Sunday, April 28
Cambridge, Mass.
12:00 PM
Princeton University
10
vs
9
#13 Michigan
2024 CWPA Champions
No. 11 Women's Water Polo Wins Second Straight CWPA Championship
April 28, 2024 | Women's Water Polo
CAMBRIDGE – The No. 11 Princeton Women's Water Polo Team rallied from a three-goal deficit to take down the No. 13 Michigan Wolverines, 10-9, to win the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Championship.
Kayla Yelensky started the scoring with a goal before No. 13 Michigan registered the final two goals of the first quarter. The Wolverines continued with two more tallies to go up 4-1, but Olivia Krotts and Ava Houlahan countered to cut the deficit to one, 4-3, at halftime.
Michigan opened up the second half with two goals, but Princeton closed the gap to one twice before settling with a 7-6 deficit as the fourth quarter got started.
Ava and Grace Houlahan scored to start the final frame as Princeton took its first lead (8-7) since Yelensky's goal in the first quarter. Yelensky's third goal of the contest make it 9-7 with 3:59 to go.
Michigan made one more push, tying the game at 9-all with 1:45 to go, but on the next possession, this tally from Ava Houlahan put Princeton ahead for good!
"We all knew it was going to be a four quarter battle and we battled until that very last buzzer," said Rachael Carver. "As a team, we felt were in control the entire time despite being down the whole game. When we faced those moments of adversity, we preserved and I think that's a reflection of how special this team is. We've trained hard for this moment and it's paid off. Winning our conference championship back-to-back is pretty special and to have the opportunity to go to California for the NCAA Tournament again feels even better."
This is the sixth conference title in program history for Princeton and the second time the team has done it in back-to-back years.
Yelensky was named the Most Valuable Player of the Tournament after scoring seven goals in two games.
The NCAA Selection Show will be on Monday (Apr. 29) at 8 p.m. The show can be seen on NCAA.com.
Kayla Yelensky started the scoring with a goal before No. 13 Michigan registered the final two goals of the first quarter. The Wolverines continued with two more tallies to go up 4-1, but Olivia Krotts and Ava Houlahan countered to cut the deficit to one, 4-3, at halftime.
Michigan opened up the second half with two goals, but Princeton closed the gap to one twice before settling with a 7-6 deficit as the fourth quarter got started.
Ava and Grace Houlahan scored to start the final frame as Princeton took its first lead (8-7) since Yelensky's goal in the first quarter. Yelensky's third goal of the contest make it 9-7 with 3:59 to go.
Michigan made one more push, tying the game at 9-all with 1:45 to go, but on the next possession, this tally from Ava Houlahan put Princeton ahead for good!
The Wolverines got excluded with 21 seconds to go and Princeton ran out the clock to win the title.Princeton 10, Michigan 9 | 1:00 4th
— Princeton Water Polo (@Pwaterpolo) April 28, 2024
WHAT A GOAL FOR AVA!
?? - https://t.co/wAf6JNTd6y pic.twitter.com/N1YmnfFssu
"I couldn't be prouder of this group," said Princeton head coach Derek Ellingson. "They showed so much fight and did not quit, showing the heart of a champion."FINAL: Princeton 10, Michigan 9
— Princeton Water Polo (@Pwaterpolo) April 28, 2024
JUMP IN!
WE'RE @CWPAWaterPolo CHAMPIONS!!! pic.twitter.com/culAfo3Hm1
"We all knew it was going to be a four quarter battle and we battled until that very last buzzer," said Rachael Carver. "As a team, we felt were in control the entire time despite being down the whole game. When we faced those moments of adversity, we preserved and I think that's a reflection of how special this team is. We've trained hard for this moment and it's paid off. Winning our conference championship back-to-back is pretty special and to have the opportunity to go to California for the NCAA Tournament again feels even better."
This is the sixth conference title in program history for Princeton and the second time the team has done it in back-to-back years.
Yelensky was named the Most Valuable Player of the Tournament after scoring seven goals in two games.
The NCAA Selection Show will be on Monday (Apr. 29) at 8 p.m. The show can be seen on NCAA.com.
Players Mentioned
ATT
/ Women's Water Polo
ATT
/ Women's Water Polo
CD
/ Women's Water Polo
UTL
/ Women's Water Polo
UTL
/ Women's Water PoloPrinceton Athletics 2023-24 Highlights
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