PRINCETON, N.J. — The No. 12-ranked Princeton University Tigers opened up Northeast Water Polo Conference (NWPC) action with a pair of home. Following a 14-7 win over Division III No. 7 Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the morning, Princeton came back with an impressive second half during the night for a 16-11 win over Brown University.
Versus MIT, Princeton racked up four of the first five goals as the clocked ticked under three minutes remaining in the first quarter. The Engineers fought back, going on their own 4-1 spurt to take a 5-4 advantage with five minutes to go in the first half. The first half runs continued as the Tigers registered the last two goals, taking a 6-5 lead into the intermission.
Head coach Dustin Livtak‘s squad was outstanding in the third frame, picking up four field blocks, a steal while not allowing a goal. The Tigers registered two goals in the quarter, leading by three, 8-5, after 24 minutes. Billy Motherway nabbed five stops in the fourth stanza while Princeton was never threatened, scoring four consecutive goals before taking the NWPC matchup, 14-7.
Princeton faced a real test during a home showdown with Brown, as the Tigers faced a 9-8 deficit late in the second quarter. A goal by Ryan Wilson evened the score just before halftime, and following a goal by each team early in the third, Princeton rattled off six of the final seven markers.
Matt Payne had two of the three goals to open a 13-10 lead by the end of the third, including one that gave Princeton its first lead since a 5-4 edge late in the first. Wyatt Benson added one in the fourth quarter to keep momentum on Princeton’s side on the way to victory.
Release courtesy Princeton University Athletics Communications
