Princeton University Athletics
Princeton University
#12/15 UCSD
No. 7 Men’s Water Polo Splits Day Two Of MPSF Invitational
September 21, 2024 | Men's Water Polo
BERKELEY, CALIF.- Princeton faced off against No. 6 Cal Golden Bears and No. 15 UC San Diego Tritons on the second day of the MPSF Invitational. Three Tigers scored four goals in a single game as Princeton went on to split the two games.
Princeton 10, Cal 15
Princeton struck first less than a minute into the game with a goal from Luke Johnston followed by a goal from Roko Pozaric to take a 2-0 lead. Cal fought back and tallied three of their own to take the first quarter.
The Golden Bears added another to start the second quarter, but Gavin Appeldorn scored to keep it a one goal game. Cal went on a run and recorded another three.
Pozaric notched back to back goals to cut into the lead before halftime.
Princeton added five second half goals, but was unable to overcome the deficit as Cal went on to get the win.
The Tigers were paced by Pozaric's four goals in the matchup.
Goals: Pozaric (4), Appeldorn, George Caras, Johnston, Finn LeSieur, Logan McCarroll, Enrique Nuño
Saves: Kristóf Kovács (10)
Princeton 17, UC San Diego 10
In the second meeting between the two teams this season, the Tigers immediately attacked and never looked back. Princeton went on a 5-0 run to open the matchup, including two first quarter goals from Appeldorn.
Kovács held the Tritons scoreless through the first eight minutes of play.
The Tigers owned a 8-3 advantage at the halfway mark. The eight first half goals were recorded by six different scorers.
Princeton closed out the second half without ever taking their foot off the gas. Appeldorn and Vladan Mitrovic each scored four times in the victory.
Goals: Appeldorn (4), Mitrovic (4) Johnston (2), Nuño (2), Ádám Peocz (2), Nathan Banos, JP Ohl, Pozaric
Saves: Kovács (8)
Up Next
Princeton will face No. 10 Long Beach State in the fifth place game. The matchup will take place at Spieker Aquatics Complex at 2:30 p.m. ET (11:30 a.m. PT).
