No. 20 Princeton Handles No. 20 Johns Hopkins 11-5 in CWPA Southern Division Action

PRINCETON, N.J -- The Princeton University men's water polo team turned a one-goal halftime deficit into a six-goal win on Friday night as it defeated Johns Hopkins University 11-5 in a battle of teams tied for 20th in the national poll at DeNunzio Pool.

Both teams played strong defensively in the early going before Princeton was able to break the game open in the final quarter. The game was even at one after a quarter and the Blue Jays held a 4-3 lead at the half. Princeton clamped down defensively from then on, allowing just one man-up goal to Johns Hopkins, while scoring eight times in the second half to take the 11-5 win.

Seniors Douglas Wigley and Mark Zalewski, who entered the game tied for the team league in goals, each scored three times in the win, while junior Jeff Cole added two goals. Zalewski's three goals came from a pair of 5-meter shots and one 6-on-5 score. Two of Wigley's goals came with man advantages.

Junior goalkeeper Mike Merlone made 10 saves in the win as the Tigers were forced to play the game without starting defenders Gregor Horstmeyer and Matt Hale, who both were sidelined by illness. Horstmeyer saw limited action in the first quarter while Hale did not play at all.

Princeton Goals: Wigley 3, Zalewski 3, Cole 2, de L'Arbre 1, Helou 1, Wenzlau 1
Princeton Saves: Merlone 10
Princeton 6 on 5: 3 for 7 (Wigley 2, Zalewski 1)
Princeton 5-Meter: 3 for 3 (Zalewski 2, Cole 1)