PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — The No. 9-ranked Princeton University women’s water polo team took down the host La Salle University Explorers, 15-7, at Kirk Pool.
The Tigers never trailed in the game as Kaila Carroll put away a shot with 7:24 left in the first quarter. La Salle pulled even 18 seconds later as Francesca Co dented the twin at 7:06. The teams continued to trade strikes as Rachael Carver (6:12) and Casey Malone (5:11) netted the Tigers and Explorers’ second tallies prior to Meera Burghardt (3:54) and Grace Smith (2:45) repeating the feat for Princeton and La Salle’s third markers.
Carroll’s second goal of the quarter put Princeton back in front at 4-3 lead with 1:43 left in the opening quarter of competition.
Following an equalizer from Martina Bonet Saez with 6:30 left in the second quarter, Princeton went in front to stay with a three goal outburst to move ahead 7-4. La Salle’s Sofia Kolovou chipped the Explorers’ deficit back to a pair prior to halftime by denting the twine with 42 seconds left on the clock.
The third quarter belonged exclusively to Princeton as the Tigers torched La Salle for six goals in the eight-minute span to construct a 13-5 lead heading into the fourth quarter. The teams traded tallies in the final frame with the margin expanding and contracting from 14-5, 14-6, 14-7 and finally 15-7 prior to the final horn.
Carroll (four), Carver (three), Burghardt (two), Ava Houlahan (two) and Kayla Yelensky (two) posted multi-goal games for Princeton, while Olivia Krotts and Kate Mallery put away solo scores.
Co (two), Smith, Kolovou, Bonet Saez and Malone combined for La Salle’s offensive output.
