Sports

(Photo by Stephen Goldsmith) CLOSE RANGE: Princeton University men’s lacrosse player Scott MacKenzie heads to goal last Saturday in Princeton’s 10-9 loss to Cornell. MacKenzie scored two fourth quarter goals as the Tigers produced a 6-1 spurt to battle back from a 9-3 deficit. The Tigers will play at Cornell this weekend in the inaugural Ivy League tournament. Second-seeded Princeton will face No. 3 Yale in one semifinal on Friday with top-seeded Cornell and No. 4 Brown squaring off in the other semi matchup. Friday’s winners will play on Sunday with the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA tournament at stake.

PU Men’s Lax Falls Just Short in Loss to Cornell; No. 8 Tigers Heading to Ithaca for Ivy Tournament

Bill Alden

With the Princeton University men’s lacrosse team trailing Cornell 9-3 heading into the fourth quarter last Saturday, Tiger senior midfielder Scott MacKenzie wasn’t about to go out with a whimper.

Needing a win at a sweltering Class of 1952 Stadium to stay home for the inaugural Ivy League tournament, MacKenzie and the Tigers turned up the heat on the Big Red with a flurry of goals.

After Spending Three Years as Benchwarmer, Gonzales-Luna Emerges a Star for PU Baseball

Bill Alden

When Noel Gonzales-Luna joined the Princeton University baseball program as a freshman in 2006, there was no guarantee that the infielder would see much playing time over the next four years.

“I was a walk-on but I always felt this was the level I could play at,” said Gonzales-Luna. “Even at the beginning when I was at the bottom of the depth chart, I felt like I belonged with these guys.”

Princeton head coach Scott Bradley, though, didn’t offer Gonzales-Luna much encouragement. “When Noel got here, I told him you’ll never play an important game for us,” recalled Bradley.

PDS’s Karandikar Wins MCT 1st Singles Crown; Accomplishing Rare Feat of Four Career Titles

Bill Alden

Neil Karandikar didn’t allow himself to celebrate much after he won the boys’ first singles title last Friday in the Mercer County Tournament.

The wiry Princeton Day School senior made a quick fist pump and his face broke into a smile for an instant after the last point in his 6-4, 6-4 win over Chris Seitz of Hun.

Despite Karandikar’s placid exterior, he was feeling some deep emotions after taking his second straight MCT first singles crown and fourth title overall at the event, having won the second singles titles as a freshman and sophomore.

Senior Star Reid Finding His Form as PHS Boys’ Track Keeps Rolling

Bill Alden

This past fall, things went perfectly for Max Reid as he played along the back line for the Princeton High boys’ soccer team.

The speedy, athletic Reid emerged as a star sweeper for a PHS squad that went undefeated on the way to the Group III state title.

This spring, Reid has hit some bumps in the road in his senior season for the Little Tiger boys’ track team.

Star Attacker Weeks Savoring Senior Campaign as Sizzling Stuart Chases MCT, Prep B Titles

Bill Alden

Kara Weeks was bitterly disappointed last spring when an ankle injury sidelined her for the last few weeks of the season.

“That was really tough, watching my team play in Prep B and not winning,” recalled Weeks.

Back at full speed this spring, senior attacker Weeks has been making things tough on Stuart’s foes.

Helping Stuart rebound from a 0-2 start, Weeks has been a key offensive weapon as the Tartans have reeled off 10 straight wins, including victories over such formidable opponents as Hopewell Valley, Lawrenceville, and WW/P-N.