Daniel Kelly

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- David Skophammer (So., Los Angeles, Calif.) tallied a hat-trick to lead No. 18 Yale University to a 6-5 victory over No. 17 Pennsylvania State University in the ninth place game at the 2009 National Collegiate Club Championship at the University of Florida.

Yale trailed only once in the game as Andrew Bauman (Jr., Erie, Pa.) found the back of the cage 27 seconds into the first period.  The Bulldogs erased the deficit 41 seconds later when Paul Orland (So., St. Louis, Mo.) broke through for a man-up goal at 5:52 to start a 3-0 score by Yale as Skophammer netted a natural goal at 3:38 and a man-up score with 3:08 left on the period clock for a 3-1 lead.

PSU cut into the lead with 6:35 left in the second period as Mitch Palski (Sr., Harleysville, Pa.) beat Yale goalie Daniel Kelly (Fr., Greenwich, Conn.) with a blast to move to within 3-2, but the Bulldogs closed the first half with back-to-back net-shakers by Skophammer and Orland at 3:52 and three seconds, respectively, to give the 'Dogs a 5-2 lead at the break.

Undaunted, Penn State whittled away at the deficit in the third period with a man-up goal by Kelsey Britton (Sr., North Wales, Pa.) and a five-meter penalty shot by Bauman at the 5:49 and nine seconds marks as the Nittany Lions clawed their way to within 5-4.

The fourth period was a story of missed opportunities and patience as Andrew Nelson (Fr., Baltimore, Md.) staked the Bulldogs to a two goal lead at 6-4 with 2:41 to play for what would eventually prove to be the game-winning score.  The goal came off a redirection as Nelson unleashed a shot which deflected off a defender's hand and into the cage.

Needing to run out the clock to preserve the win and prevent a PSU comeback bid, Yale saw its lead dwindle to a single score once again as Nelson committed a foul to give Penn State a five meter penalty shot.

Bauman converted on the free lob at the cage by placing a shot under the outstretched left arm of Kelly to make it a one goal game with 2:07 on the clock.

However, the Yale defense stiffened and Kelly made the necessary saves down the stretch when challenged by Penn State shooters to aid the Bulldogs in holding on for the 6-5 victory.

Overall, Kelly finished with seven saves on the day to earn the win and help Yale record a ninth place finish on collegiate club water polo's biggest stage.

For Penn State, Bauman led the way with three goals, while Britton added a pair and Palski chipped in a solo marker as the Nittany Lions conclude the year with a 10th place mark at Nationals.  The placement marks PSU's second best mark at the National Collegiate Club Championship as the team placed 12th (2005) and second (1998) in previous postseason berths.

Yale Goals: David Skophammer (3); Paul Orland (2); Andrew Nelson

PSU Goals: Andrew Bauman (3); Mitch Palski; Kelsey Britton

Saves: Yale - Daniel Kelly (7) ; PSU - Lane Jubb (7)

Exclusions: Yale - 8 ; PSU - 7

Advantage Opportunities: Yale - 2-for-7 ; PSU - 2-for-8

Sprints: Yale - 2-for-4 ; PSU - 2-for-4