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Vol. LXIII, No. 8
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Wednesday, February 25, 2009
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Vol. LXIII, No. 8
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Wednesday, February 25, 2009
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(Photo by Bill Allen/NJ SportAction)
HOLLY HUNTER: Princeton University women’s lacrosse star midfielder Holly McGarvie looks for an opening in a game last spring. McGarvie, a first-team All-American selection last year, will be a key player as the Tigers aim to make their first NCAA Final Four since 2004. Sixth-ranked Princeton opens its 2009 season this Saturday when it hosts No. 18 Johns Hopkins. |
It is a class whose members made their presence felt the day they hit the field for the Princeton University women’s lacrosse team.
Boasting such stars as Holly McGarvie, Kristin Schwab, Katie Cox, and Marie McKenna, the Class of 2009 has helped the Tigers go 35-18 with one Ivy League title and two trips to the NCAA quarterfinals.
“It is probably the biggest senior group we have had,” said Princeton head coach Chris Sailer, referring to her nine-member senior group who played key roles last spring as Princeton went 13-5 and fell to eventual national champion Northwestern in the NCAA quarters. “They have a lot of talent and they are really good leaders.”
With Princeton opening its 2009 season by hosting Johns Hopkins this Saturday, that group is looking to take the first step in its goal of leading the Tigers to the NCAA Final Four.
It seemed like old times as Pete Carril held court last Saturday evening at Caldwell Lounge.
Frequently flashing his trademark impish grin, the legendary former Princeton University men’s basketball head coach enjoyed facing a media gathering hours before the main court at Jadwin Gym was officially renamed “Carril Court” in his honor.
As it played last weekend to wrap up the regular season, the Princeton University women’s hockey team had to come through on the road in order to earn home ice for the upcoming ECAC Hockey playoffs.
Needing a win or two ties on its swing to Brown and Yale to clinch a series at Baker Rink, the Tigers were determined to be road warriors.
“I think since we have picked up after the holidays, the focus has been really good,” said Princeton head coach Jeff Kampersal, whose team had gone 9-2-1 in its 12 road games prior to Friday’s contest at Brown. “This weekend they knew they had something to accomplish.”
Peter Deardorff knew something wasn’t right as soon as he hit the water in the 500-yard freestyle last Thursday at the Public B Central Jersey sectional final.
“I dove in and both my feet cramped up,” recalled Deardorff, a sophomore star for the Princeton High boys’ swimming team. “I wasn’t expecting to do anything really.”
Earlier this month, the Princeton Day School boys’ hockey team battled powerful Notre Dame to a 1-1 stalemate after two periods.
PDS, though, couldn’t hold the fort as the Fighting Irish notched two late tallies on the way to a 3-1 victory.
Last Monday, the two teams met in the Mercer County Tournament championship game and second-seeded PDS found itself in the same position as it was knotted 1-1 with No. 1 Notre Dame headed into the third period.