Friday, March 14
San Diego, Calif.
3:00 PM ET/12:00 PM PT
Princeton University
9
vs
15
#2 USC
Emese Batizi
Photo by: David Frerker
No. 11 Women’s Water Polo Splits Day With No. 2 USC, No. 20 San Diego State
March 14, 2025 | Women's Water Polo
SAN DIEGO, Calif.- The Princeton women's water polo team kicked off play at the San Diego State Invite on Friday. The Tigers fell to No. 2 USC in the first matchup of the day, but were able to flip the script for an 11-10 victory over the No. 20 San Diego State Aztecs.
Game 1: Princeton 9, USC 15
After Ava Houlahan scored the first goal, USC ripped off five straight tallies to go up 5-1 after eight minutes. The Tigers went into halftime, down 7-3.
Oliva Krotts opened up the scoring in the second half, but consecutive goals from USC pushed its lead to five, 9-4 with 5:43 to go in the third stanza. Princeton trailed 11-5 after 24 minutes and did not get closer than five the rest of the way.
Houlahan led the Tigers with three goals while Kayla Yelensky registered two tallies in the loss.
Goals: A. Houlahan 3, Yelensky 2, Wyer 2, Krotts, Batizi 1
Game 2: Princeton 11, San Diego State 10
Kayla Yelensky got the first goal of the contest for the Tigers by taking advantage of an exclusion on San Diego State. From there, the senior couldn't be stopped, as Yelensky went on to score five goals in the 11-10 win.
Olivia Krotts and Charlotte Riches found the back of the cage to give Princeton a 3-0 lead. Lindsay Lucas made four saves in the first quarter to keep the Aztecs scoreless.
San Diego State was able to break the ice in the second with two goals, but Yelensky answered right back with back-to-back scores of her own as the score stood at 5-2 at the half.
The Aztecs came out of the break ready to attack, tallying five goals to Princeton's one in the third frame.
Shanna Davidson started off the fourth with a goal to tie things up at 7-7. Both teams traded goals before the score was even at 10-10.
The Tigers had the ball as the final seconds counted down. With an extra attacker, Princeton set up its offense and Emese Batizi launched the ball past the Aztecs' keeper at the buzzer for the win.
Goals: Yelensky 5, Carver 1, Batizi 1, Davidson 1, Krotts 1, Lurie 1 Riches 1
Game 1: Princeton 9, USC 15
After Ava Houlahan scored the first goal, USC ripped off five straight tallies to go up 5-1 after eight minutes. The Tigers went into halftime, down 7-3.
Oliva Krotts opened up the scoring in the second half, but consecutive goals from USC pushed its lead to five, 9-4 with 5:43 to go in the third stanza. Princeton trailed 11-5 after 24 minutes and did not get closer than five the rest of the way.
Houlahan led the Tigers with three goals while Kayla Yelensky registered two tallies in the loss.
Goals: A. Houlahan 3, Yelensky 2, Wyer 2, Krotts, Batizi 1
Game 2: Princeton 11, San Diego State 10
Kayla Yelensky got the first goal of the contest for the Tigers by taking advantage of an exclusion on San Diego State. From there, the senior couldn't be stopped, as Yelensky went on to score five goals in the 11-10 win.
Olivia Krotts and Charlotte Riches found the back of the cage to give Princeton a 3-0 lead. Lindsay Lucas made four saves in the first quarter to keep the Aztecs scoreless.
San Diego State was able to break the ice in the second with two goals, but Yelensky answered right back with back-to-back scores of her own as the score stood at 5-2 at the half.
The Aztecs came out of the break ready to attack, tallying five goals to Princeton's one in the third frame.
Shanna Davidson started off the fourth with a goal to tie things up at 7-7. Both teams traded goals before the score was even at 10-10.
The Tigers had the ball as the final seconds counted down. With an extra attacker, Princeton set up its offense and Emese Batizi launched the ball past the Aztecs' keeper at the buzzer for the win.
Goals: Yelensky 5, Carver 1, Batizi 1, Davidson 1, Krotts 1, Lurie 1 Riches 1
Players Mentioned
UTL
/ Women's Water Polo
UTL
/ Women's Water Polo
ATT
/ Women's Water Polo
UTL
/ Women's Water Polo
2M
/ Women's Water Polo
UTL
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