After playing its last 11 games on the road in two different
time zones, the No. 16 Princeton men's water polo team employed a fourth
quarter rally to defeat Bucknell, 10-7, in its return to DeNunzio Pool Saturday
evening. The Tigers improve to 9-8, 3-1 Southern behind the conference victory.
Drew Hoffenberg would notch a pair of goals in the first
quarter, as Princeton opened the game with a 2-1 advantage.
Hoffenberg led the offense with three goals and assists
apiece, while also adding three steals and drawing three ejections.
Bucknell would challenge the Tigers for control of the game,
rallying back with a 3-2 second quarter to even the score, 4-4, entering
halftime.
In the third quarter, freshman goalie Alex Gow came up big
with four saves, as both sides would remain even, 6-6.
Gow would tally 10 saves and a steal, earning his fourth
career victory.
With the end of regulation in sight entering the fourth
quarter, a Tiger rally was necessary to propel them past the Bison.
Kurt Buchbinder would break the tie 16 seconds into the
quarter, 7-6, but Bucknell would respond 21 seconds later. A composed Princeton
side would deflect the Bison's ensuing drives, as the offense found a way to
get it done. Billy Tifft converted on a 6-on-5 to score the eventual
game-winner, and Tim Wenzlau and Jamie Kuprenas added insurance goals to wrap up
the game.
In addition to his goal, Buchbinder had two assists and won all four sprints. Sam Butler had two steals and Kuprenas finished with a
pair of goals.
The Tigers remain at home, hosting Navy and Johns Hopkins
next Saturday, Oct. 13 in conference action. Princeton faces the Midshipmen at
12 noon, before squaring off with the Blue Jays at 7:30 p.m.
No. 16 Princeton: 2
- 2 - 2 - 4 - 10
Bucknell: 1 - 4 -
2 - 1 - 7
Goals: Buchbinder
1, Donahue 1, Hoffenberg 3, Kuprenas 2, Shannon 1, Tifft 1, Wenzlau 1
Assists: Buchbinder
2, Donahue 1, Hoffenberg 3, Wenzlau 1
Steals: Butler 2,
Donahue 1, Gow 1, Hoffenberg 3, Kuprenas 1, Shannon 1, Weber 1, Wenzlau 1
Saves: Gow 10