Princeton University Athletics
Photo by: Jessica Castellano
Amy Castellano's Princeton Journey
April 23, 2020 | Women's Water Polo
Three, two, three and five.
That's number of goals that Amy Castellano scored in each of her final four games.
It was just another typical four-game stretch for Castellano.
Then there were no more games.
As the Tigers were preparing for their West Coast trip to California for Spring Break, their season was cancelled due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
With that, Castellano's magical career was over.
167 career goals. 93 career assists.
Oh … what could have been.
Castellano's Princeton journey began in May of 2016 as the team announced the Class of 2020. The two-time high school captain set the program record at Yorba Linda in career goals and goals in a single-season.
That gave Princeton fans an idea of the type of player Castellano was.
Her first collegiate game was against Iona in February of 2017. She scored twice. Her first hat trick came a week later vs. Claremont Mudd-Scripps.
Castellano wasn't scared of ranked teams as a freshman. At the Crimson Invitational, she registered a combined nine tallies vs. No. 23 Marist, No. 21 Wagner and No. 16 UC-San Diego.
Unfortunately, when the team was in California, Castellano suffered an injury that finished her season. She finished with 23 goals in 14 games. The Tigers went on to finish 24-4 overall, losing to Michigan in the CWPA Championship game.
As a sophomore, Castellano began the campaign with four goals as the Tigers started with four losses against ranked foes at the Arizona State Challenge. Princeton eventually righted the ship, winning six straight.
After losing two games vs. No. 13 Hartwick and No. 9 Michigan, Castellano broke out with five goals in an 13-7 victory over Brown.
As conference play got into full swing, the sophomore posted a hat trick vs. No. 13 Indiana. She was later part of the takedown of No. 9 Michigan in double overtime, ending the Wolverines' 20-game winning streak and 24-game conference winning streak.
Following a loss to No. 3 USC, Princeton ended the regular season with eight straight wins. The Tigers extended that streak to 10 before losing to No. 10 Michigan in the CWPA Championship Game for the second consecutive year.
Castellano's outstanding sophomore year saw her put up 46 goals, 31 assists, a team-best 57 steals and sprint wins and 19 drawn ejections.
You think that's a good season?
Just wait.
As a junior, Castellano played in all 30 games. She scored in all, but three of them and had 21 multi-goal outings.
Incredible.
How about this stretch? From Feb. 9-22 … the junior's goal total went like this … Hat trick, four goals, four goals, hat trick. One of those games … four goals and a personal-best five helpers at Villanova … another contest saw her put up three more tallies and three helpers.
She scored half of the team's goals vs. No. 19 Wagner (five) and contributed four more tallies vs. No. 24 Cal-Baptist and at Concordia.
After coming home from California, Princeton went 4-1 to finish the regular season with the lone loss coming to No. 6 Michigan. Against Saint Francis, Castellano scored a career-high six goals in a 15-5 win. Her six tallies are tied for the third most in a single-game in program history.
For the third time in Castellano's tenure at Princeton, the Tigers fell short of their ultimate goal, losing to No. 6 Michigan in the CWPA Championship Game.
Despite the tough end to the season, the accolades came rolling in for Castellano. She was named CWPA All-Conference First-Team and CWPA Championships All-Tournament First-Team. She led the team in goals (74), shots (130), shooting percentage (.569), steals (47), blocks (13) and sprint wins (18). Her 74 goals and 43 assists were the eighth best for a single-season in Princeton history.
This weekend would have been the CWPA Championships at Michigan.
One final trip to the conference tournament.
While Castellano won't get one last shot at a conference crown, that hardly takes away from her four years and what she brought to Princeton.
"Amy was the type of player you dream about as a coach," said head coach Derek Ellingson. "She was always positive, always on time, and always motivated. She never got angry, but always played on fire. Amy will be missed at DeNunzio."
"Princeton has forever left an imprint on my heart, and I will always be indebted to it for the lifelong friends and amazing opportunities it has granted me," stated Castellano. "I'll never be able to fully express my gratitude for all that Princeton has done for me. Not only has the University challenged me to grow as an individual, provided me with a priceless education, and blessed me with a second family through water polo, but it has truly given me the best four years of my life."
That's number of goals that Amy Castellano scored in each of her final four games.
It was just another typical four-game stretch for Castellano.
Then there were no more games.
As the Tigers were preparing for their West Coast trip to California for Spring Break, their season was cancelled due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
With that, Castellano's magical career was over.
167 career goals. 93 career assists.
Oh … what could have been.
Castellano's Princeton journey began in May of 2016 as the team announced the Class of 2020. The two-time high school captain set the program record at Yorba Linda in career goals and goals in a single-season.
That gave Princeton fans an idea of the type of player Castellano was.
Her first collegiate game was against Iona in February of 2017. She scored twice. Her first hat trick came a week later vs. Claremont Mudd-Scripps.
Castellano wasn't scared of ranked teams as a freshman. At the Crimson Invitational, she registered a combined nine tallies vs. No. 23 Marist, No. 21 Wagner and No. 16 UC-San Diego.
Unfortunately, when the team was in California, Castellano suffered an injury that finished her season. She finished with 23 goals in 14 games. The Tigers went on to finish 24-4 overall, losing to Michigan in the CWPA Championship game.
As a sophomore, Castellano began the campaign with four goals as the Tigers started with four losses against ranked foes at the Arizona State Challenge. Princeton eventually righted the ship, winning six straight.
After losing two games vs. No. 13 Hartwick and No. 9 Michigan, Castellano broke out with five goals in an 13-7 victory over Brown.
As conference play got into full swing, the sophomore posted a hat trick vs. No. 13 Indiana. She was later part of the takedown of No. 9 Michigan in double overtime, ending the Wolverines' 20-game winning streak and 24-game conference winning streak.
Following a loss to No. 3 USC, Princeton ended the regular season with eight straight wins. The Tigers extended that streak to 10 before losing to No. 10 Michigan in the CWPA Championship Game for the second consecutive year.
Castellano's outstanding sophomore year saw her put up 46 goals, 31 assists, a team-best 57 steals and sprint wins and 19 drawn ejections.
You think that's a good season?
Just wait.
As a junior, Castellano played in all 30 games. She scored in all, but three of them and had 21 multi-goal outings.
Incredible.
How about this stretch? From Feb. 9-22 … the junior's goal total went like this … Hat trick, four goals, four goals, hat trick. One of those games … four goals and a personal-best five helpers at Villanova … another contest saw her put up three more tallies and three helpers.
She scored half of the team's goals vs. No. 19 Wagner (five) and contributed four more tallies vs. No. 24 Cal-Baptist and at Concordia.
After coming home from California, Princeton went 4-1 to finish the regular season with the lone loss coming to No. 6 Michigan. Against Saint Francis, Castellano scored a career-high six goals in a 15-5 win. Her six tallies are tied for the third most in a single-game in program history.
For the third time in Castellano's tenure at Princeton, the Tigers fell short of their ultimate goal, losing to No. 6 Michigan in the CWPA Championship Game.
Despite the tough end to the season, the accolades came rolling in for Castellano. She was named CWPA All-Conference First-Team and CWPA Championships All-Tournament First-Team. She led the team in goals (74), shots (130), shooting percentage (.569), steals (47), blocks (13) and sprint wins (18). Her 74 goals and 43 assists were the eighth best for a single-season in Princeton history.
This weekend would have been the CWPA Championships at Michigan.
One final trip to the conference tournament.
While Castellano won't get one last shot at a conference crown, that hardly takes away from her four years and what she brought to Princeton.
"Amy was the type of player you dream about as a coach," said head coach Derek Ellingson. "She was always positive, always on time, and always motivated. She never got angry, but always played on fire. Amy will be missed at DeNunzio."
"Princeton has forever left an imprint on my heart, and I will always be indebted to it for the lifelong friends and amazing opportunities it has granted me," stated Castellano. "I'll never be able to fully express my gratitude for all that Princeton has done for me. Not only has the University challenged me to grow as an individual, provided me with a priceless education, and blessed me with a second family through water polo, but it has truly given me the best four years of my life."
Players Mentioned
ATT
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