Shayna Price and the Crimson split a pair of matches at the Princeton Invitational Saturday (photo courtesy Gil Talbot).

PRINCETON, N.J. – In the first day of the Princeton Invitational, the Harvard women's water polo team came out with a win over Bucknell, 14-5, before falling to No. 20 Princeton, 9-6, to earn a 1-1 split.

In the 9 a.m. opener, the Crimson rode a powerful second quarter, after being tied 2-2 through one frame, to take down Bucknell (0-1). Harvard (2-2) scored four times in the second, while surrendering one score, to take a 6-3 lead into halftime.

After a tight third period, the Crimson once again dominated the Bison, 4-0, in the fourth to cruise to victory.

Devan Kennifer and Monica Zdrojewski led Harvard with four goals apiece. Kennifer added five steals, while Ariel Dukes stopped 10 shots.

The Crimson played well against No. 20 Princeton (1-0), keeping the game close throughout the contest, but ultimately fell, 9-6.

Princeton won each of the first three periods by one goal, as the Tigers scored the lone goal in the first and outscored Harvard 3-2 and 4-3 in the second and third, respectively.  

In the fourth, Princeton's defense stayed strong and only allowed one Crimson tally to shut down any attempt at a Harvard rally.

The Price sisters, Shayna and Aisha, each had two goals in the loss. Dukes stopped 10 more shots and Zdrojewski added four steals.

The Crimson continues the Princeton Invitational tomorrow against Villanova at 11 a.m. and Colorado State at 1:30 p.m. Harvard defeated Villanova, 13-1, in its second contest of the season.

Stats
Bucknell 14-5 win

Goals
Aisha Price 3
Lizzie Abbott
Jelena Cyr
Devan Kennifer 4
Elise Molnar
Monica Zdrojewski 4

Assists
Shannon Purcell 3
Devan Kennifer 3
Monica Zdrojewski 2

Steals
Aisha Price
Shannon Purcell 2
Devan Kennifer 5
Elise Molnar
Monica Zdrojewski 2
Victoria Frager2
Shayna Price

Saves
Ariel Dukes 10

Princeton 6-9 loss

Goals
Aisha Price 2
Elise Molnar
Monica Zdrojewski
Shayna Price 2

Assists
Elise Molnar
Shayna Price

Steals
Aisha Price 2
Lizzie Abbott
Shannon Purcell 
Devan Kennifer 2
Monica Zdrojewski 4
Shayna Price

Saves
Ariel Dukes 10