PRINCETON, N.J. — The No. 21-ranked Princeton University Tigers earned a split during day one of the Princeton Invitational, dropping an 11-9 decision to the No. 17 Wagner College Seahawks before earning a 7-5 victory over the No. 22 San Diego State University Aztecs at DeNunzio Pool.
Wagner recorded the final two goals of the first quarter to take a 4-2 advantage after eight minutes. The Seahawks tacked on three more tallies to jump ahead, 7-2, with 4:13 left in the first half. Head coach Derek Ellingson‘s squad closed within three before trailing 8-4 at the break.
In the third stanza, Princeton rolled off four of the five tallies, closing the gap to one, 9-8. In the final frame, Wagner regained a two-goal advantage before Laura Larkin‘s tally with 2:31 left in the game. Princeton couldn’t find the equalizer before an insurance goal from Wagner sealed the win.
Amy Castellano led the way for Princeton with six goals, while Larkin and Margarita Orlova both tacked on single markers. In cage, Marissa Webb made 15 saves.
The nightcap against San Diego State started as a defensive affair as Maddie Pendolino‘s goal at the 3:09 mark of the first quarter was the only tally of the first half.
Scoring opened up in the second half as a combined five goals were scored in the third frame, four coming from the Tigers as they stretched their lead to 5-1 as the fourth stanza began. Ellingson’s squad ripped off the first two tallies of the fourth quarter, while San Diego State was kept at bay before two goals in the final 47 seconds of action settled the scoring.
Pendolino led the way for the Tigers with a pair of goals. Nicole Kresich, Kailie McGeoy, Genevieve Fraipont, Annie Robinson and Cici Stewart each chipped in solo tallies in support of an 11-save performance by Webb.
Information courtesy Princeton University Athletics Communications
