Wolverines Edge Princeton for First Division Crown

Sunday, April 21

Villanova, Pa.

12:15 PM

Michigan

Princeton

4/21/2002 12:00:00 AM | Water Polo

VILLANOVA, Pa. -- The No. 15-ranked Michigan water polo team came away with its first Southern Division Championship title by upending top-seeded and No. 14-ranked Princeton 10-9 on Sunday (April 21) at Villanova's Swimming Center. The Wolverines (21-11, 21-1 CWPA) will now wait for their seeding for the upcoming Eastern Championships, which will be held April 26-28 in Princeton, N.J

Armstrong

No. 2-seeded Michigan jumped out to a commanding lead early as it outscored the Tigers 5-1 in the first quarter. Sheetal Narsai (Commerce, Calif./Bell Gardens HS) opened the scoring at the 6:04 mark and, for the second straight day, Erin Brown (San Diego, Calif./Bishop's HS) scored on a penalty shot, to give the Maize and Blue a two-goal lead. Jo Antonsen (Agoura Hills, Calif./Agoura HS) ended the period in dramatic fashion by tallying the Wolverines' only six-on-five goal of the day with just one second left.

Princeton awoke in the second quarter as it stormed back with four of the game's next five goals. Cassandra Nichols had three of the Tiger goals during that span. The Maize and Blue stood its ground by reasserting its lead thanks to two goals in 25 seconds by Rachel Burkons (Van Nuys, Calif./Harvard Westlake HS) and Casey Kerney (Severna Park, Md./Severna Park HS). Once again, Princeton fought back with two goals before halftime to cut U-M's lead to one, 8-7.

Michigan forged ahead in the third quarter with two goals to stretch its lead to 10-7. Emily Pelino's (Ann Arbor, Mich./Huron HS) marker at 4:15 would prove to stand up and be the game-winner. Princeton's Nichols scored two more goals to cut the U-M lead to one and bring her total on the day to seven, but the Tigers were never able to score the equalizer. Neither team scored in the fourth quarter as Betsey Armstrong Ann Arbor, Mich./Huron HS) turned away Princeton's best opportunity during a six-on-five to preserve the win. Armstrong made eight saves in the game.

Michigan is one of six Southern Division teams (Michigan, Princeton, Indiana, George Washington, Villanova and Bucknell) heading to the Eastern Championships on April 26-28 in Princeton, N.J. Six yet to be determined teams from the Northern Division will round out the 12-team tournament. U-M's next opponent will be determined early this week when seeds are handed out for the weekend.

GAME SUMMARY