No. 20 Princeton Tops Fordham & No. 16 Brown to Advance to 2009 ECAC Title Game

PRINCETON, N.J. -- The No. 20-nationally ranked Princeton University men's water polo team picked up a pair of wins on Saturday to advance to Sunday's ECAC Championship game against the No. 13 United States Naval Academy. Princeton defeated Fordham University 13-9 in the quarterfinals and topped No. 16 Brown University 10-8 in the semifinals.

The day didn't start out exactly as planned as Fordham raced to a 3-0 lead to begin the opening game. Princeton countered with four unanswered goals to lead after a quarter and never trailed again in the 13-9 win. Senior Douglas Wigley had four goals, two coming with a man-advantage, while senior Mark Zalewski and junior Jeff Cole both added a pair of goals.

Senior Scottie Hvidt made eight saves in the win as Princeton went 4 for 8 with a man-advantage and kept Fordham scoreless in six extra-man chances.

Princeton 4 2 4 3 - 13
Fordham 3 1 2 3 - 9

Princeton Goals: Wigley 4, Cole 2, Zalewski 2, Helou 1, Hudnall 1, Parolin 1, Vreeland 1, Wenzlau 1
Princeton Saves: Hvidt 8
Princeton 6-5: 4 for 8 (Wigley 2, Hudnall, Vreeland)
Fordham 6-5: 0 for 6

The win put Princeton into a semifinal match-up with Brown in which the Tigers avenged a last-second loss to the Bears a week ago. Princeton raced to a 4-0 lead in the game before Brown got on the scoreboard. The Tigers led 6-3 at the half and maintained the margin from then on.

Cole and Zalewski had two goals each, while six others scored in the game. Junior Mike Merlone had eight saves in the cage as Princeton went 1 for 2 with the man advantage.

Princeton 4 2 4 0 - 10
Brown 2 1 3 2 - 8

Princeton Goals: Cole 2, Zalewski 2, de L'Arbre 1, Helou 1, Horstmeyer 1, Parolin 1, Vreeland 1, Wigley 1
Princeton Saves: Merlone 8
Princeton 6-5: 1 for 2
Brown 6-5: 2 for 5

Princeton moved to 4-3 with the wins and carries a three-game win streak into Sunday's game with Navy. The game is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.

Release courtesy Princeton Athletic Communications