DAVIS, Calif. — No. 11-ranked Princeton University fell in tight games to both No. 2 the University of California-Los Angeles, 8-6, and host/No. 6 the University of California-Davis 9-8, at the Aggie Roundup.
The day started against the second-ranked Bruins as UCLA rallied back in the fourth quarter by scoring the final three goals of the contest to hold off Princeton, 8-6.
Yurian Quinones snapped a five-all tie with a goal late in the third quarter to provide the Tigers a 6-5 lead heading into the fourth quarter. To that point, Princeton had never trailed, building a 4-1 lead in the second quarter and leading 5-3 at halftime.
UCLA, though, did not quit, tying it on a Chase Dodd goal with 6:03 to play and then taking the lead for the first time on Jake Cavano’s goal with 3:03 left. Princeton had two chances at tying the contest, but could not do so before Evan Rosenfeld tacked on an insurance goal with 1:38 left on the clock.
Princeton was led by Roko Pozaric, the reigning Northeast Water Polo Conference (NWPC) Player of the Week, who had three goals and an assist. In addition to Quinones, Princeton also got goals from Pierce Maloney and Ryan Neopole. Keller Maloney had two assists with Isaac Rotenberg handing out one helper.
About eight hours later, Princeton took on UC-Davis, falling by one, 9-8. The game was close throughout, with neither team able to build a margin larger than two goals. The Tigers and Aggies traded goals throughout the fourth quarter and the Tigers cut their deficit to one goal three times – including the final time with two seconds left on the clock.
Ryan Neopole, Quinones and Joan Coloma each scored twice each for Princeton, while Luke Johnston and Gavin Molloy tacked on solo markers. West Temkin made eight saves in cage.
Release courtesy Princeton University Athletics Communications
