PRINCETON, NJ. — Dean Strauser had a career day as No. 14-ranked Harvard University pulled out a 17-16 Northeast Water Polo Conference win at No. 9 Princeton University in sudden victory overtime. The first-year tallied his seventh goal of the day for the deciding factor with 2:06 left in a sudden death overtime period. Completing a perfect weekend in conference play, the Crimson has upset the Tigers in overtime twice in the last two years.
Princeton started off with a 3-0 run to start the first before Harvard got back two. The Tigers’ JP Ohl scored right at the horn to bump the lead to two as the score sat at 4-2 after the first eight minutes of play.
The Tigers and Crimson went back and forth in the second as Harvard was back within one going into half.
Another competitive quarter to start the second half had the game tied at nine apiece.
Princeton rallied to a 14-13 lead but Harvard tied things up at the conclusion of regulation.
Princeton took the lead in overtime before the game was square once again heading into sudden death following an equalizer by Strauser with three seconds remaining on the clock. Unable to convert on their possession, the Tigers were forced to work to make a stop but the efforts fell just short as Harvard took the win in sudden death.
James Rozolis-Hill added five goals fr the Crimson as he and Strauser combined for 12 of Harvard’s 17 goals, while Jack Burghardt added a goal and two assists. Lukas Peabody also chipped in a goal.
Tanner Furtak made eight stops in the cage.
For Princeton, George Caras (three), Roko Pozaric (three), Gavin Appeldorn (two), Luke Johnston (two), Nathan Banos, Finn LeSieur, Vladan Mitrovic, Gavin Molloy and Tas Palcza found the back of the cage to support a seven save effort by goalkeeper Kristóf Kovács.
Information courtesy Harvard University & Princeton University Athletics Communications
