Princeton University
Michigan
Players Mentioned
Princeton Falls in CWPA Semifinals to No. 5 Michigan, 9-8
May 01, 2016 | Women's Water Polo
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – The No. 17 Princeton women's water polo team dropped a heartbreaking 9-8 decision to the No. 5 Michigan Wolverines in the semifinals of the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Championship on Saturday afternoon at the Blodgett Pool.
Sophomores Sydney Cheong and Haley Wan had team-high two goals for the Tigers while four other players scored for Princeton. Sophomore Helena van Brande made 12 saves in the loss.
The No. 5 nationally ranked Wolverines got off to fast start as they scored four of the first five goals of the contest. A tally from junior Morgan Hallock was sandwiched between two more tallies for Michigan, making the score 6-2 with 3:08 to go in the first half. The Tigers tacked on a goal before halftime, but trailed 6-3 at intermission.
Princeton put pressure on Michigan with the first two goals of the third quarter to cut its deficit to one (6-5) at the 3:30 mark of the stanza. The Wolverines kept their distance with a tally, staying in front, 7-5 after three frames.
After the Tigers got within one for a second time, the Wolverines went back-to-back to take a 9-6 lead with 1:53 left in the game. The Tigers made one more run as they got goals from Cheong and senior Pippa Temple, but were held off the scoreboard over the final 34 seconds.
With the loss, Princeton will take on No. 21 Hartwick tomorrow (12 p.m.) in the CWPA third place game. Princeton has defeated Hartwick once already this season, winning 13-12 two weeks ago.
Goals: Cheong (2), Wan (2), Hallock (1), Johnson (1), Kelleher (1), Temple (1)
Assists: Britt (1), Johnson (1), Kelleher (1), Smith (1)
Steals: Wan (3), van Brande (2), Johnson (1)
Drawn Ejections: Hallock (3), Johnson (2), Kelleher (2), Britt (1), Cheong (1), Temple (1)
Blocks: Britt (1)
Saves: van Brande (12)
Sprints: Britt (0-2), Wan (0-2)