Sept. 20, 2009

PRINCETON, N.J. -- The 13th-ranked Navy water polo team outscored 20th-ranked Princeton, 4-0, in the fourth quarter to blow open a tight game and defeat the host Tigers, 13-7, at the 2009 ECAC Championships. The win improves Navy's record to 9-4 overall, heading into a bye week next weekend.

Navy outscored three opponents at the tournament by a combined 45-17 advantage, including a pair of ranked foes.

"It was a tight game, right until the end of the third quarter," said assistant coach Mladen Stanicic. "We led by one goal late in the quarter and got a big goal late in the stanza to go up two goals. Then in the fourth, we controlled throughout and came away. We played very good, tight defense all game long and really took advantage of our counter-attacks."

Kevin Bell led Navy with three goals, while Stevie Ray, Chris Vahey, Jordan Carter and Johnny Meiners scored twice each. Brett Rajchel stopped eight shots in goals, before Chase Hansen made one save in a reserve role.

Meiners and Rajchel were named co-MVP of the tournament.

Navy has now won four games in a row, with three of the victories coming over teams ranked in the CWPA Top 20 national poll.

The Mids will be off for two weeks, before traveling to Bucknell and Princeton on Oct. 3, for a pair of league games.

# GO NAVY #