veterans Molly McBee, Saranna Soroka, Audrey Zak and Brittany Zwirner also got in on the scoring game with a goal apiece.
Princeton closed out the day in dominating fashion, dropping the Lakers 10-2. In another solid defensive effort by the Tigers, Princeton jumped out early on Mercyhurst and never looked back.
Katie Rigler led the scoring attack with three goals, while McBee and Soroka each tallied a pair of goals and a steal. Zwirner scored her second goal of the season in the game, while Gross had a goal, assist and steal in her first career start. Freshman Ashley Hatcher rounded out Princeton's scoring efforts with a goal and a pair of steals.
Goalie Ward had a save and a pair of steals in less than two quarters of work. Senior Katlin Poladian came in the game at the 3:55-minute mark to tally a save in her season debut.
Princeton will conclude weekend action on Sunday, Feb. 12 facing Colorado State at 9:45 a.m. and Villanova at 3 p.m.
Princeton: 1 - 3 - 3 - 2
Harvard: 0 - 2 - 3 - 1
Goals: Gross 2, Holenchek 2, Hooks 1, Soroka 1, McBee 1, Zak 1, Zwirner 1
Assists: Hatcher 1, Rigler 1, Ward 1
Saves: Ward 12
Princeton: 3 - 5 - 0 - 2
Mercyhurst: 0 - 1 - 0 - 1
Goals: Gross 1, Hatcher 1, Soroka 2, McBee 2, Rigler 3, Zwirner 1
Assists: Dunstan 1, Gross 1, Gyorffy, 1, Soroka 1, Zak 1
Saves: Ward 2, Poladian 1
Princeton Invitational Day 1 Scores: