VILLANOVA, Pa. — The No. 13-ranked Princeton University women’s water polo team collected two victories at the Villanova Invitational as the Tigers took down No. 23 California Baptist University, 14-12, and Gannon University, 22-4.
Facing the nationally-ranked Lancers, Princeton started off fast with five of the first six goals in the contest to acquire a 5-2 lead after eight minutes. The Lancers cut the deficit to two twice in the second quarter, but the Tigers responded each time and led 9-6 entering halftime.
The two squads exchanged pairs of goals in the third frame before Princeton countered with the first two goals of the fourth stanza to go up, 13-8, as the clock ticked under six minutes.
California Baptist got within two with 35 seconds remaining but could not inch closer.
Vivian Golub led the Tigers with five goals, while Shanna Davidson added four more in the victory. Ally Lurie, Charlotte Riches, Olivia Krotts, Didi Evans and Ava Houlahan each netted solo markers with Davidson (three), Houlahan (three), Vivian Golub (two), Evans and Kendall Wyer dishing out assists.
Princeton rampaged against Gannon as the Tigers ripped off four goals to push ahead 5-1 and held a 7-3 lead at the end of the first quarter. Head coach Derek Ellingson‘s squad put the game away with a shutout in the second frame, tallying eight goals to go up 15-3 entering halftime.
Princeton’s 22 goals are tied for the third most in program and are the most in a game since a 22-8 victory on February 25, 2022, at Mount St. Mary’s University.
Four Tigers scored hat-tricks led by Golub’s four tallies. Davidson, Krotts and Riches racked up three tallies.
Information courtesy Princeton University Athletics Communications
