April 23, 2025
WHITE LIGHT: Princeton University women’s lacrosse player Sophie Whiteway, right, goes after the ball in recent action. Last Saturday, senior midfielder Whiteway came up big on her Senior Day, tallying two goals along with four draw controls and two ground balls as No. 5 Princeton topped No. 18 Brown 15-13 to clinch a share of the Ivy League regular season crown. The Tigers, now 12-2 overall and 5-1 Ivy League, play at Dartmouth on April 26 as they look to earn the outright league title and the No. 1 seed going into the Ivy postseason tournament. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
By Bill Alden
In her freshman season for the Princeton University women’s lacrosse team in 2022, Sophie Whiteway contributed three draw controls on the program’s Senior Day to help the Tigers defeat Yale and clinch the Ivy League regular season title.
Last Saturday, Whiteway came up big on her Senior Day, tallying two goals along with four draw controls and two ground balls as No. 5 Princeton topped No. 18 Brown 15-13 at Class of 1952 Stadium to clinch a share of the Ivy regular season crown as it moved to 12-2 overall and 5-1 Ivy. more
FLYING HIGH: Princeton University men’s volleyball player Nyherowo Omene (#25), right, leaps to make a hit in a game this season. Last Friday, Omene led Princeton with 19 kills as it topped Penn State 3-1 (25-22, 25-27, 25-18, 25-23) to clinch the Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (EIVA) regular season title. The Tigers, who fell 3-0 to Jenn Stare last Saturday to give to 14-10 overall and 10-2 EIVA, are next in action when they host an EIVA semifinal contest on April 24 at Dillon Gym with the victor advancing to the final on April 26. (Photo by Andee Fagan – On NJ, provided courtesy of Princeton Athletics)
By Justin Feil
Nyherowo Omene is hoping to end his Princeton University men’s volleyball career the way it began — with an Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (EIVA) Tournament championship.
The Tigers last won the tourney in 2022 when Omene burst onto the scene in a promising freshman year. But Princeton hasn’t been able to win it since then. more
DODGE BALL: Princeton High boys’ lacrosse player Brendan Beatty looks to dodge a defender in a game earlier this season. Last week, senior midfielder and University of Vermont commit Beatty tallied four goals and two assists in a losing cause as PHS fell 13-8 to Notre Dame. The Tigers, who defeated Montgomery 13-5 last Saturday in improving to 5-4, host Hightstown on April 24, play at WW/P-North on April 26, and then host Hopewell Valley in April 29. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
By Bill Alden
Brendan Beatty fired in a pair of goals as the Princeton High boys’ lacrosse team jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first five minutes of its clash at Notre Dame last week.
PHS senior midfielder Beatty and his teammates were hoping that history would repeat itself as the Tigers built an early 3-0 lead in its 2024 meeting with the Irish on the way to a 21-11 win. more
COMING IN CONTACT: Princeton High softball player Natalie Hester makes contact in a game last season. Junior star shortstop and Rutgers commit Hester is batting .312 with six RBIs to provide a spark for PHS. The Tigers, who lost 14-2 to Monroe last Monday to move to 1-5, host Robbinsville on April 24 and Holy Cross Prep on April 26 before playing at Hightstown on April 28. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
By Bill Alden
Even though the Princeton High softball team trailed Monroe 14-2 in the bottom of the fifth inning last Monday and faced getting run-ruled, Natalie Hester wasn’t about to give up.
PHS junior shortstop Hester legged out an infield grounder to get on base and proceeded to steal second and third. more
MURPHY’S LAW: Hun School softball pitcher Anna Murphy fires a pitch in recent action. Last Thursday, senior Murphy produced a stellar effort in the circle as Hun defeated the Blair Academy 6-1, striking out eight and giving up five hits with no walks. Hun went on to sweep Mercersburg Academy (Pa.) in a doubleheader last Saturday, prevailing 7-2 and 10-6. The Raiders, who improved to 8-0 with the wins, host Lawrence High on April 26 and the Peddie School on April 29. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
By Bill Alden
Anna Murphy patiently waited for her chance to be the ace of the pitching staff for the Hun School softball team and she is determined to make the most of that opportunity.
“I have definitely been looking forward to it since freshman year with Lexi here and everything, it is big shoes to fill,” said senior right-hander Murphy, referring to former Hun record-breaking standout Lexi Kobryn, who is now pitching for the Villanova University softball team. more
STOWE AWAY: Hun School girls’ lacrosse player Emma Stowe looks to unload the ball in recent action. Last Wednesday, junior midfielder Stowe scored two goals in a losing cause as Hun fell 18-4 to the Hill School (Pa.). The Raiders, who lost 13-12 to the Mercersburg Academy (Pa.) last Saturday to move to 0-9, play at the Shipley School (Pa.) on April 24 before hosting the Blair Academy on April 26. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
By Bill Alden
In taking the helm of the Hun School girls’ lacrosse team this spring, Samantha Schwartz’s coaching approach has centered on one main theme.
“The thing that I have been driving home with our girls is that everything is effort-based,” said Schwartz, who joined the Hun program midway through last spring as an assistant coach and previously had stints coaching club in New York, Michigan, Texas and Pennsylvania, and high school coaching in Michigan and Texas. more
April 16, 2025
NET GAIN: Kaitlyn Chen is all smiles as she cuts down a piece of the net after helping the University of Connecticut women’s basketball team defeat South Carolina 82-59 in the NCAA championship game on April 6 at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla. Former Princeton University women’s hoops star Chen, who played for UConn as a grad transfer, scored two points and had four assists in 17 minutes of action in the title game. Point guard Chen averaged 7.1 points and 3.2 assists per game this winter as the Huskies went 37-3 on their way to the program’s 12th national championship. (Photo provided courtesy of UConn Athletics)
By Justin Feil
Kaitlyn Chen celebrated winning the NCAA Division I women’s national championship with two basketball families.
First, there was the University of Connecticut team that she helped capture a 12th national title in program history with an 82-59 dismantling of South Carolina in the NCAA championship game on April 6 at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla. more
Princeton Men’s Lacrosse hosts Brown on April 12, 2025.
MUELLER TIME: Princeton University men’s lacrosse player Cooper Mueller helping to key the defense last Saturday as Princeton hosted Brown. Sophomore midfielder Mueller contributed one goal, four ground balls, and one caused turnover as the Tigers defeated Brown 17-6. Princeton, now 9-2 overall and 3-1 Ivy League, clinched a spot in the upcoming Ivy postseason tournament in the process. The Tigers play at Penn (4-8 overall, 1-4 Ivy) on April 19. (Photo by Shelley Szwast, provided courtesy of Princeton Athletics)
By Bill Alden
Cooper Mueller continued a special family athletic tradition when he decided to join the Princeton University men’s lacrosse program.
His father, Kit Mueller, produced a legendary career for the Princeton men’s basketball program, scoring 1,546 points and getting named as the Ivy League Player of the Year in both 1990 and 1991. more
ON THE BALL: Princeton University women’s lacrosse player Meg Morrisroe, right, goes after the ball in recent action. Last Saturday, sophomore attacker Morrisroe scored a goal to help Princeton defeat Columbia 17-6 and earn its 11th straight win. The No. 5 Tigers, now 11-1 overall and 4-0 Ivy League, play at No. 18 Penn (6-5 overall, 2-2 Ivy) on April 16 and then host No. 17 Brown (10-3 overall, 4-1 Ivy) on April 19 as the program holds its annual Senior Day celebration. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
By Bill Alden
Coming into its game against visiting Columbia last Saturday, the No. 5 Princeton University women’s lacrosse team was clicking on all cylinders.
The sizzling Tigers brought a 10-game winning streak into the contest, having started the week by topping No. 19 Stony Brook 19-13 last Wednesday. more
FIRST TAKE: Princeton High boys’ tennis player Garrett Mathewson hits a groundstroke in a match last season. Junior Mathewson has starred at first singles as PHS has gotten off to a 1-1 start this spring. In upcoming action, the Tigers host Hightstown on April 17 before competing in the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) tournament on April 21 and 23 at the Mercer County Tennis Center. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
By Bill Alden
Although the Princeton High boys’ tennis team suffered a 4-1 loss to powerhouse WW/P-South its second match this season, Sarah Hibbert saw reason for optimism.
PHS junior star Garrett Mathewson posted a straight-set win at first singles in the April 8 match while junior Andrew Kuo forced a match tiebreaker at second singles and the second doubles pair of senior Matt Chen and sophomore Emil Kapur lost in two hard-fought sets. more
By Bill Alden
Youth is being served this spring for the Princeton Day School boys’ tennis team.
PDS is featuring a freshman and a sophomore in its singles lineup with a pair of freshmen having seen action at doubles.
While the squad may lack experience, Panther head coach Michael Augsberger believes it has plenty of quality. more
BRINGING THE HEAT: Hun School pitcher Asher DeLue fires a pitch in a 2024 game. Last Thursday, junior DeLue produced a superb effort in a 4-1 victory over Lawrenceville, going five innings with eight strikeouts to get the win on the mound. The Raiders, who fell 8-2 to Christian Brothers Academy last Monday in moving to 6-2, play at Pennington on April 17 and have a doubleheader at the Mercersburg Academy (Pa.) on April 19. (Photo by Steven Wojtowicz)
By Bill Alden
After pitching just 12 innings for the Hun School baseball team last year, Asher DeLue focused on pumping iron over the offseason in an effort to make a greater impact on the mound this spring.
“It was definitely putting in a lot of work in the weight room,” said junior DeLue. “Team lifts with the guys were great, we do that all winter. Playing club was great but the biggest thing was getting into the weight room and getting stronger.” more
ABBY ROAD: Stuart Country Day School lacrosse player Abby Chirik, center, sprints upfield last Wednesday as Stuart hosted Robbinsville. Junior midfielder Chirik scored a goal in a losing cause as the Tartans fell 16-3 to the Ravens. Stuart, now 0-3, hosts Princeton Day School on April 17 and Pope John on April 22. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
By Bill Alden
There is no down time for Abby Chirik when it comes to her athletic pursuits.
Chirik is a three-sport star at Stuart Country Day School, competing for its field hockey, basketball, and lacrosse teams. In her spare time, she plays club soccer year-round. more
April 9, 2025
SIX SHOOTER: Princeton University women’s lacrosse player McKenzie Blake heads to goal in recent action. Last Saturday, senior attacker Blake scored six goals to help Princeton edge Cornell 12-11 and post its ninth straight win. The No. 5 Tigers, now 9-1 overall and 3-0 Ivy League, host Stony Brook on April 9 and Columbia on April 12. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
By Justin Feil
McKenzie Blake is off to a great start to her senior season with the Princeton University women’s lacrosse team.
But it’s more about the finish, which the Blake and the Tigers got a little reminder of in last Saturday’s 12-11 win at Cornell.
“This has been definitely a really good start to the season,” said Blake, who tallied six goals in the victory. “But you know coming with that we can’t let up and I think that’s definitely something that is in the back of all our minds with the Ivy League tournament and NCAA tournament — definitely that’s the number one priority.” more
CATCHING FIRE: Princeton University men’s lacrosse player Colin Burns unloads the ball in recent action. Last Saturday, sophomore attacker Burns scored three goals to help Princeton defeat Vermont 10-5. It marked the third straight hat trick for Burns. The No. 3 Tigers, now 8-2, host Brown on April 12. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
By Bill Alden
Colin Burns produced a solid start this spring in his sophomore season for the Princeton University men’s lacrosse team, scoring nine goals in the team’s first seven games.
But over the last week, star attacker Burns has caught fire, coming up with three-goal performances in three straight games as Princeton edged Dartmouth 11-8 on March 29, topped Lehigh 17-12 on April 1, and then defeated Vermont 10-5 last Saturday. more
TAKING THE WHEEL: Princeton High baseball player Eric Wheeler lays down a bunt in recent action. Last Thursday, senior Wheeler starred with his arm and bat to help PHS defeat Princeton Day School 3-1. Wheeler worked six innings on the mound to get the win and went 1 for 2 with a run and two walks at the plate to help PHS improve to 2-2. The Tigers host WW/P-South on April 10 before playing at Allentown on April 11 and Ewing on April 14. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
By Bill Alden
Eric Wheeler wasn’t at full strength last spring for the Princeton High baseball team, hampered by a back issue that kept him from making a major impact for the Tigers.
But this spring, Wheeler is back to 100 percent and has emerged as a star for the Tigers in the early going. On the mound, Wheeler pitched PHS to a 10-1 win over North Dame on March 29 and 3-1 win over Princeton Day School last Thursday. At bat, Wheeler is hitting .308 with four hits and three runs as the Tigers have started 2-2. more
OPENING STATEMENT: Princeton High girls’ lacrosse player Leah Bornstein sprints upfield in a 2024 game. Last Wednesday, junior midfielder Bornstein tallied two goals and three assists to help PHS edge Hopewell Valley 11-9 in its season opener. The Tigers, who fell 12-9 at Montgomery last Saturday, host WW/P-South on April 9 before playing at Princeton Day School on April 11, at the Hun School on April 12, and at Shore on April 15. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
By Bill Alden
Leah Bornstein starred at guard this winter for the Princeton High girls’ basketball team, scoring 184 points with 110 rebounds, 73 assists, and 81 steals to help the Tigers go 19-10.
But while Bornstein was busy on the hardcourt, she made time to keep her lacrosse skills sharp. more
SWINGING AWAY: Princeton Day School baseball player Santino Cignarella follows through on a swing in a 2024 game. Senior infielder Cignarella went 1 for 3 with a walk last Thursday as PDS lost 3-1 to Princeton High. The Panthers, who moved to 0-5 with the defeat, host Hamilton West on April 10 before playing at Manville on April 12 and at Steinert on April 14. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
By Bill Alden
Having lost its first four games this spring, it looked like the Princeton Day School baseball team was poised for a breakthrough as it hosted Princeton High last Thursday.
Trailing 3-1 in the bottom of the seventh inning with two players on base, PDS freshman third baseman Vince Filis ripped a line drive down the left field line that sent the runners racing home. more
BECK AND CALL: Hun School boys’ lacrosse player Jake Beck heads upfield in a game last season. Junior midfielder Beck figures to be an offensive catalyst for the Raiders this spring. Hun, which lost 16-6 to Chatham last Saturday to move to 0-4 under new head coach Joe Donnelly, hosts the Hill School (Pa.) on April 9, plays at Shawnee High on April 12, and then hosts the Westtown School (Pa.) on April 15. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
By Bill Alden
As the third head coach in the last three years for the Hun School boys’ lacrosse team, Joe Donnelly is determined to establish some stability for the program.
“For us, it is about building a culture that is going to last,” said Donnelly. “It has been a lot of initial buy-in for a lot of these kids early on. For us, it is making a point that my goal is to be here for a very, very long time and trying to build something that lasts. It is not necessarily about the wins and the losses, it is about how much we can improve as a team and as a unit and help these kids for after high school.” more
April 2, 2025
THE WRIGHT STUFF: Princeton University softball pitcher Brielle Wright delivers a pitch in action last weekend as Princeton hosted Yale for a three-game series at its new Cynthia Lynn Paul ’94 Field. Junior Wright starred for the Tigers, going 2-0 in the circle as Princeton swept the Bulldogs. The Tigers topped Yale 6-0 on Friday and then defeated the Bulldogs 9-0 and 2-0 in a doubleheader on Saturday. Wright got the wins in games one and three, striking out 13 batters in 13 innings. She was later named as the Ivy League Pitcher of the Week. The Tigers, now 11-12 overall and 6-0 Ivy, host Lehigh on April 2 and then head to Dartmouth for a three-game set with a doubleheader on April 5 and a single game on April 6. (Photo by Shelley Szwast, provided courtesy of Princeton Athletics)
By Bill Alden
After excelling in a relief pitching role last spring for the Princeton University softball team, Brielle Wright had to shift gears this season as she was moved into the starting rotation.
“It was definitely a transition at first; last year I was typically coming into the end of the game for two innings, maybe three every weekend,” said junior lefty Wright, a 5’8 native of Rocklin, Calif. more
LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON: Princeton University baseball player Jake Koonin makes a play in the infield in recent action. Junior infielder and leadoff hitter Koonin has helped the Tigers get off to a solid 4-2 start in Ivy League action. Princeton, now 7-18 overall, plays at Seton Hall on April 2 before heading to Penn for a three-game series with a doubleheader on April 5 and a single game on April 6. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
By Justin Feil
Jake Koonin is not the first guy in his family to lead off for the Princeton University baseball team.
Koonin’s dad, Jason, hit atop the lineup for the Tigers before graduating in 1999.
The similarities don’t end there. Both have been strong, fast players for Princeton head coach Scott Bradley, who is now in his 28th season guiding the Tiger program. He took over in the elder Koonin’s final year. more
BORN READY: Princeton High girls’ lacrosse player Leah Bornstein looks to unload the ball in a game last year. Junior midfielder Bornstein, who tallied 56 goals and 22 assists last year, figures to be an offensive catalyst again for the Tigers this spring. PHS opens its 2025 season by hosting Hopewell Valley on April 2. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
By Bill Alden
After enduring a disappointing 7-12 campaign in 2023, the Princeton High girls’ lacrosse team produced a reversal of fortune last spring, going 12-9 and advancing to the quarterfinals of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) North Jersey Group 3 sectional.
As PHS looks ahead to the upcoming season, Tiger head coach Katie Federico believes that run will serve as motivation for this year’s squad. more
BRING IT ON: Princeton Day School boys’ lacrosse player Colton Simonds heads upfield in a game last spring. Senior Simonds brings grit and production to the midfield for the Panthers. PDS, which will be led by new head coach Sam Kosoff this spring, was slated to open its 2025 campaign by hosting the Blair Academy on April 1, Notre Dame on April 3, and Hopewell Valley on April 8. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
By Bill Alden
Sam Kosoff fell in love with lacrosse as a youngster.
“I grew up in upstate New York outside of Syracuse and I started playing at a very young age before it was popular to start playing at a young age,” said Kosoff. “I used to go to Syracuse games as a little guy. I just grew up around the sport.” more
OPENING SALVO: Hun School baseball player Nico Amecangelo follows through on a swing in a game last year. Senior second baseman Amecangelo has gotten off to a hot start this spring, going 5 for 7 with five runs and two RBIs as Hun opened the 2025 season by topping Georgetown Prep (Md.) 8-4 last Thursday and then defeating Lawrenceville 11-4 on Saturday. The Raiders will look to keep on the winning track as they host Gloucester Catholic on April 3, play at Peddie on April 5 and then host the Hill School (Pa.) on April 8. (Photo by Steven Wojtowicz)
By Bill Alden
Sparked by a group of blue chip seniors, the Hun School baseball team produced a historic campaign last spring, achieving a title triple of winning the Mercer County Tournament, the Prep A tourney, and the Mid-Atlantic Prep League (MAPL) championship.
While losing such stars as Charlie Batista, Sam Wright, Michael Olender, Ryan Greenstein, and E.J. Balewitz to graduation could result in a rebuilding season, Hun head coach Tom Monfiletto believes that this year’s group has the chance to make some history of its own. more