Maryland Stops Princeton 14-10 to Win 2009 Southern Division Championship

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The University of Maryland women's water polo team won their second CWPA Southern Division Championship in three years by beating Princeton, 14-10, at Eppley Recreation Center Natatorium on Saturday.

The Terps (14-12, 7-1 CWPA South) trailed 4-3 early in the second quarter before scoring six consecutive goals to take a five-goal halftime lead. They held off the Tigers in the second half to secure the victory.

On a night that belonged to Maryland's eight graduating seniors, the game belonged to freshman Elina Goldenberg. Goldenberg made her presence felt at the two-meter line, scoring the first two Terrapin goals and finishing with five for the game. Goldenberg's presence on the inside opened up shots for her teammates around the perimeter as the Terps drained long distance shots throughout the second period.

Rachel Jordan's goal at the end of the first period was her 200th for her career, making her the first player in Maryland women's water polo history to reach that plateau. She also scored number 201 with the game's final goal with twelve seconds remaining.

The Terrapins scored at a very efficient rate, knocking in half of their shots and converting five of their seven power plays. Allison Beck scored on one of the 6-on-5 situations and powered home the only penalty shot of the night. Shannon Simerly, Elizabeth Hopkins, Blaise Stanicic, Callan Rowe, and Carly Hoshko each floated shots over Princeton goalkeeper Kristen Ward's outstretched fingers to account for the rest of the team's goals.

On defense, Maryland made life very difficult for the Tigers' leading scorer Phoebe Champion, who was held scoreless on four attempted shots during the game. Goalkeeper Ashleigh Jobson was rarely tested in the first half and was able to focus her efforts on creating turnover opportunities for her teammates. She played the entire match and finished with five blocks.

Before the game, head coach Carl Salyer honored the team's eight seniors - Jordan, Hopkins, Stanicic, Jobson, Bryndis Klein, Christen Vagts, Laurel Laidlaw, and Jill Lau - with presentations of flowers and necklaces. The class of 2009 was Salyer's first recruiting class; with their talent under his leadership, the Terps qualified for the CWPA Eastern Championships each of the past three years. The seniors on this team make up five of the top six spots on Maryland's all-time points, goals, and assist lists and Ashleigh Jobson has the most blocks in school history.

Maryland won their second division title at home, as they played host during their last championship at Eppley Recreation Center Natatorium in 2007. They finish the year undefeated, 5-0, in College Park, although they could play another game at home if they are able to qualify for the NCAA Division I Championship, which will take place May 8-10.

The Terps will play at the CWPA Eastern Championship at Harvard on Friday.

Maryland 14, Princeton 10
Maryland  (3-6-3-2--14)
Princeton  (3-1-4-2--10)

Maryland Goals: Goldenberg, 5 (50); Jordan, 2 (44); Beck, 2 (11); Simerly (25); Hopkins (37); Stanicic (23); Rowe (8); Hoshko (16)
Maryland Blocks: Jobson, 5
Maryland Goals Allowed: Jobson, 10
Maryland Ejections: Hopkins, 3; Simerly, 2; Vagts; Beck; Hoshko
Maryland 6-on-5: 5-7
Maryland 5-meter: 1-1
Maryland Shots: 28

Princeton Goals: Brunner, 2 (30); Ardila, 2 (18); Zak, 2 (11); Hutchison (11); Meigs (34); Jiminez (2); Jacobson (19)
Princeton Blocks: Ward, 6; Michel, 2
Princeton Goals Allowed: Ward, 13; Michel, 1
Princeton Ejections: Brunner, 2; Champion, 2; Hutchison; Schelegle; Zak; Jacobson
Princeton 6-on-5: 3-8
Princeton Shots: 23

George Washington 12, Bucknell 11 (OT)
George Washington  (1-2-3-3-1-2--12)
Bucknell  (3-2-1-3-1-1--11)

GW Goals: Peotter, 3 (49); Walker, 2 (27); Maggiolo (11); Moren (24); Fitch (15); Stamler (42); Delker (5); Karandy (8); Sullivan (16)
GW Blocks: Schou, 15
GW Goals Allowed: Schou, 11
GW Ejections: Maggiolo (2); Fitch (2); Peotter; Chereson; Stamler; Karandy; Sullivan
GW 6-on-5: 4-11
GW 5-meter: 1-2
GW Shots: 26

Bucknell Goals: Rozas, 3 (69); Palencia, 2 (45); Prickett, 2 (21); Skonezney (25); Canonica (56); Kennan (13); Rowe (65)
Bucknell Blocks: Carter, 5
Bucknell Goals Allowed: Carter, 12
Bucknell Ejections: Prickett, 3; Rowe, 3; Palencia, 2; McNally, 2; Rozas; Kennan; Vreeland
Bucknell 6-on-5: 1-9
Bucknell Shots: 36

Release courtesy Maryland Athletic Communications