No. 11 Princeton Drops Two TIght Games To Top Six Teams

Saturday, September 17

Davis, Calif.

1:30 PM (10:30 AM PT)

Princeton University

#2 UCLA

Photo by: Nicole Maloney

No. 11 Princeton Drops Two TIght Games To Top Six Teams

September 17, 2022 | Men's Water Polo

The members of the Princeton men's water polo team woke up in Davis, Calif., knowing that there are easier ways to spend a Saturday than what they had in store. Princeton, ranked No. 11 this week, were to play two teams whose combined rankings was eight, as in No. 2 (UCLA) + No. 6 (UC-Davis).

By the time the day was over, Princeton had shown it clearly belonged, though it came up just short in both games.

The day started with a great showing against the second-ranked Bruins, one that fell short as UCLA erased a fourth-quarter Princeton lead by scoring the final three of the day to win 8-6.

Princeton's Yurian Quinones snapped a 5-5 tie with a goal late in the third quarter, giving the Tigers a 6-5 lead heading into the fourth. To that point, Princeton had never trailed, building a 4-1 lead in the second quarter and leading 5-3 at intermission.

UCLA, though, did not quit, tying it on a Chase Dodd goal with 6:03 to play and then taking the lead for the first time on Jake Cavano's goal with 3:03 left. Princeton had two shots at tying it but couldn't do so, and UCLA added the insurance goal from Evan Rosenfeld with 1:38 to go.

Princeton was led by Roko Pozaric, the reigning Northeast Water Polo Conference Player of the Week, who had three goals and an assist. In addition to Quinones, Princeton also got goals from Pierce Maloney and Ryan Neopole. Keller Maloney had two assists, and Isaac Rotenberg had one.

About eight hours later, Princeton took on UC-Davis, falling by one, 9-8. The game was close throughout, with neither team ever ahead by two goals. The teams traded goals throughout the fourth quarter, and the Tigers cut it to one goal three times, the last with two seconds left.

Neopole, Quinones and Joan Coloma scored twice each for Princeton, while Luke Johnston and Gavin Molloy had one each. West Temkin was sharp in goal with eight saves.