PRINCETON, N.J. — Sean Duncan and Matt Payne recorded hat tricks as the No. 11-ranked Princeton University Tigers held off a No. 11 Harvard University Crimson fourth quarter rally for an 11-9 Northeast Water Polo Conference (NWPC) decision at DeNunzio Pool.
Harvard scored four consecutive goals to tie the game at nine-all with 1:30 left. However, Payne’s tally with 53 seconds to go proved to be the game-winner.
The home team snagged the final two goals of the first quarter to take a 3-1 lead after eight minutes. Duncan had two of his three tallies in that frame. The Tigers extended their advantage with the last two tallies of the second stanza, taking a 5-2 lead into halftime.
Head coach Luis Nicolao‘s unit ran out with the first three goals of the second half, setting the score at 7-3. The Crimson’s tally with 1:58 remaining made the NWPC matchup a three-goal affair (8-5) after three quarters.
This time, it was Harvard to go on a run, ripping off four straight goals, tying the game at nine-all as the clock read 1:30. Payne came through with the clutch goal with 53 seconds to go to put Princeton back in front. Logan MacDonell added an insurance tally with 12 seconds left.
Vojislav Mitrovic made 14 saves for Princeton in the victory.
Release courtesy Princeton University Athletics Communications
