Princeton University Athletics
Princeton University
#1 UCLA
No. 7 Men’s Water Polo Falls To No.1 UCLA In Overtime
September 20, 2024 | Men's Water Polo
BERKELEY, CALIF.- In a close battle on Day 1 of the MPSF Invitational, No. 7 Princeton forced overtime against the No. 1 UCLA Bruins. The Tigers were unable to get the win, but the final score of 17-16 stands as one of the closest between the two teams to date.
Princeton 16, UCLA 17
The Tigers got on the board first with a quick goal from Gavin Appeldorn. Appeldorn went on to score three of Princeton's first four goals of the game for an early hat trick.
Princeton ramped up the pressure in the second quarter with five goals from four different scorers.The score stood tied at 8-8 after the first half.
Goals from Tas Palcza and Appeldorn created a two goal lead to start the third quarter, but UCLA was able to get one back. Luke Johnston capitalized on a drawn ejection to put Princeton up 11-9. The Bruins scored with just over a minute left in the third to set the stage for an intense fourth quarter.
UCLA scored two goals to start the quarter and take a 12-11 lead. Roko Pozaric got the defensive steal and sent the ball to the back of the cage to tie up the game with 5:28 to play.
The Bruins added two more to their tally to take back the lead.George Caras and Pozaric would match those before UCLA scored with 13 seconds remaining in regulation.
Using an extra player in the offensive attack, Princeton looked for the right shot and got it with a buzzer beater from Vladan Mitrovic to send the game into overtime.
In the first overtime period, UCLA took the lead. Ádám Peocz would tie the game up yet again before going into the second extra frame.
The Bruins would go on to get the win as Princeton's final shot to extend the game missed off the crossbar.
Goals: Gavin Appeldorn (4), Pozaric (4), Mitrovic (2), Palcza (2), Peocz (2), Caras, Johnston
Saves: Kristóf Kovács (9)
Up Next
Princeton will face No. 6 Cal at 1:00 p.m. (10:00 a.m. PT) at Spieker Aquatics Complex. The Tigers will then head to Legends Aquatic Center for a rematch against No. 15 UCSD.
