Princeton University Athletics
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No. 11 Princeton Men's Water Polo Returns to Action at Bucknell
October 08, 2015 | Men's Water Polo
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PRINCETON, N.J. – After a two-week layoff, the 11th-ranked Princeton University men's water polo team returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 10 at Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Southern Division rival Bucknell University.
The Tigers carry a 9-3 (2-0 CWPA) record into Saturday's contest, while the Bison hold an 8-3 (1-1 CWPA) mark. Game time is set for 7 p.m. This weekend's action will be streamed live on the Patriot League Network.
LAST TIME OUT
• The Tigers opened CWPA Southern Division play on Sept. 26-27 against Johns Hopkins and George Washington.
• Princeton outlasted Johns Hopkins in overtime, 17-15, before dispatching of George Washington 14-9.
• Thomas Nelson led the way against the Blue Jays, netting six goals while nabbing three steals. Jordan Colina had four goals and collected a career high seven steals, while Ryan Wilson and Connor McGoldrick each had two scores. Michael Swart chipped in with a goal and four assists, while Vojislav Mitrovic made 13 saves.
• Nelson once again paced the Tigers' attack against the Colonials with four goals and two steals. Wilson had four goals and three assists, while Swart had two goals and three helpers. Colina added a goal and an assist.
GETTING DEFENSIVE
• Vojislav Mitrovic was named the CWPA Southern Division Defensive Player of the Week after a pair of strong performances against Johns Hopkins and George Washington.
• Turning away 13 shots in 38 minutes against the Blue Jays, Mitrovic made 13 saves on 19 shots he faced in 27:59 minutes of action against the Colonials.
• Logging 310:46 minutes this season, Mitrovic has posted an 8-3 record with a 0.571 save percentage, 15 assists, and 12 steals.
• Mitrovic's 253 saves in 2014 rank second all-time on the program's single-season charts.
• Since bursting onto the scene last season, Mitrovic has picked up four CWPA Southern Defensive Player of the Week honors, while also earning one Southern Rookie of the Week accolade.
• Mitrovic's honor is the third for the Tigers this season. Thomas Nelson was named the Southern Player of the Week on Sept. 7, while Ryan Wilson garnered Rookie of the Week honors on Sept. 21.
SHARING THE WEALTH
• All 13 of Princeton field players have recorded a goal this season with six different Tigers netting at least 10 goals.
• Thomas Nelson leads the way with a team-high 33 goals on 64 shots (0.516), while Jordan Colina has 24 goals. Freshmen Ryan Wilson and Michael Swart each have 21 scores, while Jovan Jeremic and Eric Bowen have 14 and 11 goals, respectively.
• Each of Princeton's 13 field players have also recorded an assist this season, with four Tigers dishing out double-digit helpers.
• Jamie Kuprenas and Swart each have a team-high 17 assists, while Wilson has 15 helpers. Jeremic has tallied 12 assists on the season.
YOUTH MOVEMENT
• Princeton's freshmen have made an immediate impact this season, combining for 48 goals and 35 assists.
• Ryan Wilson and Michael Swart are tied for third on the team in goals with 21 apiece.
• Swart is tied for the team-lead in assists (17), while Wilson ranks second (15).
• The duo have also combined for 31 steals, 21 drawn ejections, eight blocks, and a 12-9 mark on sprints.
• In four appearances this season, Matt Payne has collected six goals and three assists.
• Ryan Melosini has made the most of his limited action in net, posting a 0.646 save percentage in 79:14 minutes.
SERIES HISTORY
• Princeton is 42-14 all-time against Bucknell.
• The Tigers own a 19-3 mark at home, while going just 11-10 on the road. Princeton holds a 12-1 mark over the Bison on neutral sites.
• Princeton won all three meetings between the programs last season. Defeating Bucknell at DeNunzio Pool on Sept. 28, 9-6, the Tigers edged out the Bison in the regular season finale, 10-8. Princeton clipped Bucknell in the Southern Division championship game on Nov. 9, 12-10.
LAST MEETING
• Clashing for the third time last season, Princeton earned a 12-10 win over Bucknell in the Southern Division championship game.
• With Princeton holding a 4-3 lead in the opening period, Bucknell netted five unanswered goals in the second quarter. Down 9-5 in the third quarter, Jordan Colina kick-started a 5-0 Tiger run. With the game tied in the waning moments of regulation, Jovan Jeremic netted what proved to be the game winner with just over a minute remaining.
• Curtis Fink had two goals, while Colina, Jeremic, Thomas Nelson and Connor McGoldrick also had a score. Jamie Kuprenas finished with four steals, while Nelson had a pair of assists. Vojislav Mitrovic made two saves.
BUCKNELL LAST TIME OUT
• Bucknell split a pair of games against George Washington and Johns Hopkins on Sept. 26.
• The Bison downed the Colonials in overtime, 14-12, while edging out Johns Hopkins, 13-12.
• Jeff Hagen had five goals against George Washington, while Sean Daley turned in a hat-trick. Ratimir Babic and Stefan Aleksic combined for seven assists. Charlie Niehaus finished with 13 saves.
• Aleksic tallied five goals against Johns Hopkins, while Hagen had three scores. Babic collected three assists, while Niehaus stopped 11 shots.
SCOUTING BUCKNELL
• The Bison carry an 8-3 (1-1 CWPA Southern) record into Saturday night's showdown.
• 16 different Bucknell players have recorded a point this season, with eight different players tallying at least 10 points.
• Stefan Aleksic leads the way with 36 points on 23 goals and 13 assists, while Jeff Hagen has 22 goals and an assist.
• Sean Daley has eight goals and 15 assists, while Babic has tallied 12 goals and 10 assists. Tommy Stupp has 17 points, while Marko Djordjevic and Nate Hunter have 16 and 12 points, respectively. Borna Bolanca has 10 points on seven goals and three assists.
• Charlie Niehaus has seen the majority of time in net, posting a 0.471 save percentage in 290:25 minutes.