Saturday, November 26
Princeton, N.J.
12:00 PM
Princeton University
11
vs
10
#16 Fordham
Princeton Men's Water Polo after beating Fordham
Photo by: Nicole Maloney
No. 9 Men's Water Polo Advances To NCAA Quarterfinals With Thriller Over Fordham, 11-10
November 26, 2022 | Men's Water Polo
PRINCETON – Roko Pozaric's goal with three seconds to go in overtime gave the No. 9 Men's Water Polo Team a thrilling 11-10 victory over the No. 16 Fordham Rams in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.
With the victory, Princeton advances to the NCAA Quarterfinals to take on No. 1 USC on Thursday, December 1st at 8 p.m.
"I give a lot of credit to our guys for being resilient in a very tough game," said Princeton head coach Dustin Litvak. "Fordham played great, but we were able to keep our composure and find a way to advance. At this point in the season, that's what it's all about. We are excited for our opportunity to keep playing together. This was another step towards our goal."
The first quarter was played at a feverish pace with seven combined goals as George Caras' tally gave Princeton an 4-3 lead after eight minutes. The home squad ripped off three straight in the second frame and held a 7-5 advantage at the break.
Ryan Neapole opened the scoring in the second half, but consecutive goals by the Rams got them within one, 8-7, with 1:17 to go. The two Northeast units exchanged tallies, setting the score at 9-8 as the fourth stanza got underway.
The fast offensive pace slowed down as no goals were scored until Fordham's Luca Silvestri with 23 seconds remaining which sent the game into overtime.
Keller Maloney registered the only tally of the first portion of overtime before Fordham's George Papanikola countered in the second session with 2:39 left.
This is Princeton's 27th victory which is now a program record. It's also the team's 13th straight win which ties another Princeton record. The Tigers will look to reach the NCAA Semifinals for the first time ever with a decision over USC.
Goals: Mitrovic 3, K. Maloney 3, Pozaric 2, P. Maloney, Caras, Neapole
Saves: Temkin 10
With the victory, Princeton advances to the NCAA Quarterfinals to take on No. 1 USC on Thursday, December 1st at 8 p.m.
"I give a lot of credit to our guys for being resilient in a very tough game," said Princeton head coach Dustin Litvak. "Fordham played great, but we were able to keep our composure and find a way to advance. At this point in the season, that's what it's all about. We are excited for our opportunity to keep playing together. This was another step towards our goal."
The first quarter was played at a feverish pace with seven combined goals as George Caras' tally gave Princeton an 4-3 lead after eight minutes. The home squad ripped off three straight in the second frame and held a 7-5 advantage at the break.
Ryan Neapole opened the scoring in the second half, but consecutive goals by the Rams got them within one, 8-7, with 1:17 to go. The two Northeast units exchanged tallies, setting the score at 9-8 as the fourth stanza got underway.
The fast offensive pace slowed down as no goals were scored until Fordham's Luca Silvestri with 23 seconds remaining which sent the game into overtime.
Keller Maloney registered the only tally of the first portion of overtime before Fordham's George Papanikola countered in the second session with 2:39 left.
FINAL: Princeton 11, Fordham 10
— Princeton Water Polo (@Pwaterpolo) November 26, 2022
ROKO SENDS THE TIGERS TO CALIFORNIA! UNBELIEVABLE! pic.twitter.com/4GtMCmlBjy
This is Princeton's 27th victory which is now a program record. It's also the team's 13th straight win which ties another Princeton record. The Tigers will look to reach the NCAA Semifinals for the first time ever with a decision over USC.
Goals: Mitrovic 3, K. Maloney 3, Pozaric 2, P. Maloney, Caras, Neapole
Saves: Temkin 10
Players Mentioned
C
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