Princeton University
#7/9 Pepperdine
Roko Pozaric Sets New All-Time Program Goals Record In Win Over Pepperdine
October 15, 2024 | Men's Water Polo
MALIBU, Calif.- The next stop on the travel itinerary took the Princeton men's water polo team to Malibu, California to face the No. 7/9 Pepperdine Waves. In the big Top 10 victory, Roko Pozaric netted his 255th career goal to become the program's all-time leading goal scorer.
Princeton 12, Pepperdine 11
The Tigers and Waves went back and forth to start off the matchup. The first goal of the game came with 4:42 left in the first quarter as Vladan Mitrovic broke open the scoring. Pepperdine got one back before Finn LeSieur and Mason Killion each found the back of the cage.
The Waves cut the lead to one in the closing seconds of the first frame but that would not deter the Tiger offense.
To start the second quarter, Pozaric got his first goal of the day on a penalty shot, foreshadowing his record breaking goal.
Princeton took advantage of a Pepperdine turnover in the offensive zone. Tas Palcza was able to feed the ball to Pozaric for his second score to tie former Tiger John Storver's 19 year old program record.
The Tigers held a 9-6 lead at the half. Gavin Appeldorn tacked on a goal to start the third before Princeton drew an exclusion for a penalty.
Pozaric again lined up at the five meter line before the whistle signaled for him to shoot. He skipped the ball past the Pepperdine keeper to not just earn a hat trick, but move his name up to the top of the program's all time career goal list.
??ROKO FOR THE RECORD??
— Princeton Water Polo (@Pwaterpolo) October 15, 2024
The Tigers have a new all-time leading goal scorer! pic.twitter.com/aMVLFdTlKI
LeSieur notched his second goal of the day just before the end of the third to give the Tigers the final push they needed to hold off the Waves.
Goals: Pozaric (3), Appeldorn (2), LeSieur (2), Mitrovic (2), Nathan Banos, Killion, Enrique Nuño
Saves: Kristóf Kovács (3)
Up Next
The Tigers will head back to Los Angeles to take on the No. 3 USC Trojans on Wednesday. The game is set for 8:00 PM ET/5:00 PM PT.
