IRVINE, Calif. - No. 16 UC Irvine men's water polo drops a hard-fought battle to No. 15 Princeton, 9-8, on Wednesday night at Anteater Aquatics Complex.

Princeton opened the game with a 5-1 run in the first half, shutting out the 'Eaters in the first quarter and maintaining control for the remainder of the match. UCI fought back, outscoring the Tigers 4-3 in the third frame to pull within three, 8-5. The Anteaters clamped down defensively in the fourth quarter, holding Princeton to a single goal while scoring three of their own to pull within one. However, their efforts were not enough to surmount the deficit as they dropped to the Tigers, 9-8. 

BY THE NUMBERS: Sophomore Cole Francisco led the 'Eaters with two goals and four assists for a six point night. Senior Luka Krstic added two goals. 

Jack Stevens added a goal and three assists for a four point showing. Jasper Dale, Gage Verdegaal, and Johann Thrall each recorded a tally. 

Ádám Peocz led the Tigers with one goal and two assists. 

HOW IT HAPPENED: The Tigers held the 'Eaters scoreless in the first quarter while registering three goals of their own. Princeton's first tally came at 6:48 before they added their second at 4:03, and a third at 2:22, to take a 3-0 lead at the end of one. 

Luka Krstic got the Anteaters on the board at 3:58 when he capitalized on the power play. Princeton took advantage of back-to-back penalty shots at the 1:55 and 1:20 mark to increase the lead, 5-1, at the half. 

The Tigers struck first before Cole Francisco found the back of the net at the 7:09 mark and Johann Thrall capitalized on the man advantage at the 6:13 mark to cut the deficit, 6-3. Princeton took advantage of a power play of their own at the 5:29 mark to widen the gap, 7-3. Jack Stevens netted one with the man advantage at the 1:39 mark before the Tigers answered with a tally to maintain their lead, 8-4, at the 1:12 mark. Jasper Dale found the back of the net for the final tally of the quarter to cut the deficit, 8-5, heading into the final frame. 

Gage Verdegaal netted the first of the quarter at the 7:17 mark before Francisco put the 'Eaters within one, 7-8, at the 4:11 mark. Princeton capitalized on the power play to widen their lead once again, 9-7, at the 3:34 mark. Krstic found the back of the net on the man advantage to put the Anteaters within one at the 1:27 mark. UCI's 3-1 run in the final frame wasn't enough as they dropped to the Tigers, 9-8.