PRINCETON, N.J. — The No. 21-ranked Princeton University women’s water polo team opened this year’s Princeton Invitational by defeating the No. 17 Long Island University Sharks, 17-16, in overtime and the Saint Francis College Brooklyn Terriers, 18-11.
Facing Long Island, three Tigers contributed three or more goals in the game as Jovana Sekulic (six), Kayla Yelensky (four) and Alana Evans (three) combined for 13 of their team’s 17 tallies.
Battling in a back and forth affair, Princeton and LIU found themselves deadlocked at three after the first quarter. The Tigers and Sharks each scored three goals in the second frame, tying the game at six-all entering halftime.
Two goals each from Sekulic and Yelensky led to a two-goal advantage for the Tigers, heading into the fourth quarter. The lead remained at a pair with under two minutes to play, before the Sharks scored twice to force the game into overtime at 13-all.
Sekulic scored twice in the first overtime period, giving the Tigers a one goal lead. Kaila Carroll added a goal in the second overtime period, which LIU matched, and the Tigers held on to win 17-16.
Carroll chipped in a pair for Princeton, while Laura Larkin, Nicole Kresich and Genevieve Fraipont each put away solo markers in support of a four save effort from goalie Isabel Zaller.
In the late game versus the Terriers of St. Francis Brooklyn, the Tigers fell behind 1-0 but rattled off five goals in a row and never looked back. The Tigers lead 13-5 at the half and held a 16-5 margin by the conclusion of the third quarter.
Leading by 12 goals at 18-6 in the fourth quarter, Princeton coasted to an 18-11 victory.
For the Tigers, Meera Burghardt and Yelensky both netted hat-tricks with three goals. Delainey Whelan, Kresich and Rachael Carver each accounted for pairs, while Evans, Carroll, Annie Robinson, Mindy Pang, Grace Houlahan and Kate Mallery.
Zaller made seven saves to claim her second win of the day.
Information courtesy Princeton University Athletics Communications
