No. 15 Harvard University Claims Northeast Water Polo Conference Championship Via 12-11 Sudden Death Victory over No. 13 Princeton University

by Daisy Lake Costello

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – No. 15-ranked Harvard University defeated No. 13 Princeton University in the Northeast Water Polo Conference Championship game in sudden victory overtime by a score of 12-11. In the victory, freshman Dennis Blyashov (Carlsbad, Calif./Cathedral Catholic) recorded four goals, including the game winning score with 2:23 remaining in the period.

The Tigers got off to a hot start in the game, scoring early and often as the team posted five goals in the first quarter. Junior Ryan Wilson (Pacific Palisades, Calif./Loyola) got the offense going for the Tigers by finding the back of the net twice within the opening three minutes to put his team up 2-0 at the 5:53 mark. Princeton would also receive contributions from senior Jordan Colina (San Diego, Calif./Cathedral Catholic), who also scored two first-quarter goals, and junior Matt Payne (Laguna Beach, Calif./Mater Dei) during the period.

Meanwhile, Harvard could not get much going in the first frame going up against NEWPC Player of the Year Vojislav Mitrovic (Sr., Novi Sad, Serbia/Jovan Jovanovic Zmaj) in the cage for Princeton. Mitrovic saved two goals and allowed two in the quarter by Blyashov, with 5:16 and 2:32 on the clock, respectively.

Princeton entered the second quarter with a three-goal lead and was looking to put the game out of reach for the Crimson.

Just 58 seconds into the second quarter, Colina net his third goal of the game to increase the Princeton lead to 6-2. Harvard responded a few minutes later, with sophomore Austin Sechrest (Mission Viejo, Calif./Capistrano Valley) taking advantage of an exclusion to score his first of a pair of goals on the game. Senior Harry Tafur (Coral Gables, Fla./Ransom Everglades) added another score to bring the Crimson within three.

Then, with under two minutes to play in the half, Princeton answered. Sean Duncan (So. Seal Beach, Calif./Mater Dei) got a shot past Harvard goalie Anthony Ridgley (Jr. Los Angeles, Calif./Harvard-Westlake) with 1:59 remaining in the half.  Colina followed with nine seconds on the clock to give the Tigers their second four-goal lead of the game, 8-4, heading into halftime.

Halftime adjustments for the Crimson paid dividends as they were able to bounce back in the third quarter in a big way, outscoring the Tigers 4-1 in the frame. During the period, the Crimson goalscorers were Sechrest, Charlie Owens (So. Wilton Conn./Wilton), Jackson Enright (Fr. San Mateo, Calif./Sacred Heart Prep) to accompany Blyashov’s third goal of the game to bring Harvard within one score of Princeton going into the fourth quarter.

Blodgett Pool was rocking with chants of “Let’s Go Harvard” and “Let’s Go Princeton” from spectators as the fourth quarter of play commenced.

The first four minutes of play were scoreless, with each team drawing two exclusions each and neither able to capitalize on the advantage and Princeton head coach Luis Nicolao being issued a yellow card just 22 seconds into the quarter following a drawn exclusion call on Duncan.

Payne nailed the lone goal of the fourth quarter for the Tigers with 3:59 remaining on the clock to give Princeton a 10-8 lead. The Crimson left no time for the Tigers to get comfortable, and answered with a goal of their own from Owens with 2:33 remaining to put the Crimson within one.

Owens buried a shot with 52 seconds remaining to complete a hat-trick and tie the game at 10 as neither team proved capable of breaking the deadlock to bring on overtime.

Harvard struck first in overtime thanks to Tafur’s second goal of the game with 2:07 remaining in the first overtime period, giving the Crimson their first lead of the game, 11-10. With under one minute remaining in the first overtime, Payne scored an advantage goal to give him his third goal of the game to even the score at 11 a piece going into the second overtime period.

Neither team was able to produce a score in the second overtime period, sending the game into sudden victory.

Late-game heroics from Blyashov proved to be the deciding factor for the Crimson. With the crowd roaring, the Crimson were able to prevent a Tigers’ score after they took the opening sprint. Then, with 2:23 on the clock, Blyashov found himself manned up with a Princeton defender and, tucking the ball in with his back to the goal, he spun around and fired the game winning shot right past Mitrovic to complete the Crimson’s comeback victory over the Tigers to win the Northeast Water Polo Conference Championship.

Blyashov would go on to receive Rookie of the Tournament and Most Valuable Player of the Tournament at the post-game award ceremony.

Harvard #15 Dennis Blyashov

Princeton #8 Jordan Colina

Blyashov reacts to the game-winning goal in sudden victory overtime.

Colina takes a shot on goal.