Players Mentioned
No. 15 Women's Water Polo To Take Part in Bucknell Invite
February 25, 2016 | Women's Water Polo
PRINCETON, N.J. – The No. 15 ranked Princeton women's water polo team will take part in the Bucknell Invitational this weekend at the Kinney Natatorium. The Tigers will battle Wagner (1 p.m.) and VMI (5:30 p.m.) on Saturday (Feb. 27) along with Gannon (8 a.m.) on Sunday (Feb. 28).
Princeton is 14-0 all-time vs Wagner with its last victory coming in the 2015 NCAA Tournament Play-In Game. The Tigers have won its two matchups in program history over VMI and has not lost in six tries vs. Gannon.
Wagner is ranked 20th in the latest CWPA varsity poll. The Seahawks are currently 7-7 on the season, having gone 2-1 at the Princeton Invitational two weeks ago. VMI will get its season underway at this weekend's Bucknell Invitational. Gannon is 2-3 in 2016 with victories over Siena and Washington and Jefferson College.
Head coach Luis Nicolao's squad is 4-0 on the young season after going unbeaten during the Princeton Invitational. The Tigers began the 2016 campagin with a 12-10 comeback victory over Cal Baptist before outscoring Villanova, Cal Lutheran and Iona, 47-19. Sophomore Haley Wan was named the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) National Player of the Week after scoring 11 goals and dishing out six assists during the tournament.
The Tigers have used a balanced attack with seven different players scoring at least five goals. Along with Wan, some other standouts include junior Morgan Hallock (eight goals, four assists), and senior Pippa Temple (seven goals, four assists). Princeton has received some big contributions from its freshmen class. Lindsey Kelleher has added seven goals, four assists along with Eliza Britt with five tallies and four assists.
On the defensive end, the team has snagged 40 steals and blocked five attempts in four games. Hallock leads the Tigers with eight swipes while five other players have at least four.
Sophomore goalie Helena van Brande has started off the season in stellar fashion. van Brande has recorded a .517 save percentage and 30 saves. She has also contributed three assists and six steals.