PRINCETON, N.J. — Fresh off a jump to No. 19 in the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Varsity Top 25 Poll, the Princeton University Tigers took down the Iona College Gaels in a thriller, 12-9, at DeNunzio Pool.
The Tigers opened up the scoring with three of the first four tallies before taking a 3-2 advantage into the second quarter. The two teams exchanged two goal rallies before the score was tied at 5-all with 2:50 left. Amy Castellano‘s third goal of the half put the home unit ahead 6-5 at the intermission.
Princeton looked to have pulled away with three straight goals, going in front, 9-5, in the third stanza before settling with a three-tally lead as the final eight minutes started.
The Gaels made one more push, closing the gap to one, 10-9, as the clock ticked near three minutes remaining. Laura Larkin‘s fifth goal of the night provided crucial insurance as Princeton held off Iona for its third straight victory. The five goals matched a personal best for Larkin.
Larkin finished with five goals, while Castellano netted a hat-trick with three markers. Maddie Pendolino, Nicole Kresich, Alana Evans and Kailie McGeoy each found the back of the cage once. In cage, Marissa Webb earned the win with five saves.
Release courtesy Princeton University Athletics Communications
