The 'Street' isn't the only place to look for action this weekend. DeNunzio Pool will be in a water polo frenzy as the Tigers (20-3 overall, 8-0 Collegiate Water Polo Association) host the Eastern Championships. Princeton hits the pool tonight to take its first strokes toward capturing an Easterns title.
"We feel very good going into the weekend," junior two-meter driver Katherine Kixmiller said. "We've won over UMass twice already, which is great for confidence and for intimidating UMass. But really, nothing up to this point matters if we can't make it happen this weekend."
Princeton, however, can make it happen. Now on a 13-game winning streak, the Tigers have the ability to claim another title this season. Emerging from both the Eastern College Athletic Conference tournament and the Mid-Atlantic championship with titles, the squad has dominated the East Coast.
"I am really excited," senior captain and goalie Goga Vukmirovic said. "I think we're ready to play."
The Tigers will have experience on their side as they get ready to take on opposition they have already defeated this season. UMass and Villanova are expected to be among Princeton's toughest competition.
Yet both teams have been unable to top the Tigers this season. UMass has fallen to Princeton twice, while Villanova has lost four times against the Tigers.
Before facing the Minutewomen and the Wildcats, Princeton is scheduled to play Salem-Teikyo University Friday at 7:10 p.m. and MIT Saturday morning at 10:50 a.m.
"We've been working a lot on improving communication and we'll look to Goga to set the tone for our defense," Kixmiller said. "[Freshman Adele McCarthy's] strength and domination at two-meters will be a huge aspect of our offense, as well as the outside shooting opportunities that come from the defense double teaming Adele."
Team effort
Every team member has indicated that the success of the squad has been partly due to regular contributions from the entire team. In addition to a cohesive squad, Princeton is skilled both offensively and defensively.
"The great part about the depth of our team is that we all don't have to have our best games ever to win every time," Kixmiller said. "When someone's having a rough day, or when the defense has gone after one of our players in particular, we have lots of people to step up and fill in that gap."
The right stuff
With McCarthy's strong shooting, sophomore two-meter driver Megan Bouchier's speed and sophomore driver Cassie Nichols' smart playing on both ends of the pool, the Tigers will be sure to make a splash this weekend.
Princeton's defense will be tough to break with veteran goalie Vukmirovic in the cage. The squad will look to freshmen drivers Jenny Edwards, Joanne Armstrong, and freshman two-meter Devon Watts to establish a strong defensive unit.
"Jenny has been incredibly effective at shutting down the opposing team's best and strongest player, and she has a great shot to add to the offense," Vukmirovic said. "The whole team will contribute this weekend, and we depend on everyone stepping up and playing well."
It's important that the Tigers finish well this weekend in order to receive a good seed in the collegiate national tournament, which takes place in Bloomington, Ind., May 5-7. Princeton, which finished last season at No. 14 in the nation, is currently ranked No. 9.
"We are playing to win," Vukmirovic said.
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