PRINCETON, N.J. — In front of a nationally television audience on ESPNU, Olympic gold medalist goalie Ashleigh Johnson shined with 10 saves as the No. 10-ranked Princeton University Tigers defeated the No. 19 Harvard University Crimson, 7-6, at DeNunzio Pool in a non-conference game.
Lindsey Kelleher posted her seventh career hat trick with three goals including the game-winner. Eliza Britt contributed two tallies and a steal in the win.
Britt got scoring started with her 10th goal of the season with 4:54 to go in the first quarter. Her goal gives Princeton four players with double figures in goals. Amy Castellano chipped in her 11th tally of the year to put the Tigers in front, 2-0, after the first frame.
After Harvard got on the board, Britt countered with a man-up goal with 3:03 left in the first half. The Crimson didn’t go away, responding with a goal at the 1:26 mark of the stanza before Princeton took a 3-2 advantage at the half.
Haley Wan got into the action with a lob into the back of the net for the first goal of the second half. Out of a timeout, Harvard rallied, scoring the next two, tying the contest at four-all with 2:08 remaining.
As the clock ticked under two minutes, Kelleher ripped a shot that hit off the post, the back of the goalie and back into the net, putting Princeton in front, 5-4.
For a second time, the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) rivals were even on the scoreboard as Harvard quickly scored 14 seconds into the fourth quarter. Kelleher came through for the Tigers as she scored twice in a 30-second span, giving the home squad a two-goal cushion, 7-5 with 3:03 remaining in the final frame. Harvard got within one with 27 seconds to go, but Princeton kept the ball away and posted its seventh win of the season.
Release courtesy Princeton University Athletics Communications
