PRINCETON, N.J. — The host/No. 12-ranked Princeton University Tigers took a 15-8 tussle versus No. 20 Saint Mary’s University of California on the first day of the 2026 Princeton Invitational.
Princeton wasted little time getting on the board, as Gavin Appeldorn found the back of the net just 55 seconds into the opening quarter. Otto Stothart added another goal shortly after to give the Tigers an early advantage. Saint Mary’s responded with a pair of goals, but Princeton continued to build its lead throughout the first frame.
The Tigers closed out the first quarter with a 6-3 advantage before adding three more goals in the second quarter to take a 9-5 lead into halftime.
Princeton continued to control the pace in the third quarter by outscoring Saint Mary’s by a 3-1 count to extend its advantage to 12-6 heading into the final eight minutes of competition. The Tigers added three more goals in the fourth quarter while limiting Saint Mary’s to two markers in securing a seven-score victory.
The Tigers’ offense fired on all cylinders led by freshman Oliver Marcin’s four goals and junior Ádám Peocz‘s six assists.
Appeldorn and Luke Weichert tallied pairs of strikes with Stothart, Tibi Cojocariu, Taylor Bell, Fnn LeSieur, Peocz, Tas Palcza and Enrique Nuño netting solo markers to support a nine save effort by netminder Kristóf Kovács.
