TURNING THE CORNER: Princeton High boys’ soccer player Aaron Thyrum goes after the ball in recent action. Last Saturday, junior midfielderThyrum lofted a corner kick that Chase Hamerschlag converted into the winning goal as second-seeded PHS edged fourth-seeded Notre Dame 1-0 in the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Tournament final. The Tigers, now 14-2-3, will next be in action when they start play in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Group 4 tournament where they will be looking for a second straight state title. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Aaron Thyrum had the game at his feet for the Princeton High boys’ soccer team late in the second half as it was locked in a scoreless tie with Notre Dame in the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Tournament final last Saturday afternoon.

With 10 minutes left in regulation and a stiff crosswind howling across Ackerson Field at Hopewell Valley High, junior midfielder Thyrum lined up a corner kick and had a target in mind. more

THREE-PEAT: Princeton High girls’ volleyball player Naomi Lygas sets the ball in a game earlier this season. Last Thursday, junior star Lygas contributed 10 kills and eight digs to help PHS defeat Princeton Day School 2-0 (25-6, 25-10) in the Burlington County Scholastic League (BCSL) tournament final. It marked the third straight BCSL title for the Tigers. PHS, who moved to 22-1 with a 3-0 win (25-16, 25-13, 25-10) over Paul VI last Monday, play at Union Catholic on October 30. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Naomi Lygas and her teammates on the Princeton High girls’ volleyball team were determined to show that they weren’t overrated as they hosted the Burlington County Scholastic League (BCSL) tournament last Thursday.

“I know that coming into today we saw that we were ranked first on NJ.com, so that was a big thing,” said PHS junior star Lygas. “Now we want to prove ourselves to be that.” more

WINNING COMBINATION: Princeton High football quarterback/defensive back Travis Petrone, left, and junior running back/defensive back Carmine Carusone led the way as PHS defeated the West Windsor/Plainsboro football co-op 21-13 last Saturday. Petrone threw a pair of second quarter touchdown passes to Carusone, who also ran for a TD in the fourth quarter. The Tigers improved to 5-4 with the win and clinched their first trip to the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) playoffs since 2014. PHS is seeded eighth in the NJSIAA South Jersey, Group 4 Tournament and will play at top-seeded Winslow (9-0) in a quarterfinal contest on November 2. (Photos by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

There was a lot on the line for the Princeton High football team as it hosted the West Windsor/Plainsboro football co-op last Saturday in its regular season finale.

As the Tigers celebrated Senior Day, they needed a win to go over .500 and put themselves in position to earn their first trip to the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) playoffs since 2014. more

UP IN THE AIR: Princeton High girls’ tennis first doubles player Ashna Bushan leaps to make a shot as partner Maya-Alexandra Todorov looks on last Wednesday in the final of the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Tournament. The pair of junior Bushan and senior Todorov topped WW/P-North’s Anjali Vemuri and Maahi Patmidi 6-4, 4-6, (10-8) to win the title. The victory helped PHS take second to North in the team standings at the event which was played at the Mercer County Tennis Complex. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Last fall, the pair of Maya-Alexandra Todorov and Ashna Bushan rolled to the title at first doubles for the Princeton High girls’ tennis team at the Mercer County Tournament in what turned out to be the last year of the competition.

With the Mercer County Tournament Association announcing last spring that it was discontinuing the county tournament in favor of a Colonial Valley Conference Tournament, which bars local private schools who are not members of the CVC, the result was the same last week as Todorov and Bushan prevailed at first doubles. more

STICKING TOGETHER: Members of the Hun School field hockey team celebrate after tallying a goal in a game earlier this season. Last Wednesday, Hun couldn’t get its offense going as the third-seeded Raiders fell 2-0 to sixth-seeded Lawrenceville in the Prep A state quarterfinal round. Hun, which lost 3-0 to Lawrenceville in a regular season contest last Saturday to move to 7-9, hosts the Peddie School on November 2 in its season finale. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Things didn’t go well for the Hun School field hockey team as it hosted rival Lawrenceville last Wednesday in the Prep A state quarterfinal round.

Unable to get into an offensive rhythm, third-seeded Hun fell 2-0 to the sixth-seeded Big Red.

“It wasn’t all that we could give, some days are better than others,” said Hun post-graduate star Sophia Clark. “We have worked hard, we have had a lot of great opportunities. It is just about putting them away really.” more

HAMMER TIME: Princeton High boys’ soccer player Chase Hamerschlag rises up for a header in recent action. Last Monday, junior center back Hamerschlag scored a goal and played strong defense to help second-seeded PHS defeat 10th-seeded Trenton Central 2-1 in the quarterfinal round of the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Tournament. The Tigers, now 12-2-3, will face third-seeded Steinert in the CVC tourney semis on October 24 at Hopewell Valley with the victor advancing to the final on October 26. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Chase Hamerschlag provided a spark off the bench as a reserve forward for the Princeton High boys’ soccer team last fall as it won the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Group 4 state title.

Backing up high-scoring striker Pasquale Carusone, Hamerschlag contributed five goals and two assists. But with PHS losing star center backs Nick Matese and Jamie Reynolds to graduation, Hamerschlag volunteered to move back to the back line this season to help fill that void. more

KACEY PRIME: Princeton High girls’ soccer player Kacey Howes, left, gets ready to boot the ball in a game earlier this season. Last Saturday, junior star Howes scored two goals in the second half as 10th-seeded PHS produced a late rally against seventh-seeded Princeton Day School in the first round of the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Tournament but came up short in a 3-2 loss. The Tigers, who defeated Hightstown 2-0 in a CVC consolation contest on Monday to move to 5-9-2, host the Peddie School on October 29. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

With the Princeton High girls’ soccer team having lost 2-0 to Princeton Day School in September, it looked like the Tigers were about to be blanked again in the rivalry when the local foes met last Saturday in the first round of the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Tournament.

Midway through the second half, 10th-seeded PHS trailed the host and seventh-seeded Panthers 3-0 despite generating some good scoring chances on set pieces, including a free kick that flew inches over the goal and a corner kick that resulted in the ball ricocheting off the crossbar. more

HOLDING COURT: Princeton Day School girls’ tennis player Kavita Amin follows through on a shot last Thursday as PDS faced the Pingry School in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Non-Public state final at the Mercer County Park tennis complex. Senior Amin and sophomore Zarna Kalra lost 6-1, 6-2 to Isabelle Chen and Leila Souayah at first doubles as the Panthers fell 5-0 to Pingry.

By Bill Alden

As a senior captain for the Princeton Day School girls’ tennis team, Kavita Amin aims to positively influence her teammates.

“I really like being a mentor to the younger players and keeping the team culture really high which I think we have done good job of,” said Amin. “We have become really close, not only as teammates but we are really good friends. We know how to look out for each other.” more

By Bill Alden

For Makena Graham and her teammates on the Princeton Day School girls’ soccer team, hosting Princeton High last Saturday in the opening round of the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Tournament was an opportunity to turn the page on an uneven campaign.

“We have had a rough start to the season so we all said today is a reset, today nothing else matters,” said Graham of the Panthers who had gone 1-5 in their previous six games before the CVC opener.

“It didn’t matter that we beat them before (2-0 on September 24). Our record didn’t matter. It was come in like a new team. We were going to possess, we were going to play our way. We weren’t going to panic.” more

ON DECK: Princeton High girls’ tennis player Phoebe Decker hits a backhand last week as fourth-seeded PHS edged fifth seeded Summit 3-2 in the quarterfinal round of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) North 2 Group 3 sectional. Sophomore Decker posted a 4-6, 6-2, 10-3 (match tiebreak) victory at second singles to clinch the win for PHS. The Tigers, who defeated top-seeded Ridge 3-2 in the sectional semis last Thursday, were slated to play at second-seeded WW/P-North in the final on October 15 with the victor advancing to the Group 3 state semis on October 17 at Mercer County Park. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Phoebe Decker fell 6-4 in the first set of her match at second singles for the Princeton High girls’ tennis team as it hosted Summit last week in the quarterfinal round of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) North 2 Group 3 sectional.

But learning that both PHS doubles teams had won their matches, Decker raised the level of her game knowing that if she came through with a victory at second singles, the fourth-seeded Tigers would defeat fifth-seeded Summit and advance to the sectional semis.  more

HINDS PLAZA: Princeton High football player Ellington Hinds heads upfield against Nottingham last Saturday. Junior star receiver/defensive back Hinds made four receptions for 78 yards and a touchdown and had an interception in the game but it wasn’t enough as PHS lost 28-14 to the Northstars. The Tigers, now 3-4, host Trenton Central (4-3) this Friday evening in their annual Homecoming contest under the lights. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

As the Princeton High football team played at Nottingham last Saturday afternoon, Ellington Hinds spent much of the second half lying prone on the sideline stretching out a sore back and ended the day with cotton stuffed in his left nostril to staunch a bloody nose.

But when junior star receiver/defensive back Hinds was on the field he hurt Nottingham, making a key interception at the end of the first half and racing to the end zone on a 39-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter as PHS battled to overcome an early 14-0 deficit. more

NO BACKING DOWN: Princeton Day School girls’ tennis player Arya Kalra smacks a backhand in recent action. Last Thursday, senior Kalra battled through illness to post a 6-0, 6-1 win at first singles to help second-seeded PDS defeat third-seeded Donavan Catholic 5-0 in the semifinal round of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Non-Public South sectional. The Panthers, who improved to 8-4 with the win, were slated to host 16th-seeded Rutgers Prep in the final on October 15 with the victor advancing to the Non-Public state final on October 17 at Mercer County Park. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Earlier this month, Arya Kalra wasn’t sure if she would be well enough to compete for the Princeton Day School girls’ tennis team in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Non-Public South state tournament.

“This past week, I got really, really sick; I was out that whole last week,” said senior Kalra. “When we started states, I wasn’t playing a lot. I still wanted to play in their state tournament.” more

GETTING HIS KICKS: Princeton High football player Carmine Carusone boots the ball in a game earlier this season. Last Friday night, junior star running back/defensive back Carusone kicked an 18-yard field goal in the waning seconds of regulation to provide the margin of victory as PHS defeated previously undefeated Holy Cross Prep 3-0. The Tigers, now 3-3, play at Nottingham on October 12. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

In getting off to a 1-3 start this fall, the Princeton High football team was hampered by some injuries to key players.

But getting back to nearly full strength as it hosted Robbinsville on September 28, PHS gave a glimpse of its potential. Jumping out to a 34-0 halftime lead over the Ravens, the Tigers cruised to a 41-6 triumph. more

WALK THIS WAY: Princeton High field hockey player Sarah Cate Walker controls the ball in a game earlier this season. Last Wednesday, junior forward Walker scored two goals as PHS defeated WW/P-North 7-1. The Tigers, who topped WW/P-South 7-0 on Monday to move to 5-5 with Walker chipping in three goals and one assist, host Hopewell Valley on October 9. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Sarah Cate Walker set the tone for the Princeton High field hockey team when it hosted WW/P-North last Wednesday afternoon.

PHS junior forward Walker scored a pair of goals as the Tigers jumped out to a 3-0 first quarter lead on the way to a 7-1 win over the Northern Knights.

Walker started the scoring on the day, tallying a goal five minutes into the contest. more

FIRING AWAY: Princeton Day School boys’ soccer goalie Oren Yakoby fires the ball up the field in a game earlier this season. Last Friday, senior Yakoby starred in a losing cause, making eight saves as PDS fell 2-0 to Lawrenceville. The Panthers, who moved to 3-7 with the loss, host Trenton Central on October 10 and Allentown on October 15. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Hosting rival Lawrenceville last Friday afternoon, the Princeton Day School boys’ soccer team got off to a solid start.

Buoyed by a throng on hand at Baker Field for the school’s Fall Tailgate, PDS had the better of play against the Big Red in the early stages of the contest, gaining plenty of possession and generating chances. more

GETTING AFTER IT: Princeton Day School girls’ soccer player Ella McLaren, left, chases down a ball in recent action. Junior defender McLaren has been leading the back line for PDS this fall. The Panthers, who fell 3-0 to Shawnee last Friday to move to 5-4-1, play at Trenton Central on October 10 and at Allentown on October 15. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Ella McLaren moved to center back from midfield last fall for the Princeton Day School girls’ soccer team and formed a partnership with Tochi Owunna.

With the pair anchoring the PDS back line to stifle foes, the Panthers caught fire down the stretch, winning the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Non-Public A state title, blanking Mount St. Dominic 2-0 in the final. more

SAVING GRACE: Stuart County Day School field hockey goalie Emily Harlan makes a save in a game earlier this season. Last Thursday, senior Harlan made 15 saves in a losing cause as Stuart fell 1-0 to Delaware Valley and moved to 4-6. The Tartans are next in action when they play at the Peddie School on October 16. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Emily Harlan is following in the footsteps of her older sister Lily in her senior season for the Stuart County Day School field hockey, having developed into an inspiring performer for the Tartans.

“I think part of it is being Lily’s sister, she has always been my leader,” said senior goalie Harlan of her older sibling who starred at forward for Stuart and is now playing at Boston University. “She influenced me to get into the game at a young age. She was here when I was here. When I saw her as a leader and then she left, I thought I am going to be like my sister. I am going to step it up.” more

MO BETTER: Princeton University women’s rugby player Malinka Kwemo (carrying ball) wards off a tackler in a game earlier this season. On September 21, sophomore back Kwemo went 7 for 9 on conversion attempts as Princeton defeated Bowdoin 59-0 to post its first-ever victory in varsity 15s competition after losing 15 straight since 2022 when the program moved up to the varsity level. The Tigers, who fell 46-5 to Brown last Saturday to drop to 1-3, play at Quinnipiac on October 5. (Photo by Shelley Szwast, provided courtesy of Princeton Athletics)

By Bill Alden

Over its first two seasons as a varsity 15s program, the Princeton University women’s rugby team went winless, dropping all 13 games it played in 2022-23.

But heading into this fall, Princeton was confident that it was on the verge of a breakthrough win. more

BRIGHT STAR: Princeton High boys’ soccer player Azariah Breitman, right, chases after the ball in recent action. Last Thursday, senior forward and co-captain Breitman tallied two goals and an assist to help PHS defeat WW/P-North 7-1. The Tigers, who tied Westfield 2-2 last Saturday to move to 6-1-2, host Gill St. Bernard’s on October 5 and Steinert on October 8. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Azariah Breitman scored just one goal in the first five games this fall for the Princeton High boys’ soccer team.

In game six, though, senior forward and co-captain Breitman exploded for three goals in a 4-1 win over Hopewell Valley and that opened the floodgates for him. more

OUT OF THE WOODS: Princeton High girls’ volleyball player Charlotte Woods sets a ball in a game last fall. Last Wednesday, junior star Woods contributed seven kills and eight digs as PHS defeated Woodbridge 2-0 (25-15, 25-21). The Tigers, who improved to 12-0 with a 2-0 (25-18, 25-8) win over Princeton Day School last Monday, play at Immaculate Heart on October 5 and at Notre Dame on October 7. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

As the Princeton High girls’ volleyball team hosted Woodbridge last Wednesday, Charlotte Woods didn’t take long to get into the flow.

“I feel like I was able to warm up and open up and take some really harder hits,” said junior outside hitter Woods. “The sets by Lois [Matsukawa] were awesome, — that made those big hits possible.” more

DOUBLE TAKE: Princeton High girls’ tennis first doubles player Maya-Alexandra Todorov, left, hits a backhand in action last fall as partner Ashna Bushan covers the net. Last Monday, the pair of Todorov and Bushan posted a 6-0, 6-1 win to help fourth-seeded PHS defeat 13th-seeded Middletown North 5-0 in the first round of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) North 2 Group 3 state team sectional. The Tigers, who improved to 5-1, will play at Lawrence High on October 7 in a regular season match before hosting fifth-seeded Summit in the sectional quarterfinals on October 8. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Boasting a battle-tested core of veteran performers, the Princeton High girls’ tennis team has picked up where it left off last year.

After winning eight of its last nine matches in 2023, advancing the Central Jersey Group 3 final in the process, the Tigers have started 5-1 this fall with their latest victory coming last Monday when the fourth-seeded Tigers defeated 13th-seeded Middletown North 5-0 in the first round of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) North 2 Group 3 state team sectional on October 8. more

PUSHING FORWARD: Hun School boys’ soccer player Luke Donahue, right, battles for the ball in a game earlier this season. Senior forward Donahue has tallied a goal and an assist so far this fall to help Hun get off to a 5-1-2 start. In upcoming action, the Raiders play at the Blair Academy on October 5 and at the Peddie School on October 8. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

It is the only loss for the Hun School boys’ soccer team so far this fall, but it proved to be a sign of the squad’s quality.

Facing perennial powerhouse Pennington on September 18, Hun battled the Red Hawks to a scoreless stalemate in the first half and the foes were locked in a 1-1 tie late in the second half before the Raiders yielded two late goals to fall 3-1. more