Scott Reed

PRINCETON, N.J. -- In its most difficult games of the season to date, George Washington University was edged by Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) crossover rivals No. 19 St. Francis College (N.Y.), 17-12, and Brown University, 8-6, on the final day of the Princeton Invitational.

Sophomore Nate Little scored a hat trick in each contest and junior goalkeeper Cameron Illes totaled 19 saves, but it wasn't enough to lead the Colonials past either the Terriers or Bears. GW finished without a win in four games at the Princeton Invite despite a combined 10 goals from Little and 35 saves from Illes.

Trailing defending CWPA Eastern champion and nationally ranked St. Francis (2-4), 3-1, after the first quarter, GW allowed four fast-break goals and a pair of extra-man strikes during the second quarter to fall into a 10-4 deficit at halftime. The Colonials clawed back to within three goals, 14-11, with 5:13 remaining, but the Terriers pumped in three unanswered goals to regain control.

Little and sophomore Daniel Tyner both tallied hat tricks, followed by two goals apiece from junior John Paul Bezerra, sophomore Paul Deasey and freshman Nick Scherma. Illes made eight saves in the contest, while Tyner chipped in two assists and five ejections drawn along with his three goals.

In Sunday's late game, GW struggled from the start and surrendered the game's first five goals to trail Brown, 5-0, after a quarter. The Colonials once again battled back into contention with a trio of third-period goals to close to 6-5 entering the final stanza. However, Brown (2-4) opened the fourth-quarter scoring to make it 7-5 and kept GW from getting any closer.

Tyner, Deasey and freshman Brian Mojica netted a goal apiece to accompany Little's hat trick, and Illes stopped 11 shots.

Release courtesy George Washington Athletic Communications