Princeton University Athletics
Saturday, September 2
Annapolis, Md.
10:30 AM
Princeton University
vs
Salem International
Photo by: Beverly Schaefer
No. 11 Tigers Begin At Navy Invitational This Weekend
August 31, 2017 | Men's Water Polo
ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The No. 11 Princeton Tigers begin the 2017 season at the Navy Invitational this weekend (Sept. 2-3).
The season gets underway with a tripleheader on Saturday. Princeton opens up with Salem International (10:30 a.m.) before battles vs. Fordham (1:30 p.m.) and LaSalle (4:30 p.m.). The Navy Invitational wraps up with a contest vs. the host school at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday. That match will be streamed for free on Patriot League TV.
The Tigers have never lost to Salem International in 11 meetings, earning a 25-8 victory last season. Princeton's 25 goals in the game were one shy of the program record. Head coach Luis Nicolao's unit has also never lost to Fordham (13-0), dropping the Rams, 17-10, in 2016. LaSalle started its program two years ago and has never faced Princeton. Navy leads the all-time series against Princeton, 35-32, but the Tigers have eight in a row, dating back to 2013.
Princeton returns its top five scorers including goalie Vojislav Mitrovic from the 2016 squad that lost to the Northeast Water Polo Conference (NWPC) Champion, Harvard, by one goal in the conference semifinals. With a majority of its offensive core coming back, the Tigers seeks a return to the conference title game for the fourth time in five seasons.
Three top returners include Jordan Colina, Matt Payne and Mitrovic. Last season, the trio gave Princeton three All-Americans for the first time in program history. It was the first All-America accolades for Colina and Payne and the third for Mitrovic.
2016 was Colina's third straight campaign with at least 50+ goals as he finished with 56 tallies. He also added 58 steals, 35 assists and 23 drawn ejections.
Mitrovic went 12-9 in 2016 with a .622 save percentage, leading to an All-NWPC second team honor. His 291 saves were the second most in a single-season while he became Princeton's all-time leader in career saves (845).
Payne had one of the greatest seasons in program history as he was the only player to ever score at least 60 goals and dish out 50 assists in a year. His 69 tallies are the fifth most in a single season while 54 assists were the second most. He was named to the All-NWPC and All-NWPC Tournament first teams.
Other top returners include Sean Duncan, who finished with 49 goals, a team-best 61 drawn ejections and was named the NWPC Rookie of the Year. Making the second team All-NWPC Tournament squad, Ryan Wilson had nine points during Princeton's third place finish. He ended the 2016 season with 34 goals, 46 assists, 36 steals and 27 drawn ejections.
Navy Invitational Schedule
Saturday, Sept. 2
Princeton vs. Salem International – 10:30 a.m.
Princeton vs. Fordham – 1:30 p.m.
Princeton vs. LaSalle – 4:30 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 3
Princeton at Navy – 9:30 a.m. – Patriot League TV
The season gets underway with a tripleheader on Saturday. Princeton opens up with Salem International (10:30 a.m.) before battles vs. Fordham (1:30 p.m.) and LaSalle (4:30 p.m.). The Navy Invitational wraps up with a contest vs. the host school at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday. That match will be streamed for free on Patriot League TV.
The Tigers have never lost to Salem International in 11 meetings, earning a 25-8 victory last season. Princeton's 25 goals in the game were one shy of the program record. Head coach Luis Nicolao's unit has also never lost to Fordham (13-0), dropping the Rams, 17-10, in 2016. LaSalle started its program two years ago and has never faced Princeton. Navy leads the all-time series against Princeton, 35-32, but the Tigers have eight in a row, dating back to 2013.
Princeton returns its top five scorers including goalie Vojislav Mitrovic from the 2016 squad that lost to the Northeast Water Polo Conference (NWPC) Champion, Harvard, by one goal in the conference semifinals. With a majority of its offensive core coming back, the Tigers seeks a return to the conference title game for the fourth time in five seasons.
Three top returners include Jordan Colina, Matt Payne and Mitrovic. Last season, the trio gave Princeton three All-Americans for the first time in program history. It was the first All-America accolades for Colina and Payne and the third for Mitrovic.
2016 was Colina's third straight campaign with at least 50+ goals as he finished with 56 tallies. He also added 58 steals, 35 assists and 23 drawn ejections.
Mitrovic went 12-9 in 2016 with a .622 save percentage, leading to an All-NWPC second team honor. His 291 saves were the second most in a single-season while he became Princeton's all-time leader in career saves (845).
Payne had one of the greatest seasons in program history as he was the only player to ever score at least 60 goals and dish out 50 assists in a year. His 69 tallies are the fifth most in a single season while 54 assists were the second most. He was named to the All-NWPC and All-NWPC Tournament first teams.
Other top returners include Sean Duncan, who finished with 49 goals, a team-best 61 drawn ejections and was named the NWPC Rookie of the Year. Making the second team All-NWPC Tournament squad, Ryan Wilson had nine points during Princeton's third place finish. He ended the 2016 season with 34 goals, 46 assists, 36 steals and 27 drawn ejections.
Navy Invitational Schedule
Saturday, Sept. 2
Princeton vs. Salem International – 10:30 a.m.
Princeton vs. Fordham – 1:30 p.m.
Princeton vs. LaSalle – 4:30 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 3
Princeton at Navy – 9:30 a.m. – Patriot League TV
Players Mentioned
ATT
/ Men's Water Polo
C
/ Men's Water Polo
G
/ Men's Water Polo
DR
/ Men's Water Polo
UTL
/ Men's Water PoloTuesday, June 04
Wednesday, June 22
Monday, June 06
Wednesday, December 01