December 13, 2023

Featuring a Solid Core of Battle-Tested Players, PHS Boys’ Hoops Upbeat About its Prospects

OH YES: Princeton High boys’ basketball player Jahan Owusu heads to the hoop in a game last year. Senior guard Owusu, the team’s leading scorer last season, figures to be a go-to player again this winter for the Tigers. PHS tips off its 2023-24 campaign by playing at Ewing on December 14. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Last winter, the Princeton High boys’ basketball team saved its best for last, going 5-3 in its last eight games with two of the losses coming by one point in hard-fought postseason contests.

With PHS having only lost a couple of senior starters from that squad, Patrick Noone believes that his returners have picked up from where they left off as they have gone through preseason practices.

“The vibe has been really good, they are really connected,” said PHS head coach Noone, who guided the Tigers to a 10-13 record last winter and whose team tips off the 2023-24 season by playing at Ewing High on December 14. “They are really enjoying themselves. We have got a lot of returning guys and some key newcomers so it has been good.” more

Coming Off Winning Campaign, MCI Title Run, PHS Girls’ Hoops Has Pieces in Place for Big Winter

ON THE RISE: Princeton High girls’ basketball player Gabby Bannett goes up for a layup in a game last season. Senior star forward and team captain Bannett will be depended on to provide production and leadership for the Tigers this winter. PHS opens its 2023-24 season by hosting Ewing High on December 14. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Although the Princeton High girls’ basketball team hasn’t played a regular season game yet this winter, Dave Kosa is already impressed by his squad’s spirit.

“We had our best practice today, it was just having a great vibe,” said PHS head coach Kosa.

“I said to them on December 7, this has been my best team since I have been here as far as how hard we are practicing and we are getting after it. It doesn’t matter who I put on the blue team or the white team, they are going at it versus one another. It is great to see those types of practices where we are competing. Having competition just gets everyone better.” more

Undergoing a Youth Movement by Necessity, PDS Boys’ Basketball has Potential to Excel

GETTING HIS SHOT: Princeton Day School boys’ basketball player Adam Stewart puts up a shot in a game last winter. Junior guard Stewart figures to be a key performer for the Panthers this season as he moves into the starting lineup. PDS tips off its 2023-24 campaign by hosting Delran High on December 14. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Losing six seniors to graduation, including its three leading scorers, the Princeton Day School boys’ basketball team is undergoing a youth movement by necessity this winter.

With three freshmen, five sophomores, and two juniors figuring to get a lot of minutes this season, PDS head coach Eugene Burroughs is looking forward to seeing his team develop over the course of the winter.

“With a young group, there are going to be some ups and downs, they are going to have some good days and bad days,” said Burroughs, whose team tips off its 2023-24 campaign by hosting Delran High on December 14. “They don’t know what they don’t know. We have some good pieces and some good skill level. I think the athleticism piece is there and the ability to score a little bit is there. It is going to be fun to see them mature as a group.” more

December 6, 2023

PU Men’s Water Polo Falls to UCLA in NCAA Semis, Making Progress Toward Ultimate Goal of National Title

SEMI-TOUGH: Princeton University men’s water polo player George Caras races up the pool in recent action. Junior Caras starred as fourth-seeded Princeton topped UC Irvine 12-7 in the NCAA quarterfinals last Friday before falling 17-13 to top-seeded UCLA in the semis a day later at the Uytengsu Aquatics Center at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. The Tigers finished the season with a 28-6 record. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Justin Feil

Mason Killion’s goal brought the Princeton University men’s water polo team even with top-seeded UCLA in the fourth quarter of the NCAA semifinals Saturday.

The fourth-seeded Tigers stood seven minutes away from reaching the championship game where they could play for the national title goal they had been aiming for all season.

UCLA, though, responded with the next three goals to put the Tigers in a deficit that they couldn’t claw back from in a 17-13 loss in a game played at the Uytengsu Aquatics Center at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. Princeton drew as close as 14-12 with 2:52 before UCLA scored twice in the next 24 seconds to end the Tigers year at 28-6 overall after securing their third straight Northeast Water Polo Conference Championship to earn another trip to the NCAAs. more

Enjoying Banner Day as NCAA Sweet 16 Run Celebrated, PU Men’s Hoops Rallies to Edge Furman on Allocco Shot

GOING TO THE MATT: Princeton University men’s basketball player Matt Allocco heads to the hoop in a game earlier this season. Last Saturday, senior guard Allocco drained a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to give Princeton a dramatic come-from-behind 70-69 win over Furman. The Tigers, who moved to 8-0 with the victory, were slated to host Drexel on December 5 before playing at Saint Joseph’s on December 10. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

The cheers started early Saturday afternoon as the Princeton University men’s basketball team hosted Furman.

In a pregame ceremony, Princeton’s magical run to the NCAA Sweet 16 this past March was celebrated and a banner memorializing the achievement was unfurled from the rafters at Jadwin Gym to the applause of the 2,142 on hand for the contest.

About two hours later, the Jadwin crowd erupted in a frenzy with a full-throated roar after the Tigers, displaying the mettle that exemplified their March Madness success, rallied from a 61-50 deficit late in the second half to stun the Paladins 70-69 on a buzzer-beating 3-pointer by senior star Matt Allocco. more

With Younger Players Breaking Into the Rotation, PHS Boys’ Hockey Aiming to Maintain Winning Ways

ON THE STICK: Princeton High boys’ hockey player Brendan Beatty brings the puck up the ice in action last winter. Junior forward Beatty is the leading returning scorer for PHS, having tallied 33 points on 10 goals and 23 assists last season. The Tigers open their 2023-24 campaign by facing Notre Dame High on December 11 at the Mercer County Skating Center. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

In taking the helm of the Princeton High boys’ hockey team last winter, Rik Johnson benefited from a stellar senior group that provided leadership and production.

The team’s Class of 2023, headlined by high-scoring forwards Cooper Zullo and Ethan Garlock, led the way as PHS won the Mercer County Tournament for the first time since 2020 and advanced the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Public A quarterfinals on the way to a 15-7-1 record.

As PHS head coach Johnson looks ahead to the 2023-24 campaign, he acknowledges that his squad may have to rely on its battle-tested blue line unit to maintain the program’s winning ways. more

Putting an Emphasis on Disciplined Defensive Play, PDS Boys’ Hockey Aiming for Breakthrough Season

SHIN GUARD: Princeton Day School boys’ hockey player Han Shin controls the puck in a game last winter. Senior defenseman Shin is primed for a big final campaign for the Panthers. PDS opens its 2023-24 season by hosting the Delbarton School on December 7. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Showing flashes of brilliance, the Princeton Day School boys’ hockey team has proven that it can compete with the elite programs in New Jersey as a member of the Gordon Conference.

But PDS has fallen short of breaking into the upper echelon, struggling in the Gordon Cup and New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Non-Public postseason competition.

“I felt like our first two years in that conference, we hung with teams, we were around in third periods,” said PDS head coach Scott Bertoli, whose team went 7-11-3 last season. “We didn’t have the difference makers that the other teams had, being Delbarton, CBA (Christian Brothers Academy), and Don Bosco. We haven’t gotten over that hurdle since we have been in that conference. We have had tremendous games, we have tied some of those teams, but we haven’t beaten any of those three teams. Ultimately to get where we want to be we have got to figure that out. more

Szeker Taking Helm of Hun Boys’ Hockey, Fired Up to be Coaching at his Alma Mater

OPENING SALVO: Hun School boys’ hockey player Ryan Levesque tracks the puck in a game last winter. On Friday, senior forward Levesque tallied three goals and two assists to help Hun defeat the Haverford School (Pa.) 14-3 in its season opener. In upcoming action, the Raiders face LaSalle College High (Pa.) on December 6 at Hatfield Ice Arena and Notre Dame High on December 8 at Grundy Ice Arena before hosting St. Joseph’s Prep (Pa.) on December 12 at Ice Land Skating Center. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

For Eric Szeker, playing for the Hun School boys’ hockey team a decade ago left him with the memories of a lifetime.

“I have played on a lot of great teams, I have played in a lot of awesome places across the country and in the Northeast; honestly looking back, it was some of the best times I ever had in hockey,” said Szeker, a 2013 Hun alum who served as the captain of the Raiders in his senior season. “You get to spend eight hours a day with some of your best friends. You get to wear your school logo. We had that locker room over at Ice Land. It is no NHL locker room, but it is still your place where you get to hang out with friends, have lunch, and do homework.”

After playing juniors for the Cape Cod Islanders, Szeker went on to play four years at Western New England University, a Division III program based in Springfield, Mass. more

With Veterans, Freshmen Getting on Same Page, Stuart Basketball Undergoing Growth Process 

TAYLOR-MADE: Stuart Country Day School basketball player Taylor States heads to the basket in action last winter. Sophomore forward States, who led Stuart in scoring last season with 177 points, figures to be the top offensive threat for the Tartans again this winter. Stuart tips off its 2023-24 campaign by playing at the Peddie School on December 6. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

With the Stuart Country Day School basketball team featuring a mix of four returners and five newcomers, Tony Bowman has been providing his players with plenty of teachable moments.

“It is a growing process, it is a learning process,” said Stuart head coach Bowman, who guided the Tartans to a 5-6 record last winter as he returned for his second stint with the program after coaching Stuart from 2003-11. “We don’t have a JV so they are going from middle school straight to varsity. It is a big transition, that is where we’re at.” more

November 29, 2023

Sparked by 30-Point Outburst from Sophomore Star Lee, Princeton Men’s Hoops Tops Northeastern, Improves to 6-0

X-FACTOR: Princeton University men’s basketball player Xaivian Lee drives past a Northeastern defender last Saturday as Princeton hosted the Huskies in its home opener. Sophomore guard Lee poured in a career-high 30 points to help the Tigers prevail 80-66. Lee was later named the Ivy League Player of the Week. Princeton, now 6-0, plays at Bucknell on November 29 before hosting Furman on December 2 and Drexel on December 5. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

With the Princeton University men’s basketball team having played its first five games away from Jadwin Gym this season, Xaivian Lee was happy to be back home as the Tigers hosted Northeastern last Saturday afternoon.

“We had a great crowd, it is always good play in front of someone rooting for you,” said Princeton sophomore guard Lee. “Every game has been on the road, so it was nice to be home for sure. Coach (Mitch Henderson) always says the cuts are a little faster. I find our shots go in a little more. It is definitely good to play here.” more

Feasting Over Thanksgiving at Big-Time Florida Event, Princeton Women’s Hoops Goes 1-1, Moves into Top 25

ROSY OUTLOOK: Princeton University women’s basketball player Madison St. Rose dribbles upcourt in recent action. Last Thursday, sophomore guard St. Rose scored 24 points to help Princeton defeat No. 20 Oklahoma 77-63 in the Elevance Health Women’s Fort Myers Tip-Off. Two days later, St. Rose chipped in 11 points in a losing cause as the Tigers fell 72-63 to No. 19 Indiana to wrap up play in the Fort Myers event. The Tigers, now 4-2, made it into the Associated Press Top 25 poll this week, getting ranked at No. 25. In upcoming action, Princeton hosts Seton Hall on November 29 and plays at Rhode Island on December 3. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Justin Feil

A Top-20 win for the Princeton University women’s basketball team made the team’s Thanksgiving feast taste all the better.

The Tigers enjoyed a holiday meal together last Thursday in Florida after defeating No. 20 Oklahoma, 77-63, earlier in the day in the first game of the Elevance Health Women’s Fort Myers (Fla.) Tip-Off.

“It was great,” said Princeton head coach Carla Berube. “It was fun playing early in the afternoon and then we had a big Thanksgiving feast with the whole team and the families that were there. It was really nice. It was fun to all be together for the holiday and getting a big W on top of it.”

Princeton dropped the second game of the tournament, 72-63, to No. 19 Indiana on Saturday to move to 4-2 overall. The Tigers will be home for the first time since their season opener when they host Seton Hall at Jadwin Gym on Wednesday. more

Coming Up Short in a Season of Nail-Biters, PU Football Turning Focus to Making Corrections

TENSE CAMPAIGN: Princeton University football head coach Bob Surace surveys the action in a game this fall. It was a season of nail-biters for the Tigers as they went 5-5 overall and 4-3 Ivy League with their two non-conference losses coming by three points each and their Ivy defeats coming in two overtime contests and a two-point setback. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

If this fall had been governed by the rules used in 1995, the Princeton University football team would have earned a share of the Ivy League title.

In its seven Ivy contests, Princeton went 4-1 in games decided in regulation and tied the two others. In 1995, that would have left the Tigers at 4-1-2 and in a tie for the title. But with college football adopting overtime in 1996, there are no longer ties and Princeton saw its ties turn into losses. more

PHS Soccer Star Carusone, Tiger Field Hockey’s Keegan Get the Nod as Town Topics’ Leading Fall Performers

TITLE RUN: Princeton High Boys’ soccer player Pasquale Carusone races past a defender in action this fall. Senior striker Carusone tallied a team-high 28 goals to help PHS win the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Group 4 state title and post a 22-2 record. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Pasquale Carusone made a decision that changed the course of history for the Princeton High boys’ soccer program.

After focusing on club soccer during his first three years at PHS, he opted to join the Tiger squad this fall.

“It is my senior year, I definitely have to play for my high school,” said Carusone, who played for the Players Development Academy (PDA) and has committed to play at the college level for the University of Rochester. “A lot of kids were giving me stuff for it and saying we could go super far with you this year.”

The PHS players welcomed Carusone with open arms. “They were happy to see me, they have been wanting me to come out for three years,” said Carusone. “I have known the Smith brothers (junior midfielder Archie and freshman midfielder Harvey) for a while — I have played club with them forever. We jelled quick, it wasn’t like it took a few games.” more

Featuring Stellar Senior Group, Infusion of Talent, PHS Football Produced 1st Winning Season Since ’14

BREAKING THROUGH: Princeton High football player Remmick Granozio fights for extra yardage in a game this fall. Senior tight end Granozio’s intensity helped the Tigers go 5-4 this year as the program produced its first winning campaign since 2014. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

In recent years, Charlie Gallagher needed to be creative to put a positive spin on things when he spoke at the year-end banquet for his Princeton High football team.

But this Thursday when the team gathers for the annual event, PHS head coach Gallagher will have plenty of positives to cover as he recaps a 2023 season that saw the Tigers go 5-4, producing their first winning campaign since 2014. more

Encouraged By Positive Vibe in Preseason, Hun Boys’ Basketball Primed for Big Winter

SHOOTING STAR: Hun School boys’ basketball player Mac Kelly puts up a shot in a game last season. Senior guard Kelly figures to be a key offensive threat this winter for Hun. The Raiders were slated to tip off their 2023-24 campaign by hosting Compass Basketball Academy on November 28 and then playing at the Haverford School (Pa.) on November 30. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

It is early but Jon Stone is sensing that his Hun School boys’ basketball team could grow into something special.

“The vibe has been really good, we clearly have a lot of things to work on but we have been getting there,” said Hun head coach Stone, whose team went 14-13 last winter and was slated to tip off its 2023-24 campaign by hosting Compass Basketball Academy on November 28 and then playing at the Haverford School (Pa.) on November 30. “The guys have been working hard, the energy has been good.” more

Despite Falling to George School in Opener, Hun Girls’ Hoops Showed Plenty of Firepower

PASSING IT ON: Hun School girls’ basketball girls’ basketball player Anna Schweer looks to make a pass in a game last season. Hun is depending on senior guard Schweer to provide production and leadership this winter. The Raiders, who opened the season by falling 83-78 to George School (Pa.) on November 21, will be playing in the Hill School (Pa.) Girls’ Basketball Tournament from December 1-3. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Although the Hun School girls’ basketball team lost 83-78 to George School (Pa.) last week in its season opener, Sean Costello saw plenty of positives.

“I think that was as good a result as we could have gotten outside of getting the win in terms of the product we produced,” said Hun head coach Costello, noting that he was missing some key players due to injury for the November 21 contest. “We jumped on them. We brought a lot of energy, which was really good. We knocked down some shots, the kids got hot. I said before the game you want to win all of the games, but the first game is more about to see where you are at. It was about competing and setting the tempo, and we came out shining in those categories.” more

November 22, 2023

PU Men’s Water Polo Edges Harvard in NWPC Final, Now Heading to NCAAs Aiming to Win National Title

CRIMSON TIDE: Princeton University men’s water polo player Yurian Quinones pressures a Harvard player in regular season action. Last Sunday, senior Quinines scored a goal and helped key a stifling defensive effort as Princeton defeated Harvard 8-5 in the final of the Northeast Water Polo Conference (NWPC) tournament at Cambridge, Mass. The triumph gave the Tigers their third straight NWPC title, a program first. Princeton, which improved to 27-5 with the win over the Crimson, will now compete in the NCAA tournament where they are seeded fourth and will face UC Irvine in a first round contest on December 1 at the Uytengsu Aquatics Center at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Justin Feil

The Princeton University men’s water polo team came into the season with the goal of returning to the NCAA Championship field to win it all.

It is an enormous goal that came with the assumption that the Tigers would win another Northeast Water Polo Conference (NWPC) Championship to earn the league’s automatic bid to the NCAAs. The Tigers had manhandled conference rival Harvard in their first meeting of the season, 17-11, even without one of their top players.

The NWPC title became a little less certain when Princeton lost 14-13 to Harvard in double overtime in their regular-season meeting on October 29 three weeks before the NWPC tournament.

When both Princeton and Harvard won their NWPC semifinals Saturday, it set up a rubber match that meant a lot more than just who would win the season series.

Princeton went into the final treating the game as a qualifying game for NCAAs.

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With Freshman Goalie Smith Coming Up Big, Tiger Men’s Hockey Edges Cornell 2-1 in OT

Princeton Men’s hockey hosts Cornell on November 18, 2023.

KING ARTHUR: Princeton University men’s hockey goalie Arthur Smith guards the crease in recent action. Last Saturday night, freshman Smith made 36 saves to help Princeton defeat Cornell 2-1 in overtime. The Tigers, now 3-2-1 overall and 3-2-1 ECAC Hockey, play a two-game set at Ohio State on November 24 and 25. (Photo provided courtesy of Princeton Athletics)

By Bill Alden

Arthur Smith has fit in quickly with the Princeton University men’s hockey team as he has joined the program this winter as a freshman goalie.

“The older guys do a really good job of doing the right things all of the time,” said Smith.

“It doesn’t really feel like I am a freshman, it feels like I am just a new person in the culture. They do a good job of making sure that we are all held to the same standard, it doesn’t matter if you are a freshman, sophomore, junior, senior.”

Last Friday, Princeton didn’t live up to its standard as it fell behind 5-1 to visiting Colgate midway through the second period. Smith came on in relief at that point and calmed things down, making eight saves as the Tigers fought back before falling 6-3.
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Opportunistic Princeton Football Forces 7 Turnovers To Defeat Penn 31-24 in Season Finale, End Fall at 5-5

WIZARD OF OZ: Princeton University linebacker Ozzie Nicholas celebrates after a big play in a game earlier this fall. Last Saturday, senior star Nicholas ended his Princeton career on a high note, making eight tackles and recovering a fumble to help the Tigers defeat Penn 31-24 at Franklin Field in Philadelphia in the season finale. Princeton ended the season at 5-5 overall and 4-3 Ivy League. Nicholas, for his part, led the Tigers and the league with 104 tackles. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

After the Princeton University football team suffered a heartbreaking 36-28 double overtime loss to Yale in its home finale on November 11 to get eliminated from the Ivy League title race, it could have gone through the motions as it ended the fall at Penn last Saturday.

But in the wake of the defeat to Yale, Princeton senior quarterback Blake Stenstrom vowed that the Tigers would go out in 2023 with a bang, not a whimper, as they faced the Quakers at venerable Franklin Field in Philadelphia.

“If this team is the team I believe it to be we are going to come out and we are going to attack practice regardless of what awaits us,” said Stenstrom. “Guys are going to fight and go out on a high note. There were a lot of tough ones this season and at the end of last season, and guys have never quit.”

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With New Coach Dubuque Bringing Energy, PU Wrestling Finishes 3rd at Navy Classic

STOUT DEFENSE: Princeton University wrestler Luke Stout, right, battles a foe in a bout last winter. Last Saturday, junior Stout placed first in the 197-pound weight class at the Navy Classic in Owings Mills, Md. Stout’s heroics helped Princeton finish third in the team standings at the event, which was won by Nebraska. The Tigers, who are being guided by new head coach Joe Dubuque, are next in action when they host Indiana on December 3 at Jadwin Gym in their first dual of the season. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Joe Dubuque was thrust into a whirlwind when he took the helm of the Princeton University wrestling program in mid-September.

With head coach Chris Ayes unexpectedly leaving Princeton to guide the Stanford program, longtime assistant Dubuque was promoted to guide the Tigers.

“The time was a little hectic when I got the job, three days later we had our largest recruiting visit so that was a little stressful,” said Dubuque, speaking recently at the program’s media day. “It was doing some new things that I wasn’t in charge of before while also doing the things I was in charge of prior. The first two weeks were stressful. Now I feel like I have my legs under me.”

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Saving its Best for Last in a Difficult Campaign, PDS Boys’ Soccer Advanced to Non-Public B Semis

COMING THROUGH: Princeton Day School boys’ soccer player Penn von Zelowitz, right, goes after the ball in game this fall. Junior von Zelowitz starred as 10th-seeded PDS made an improbable run to the semis of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) South Jersey Non-Public B Tournament. Von Zelowitz scored the winning goal as the Panthers upset second-seeded Doane Academy 1-0 in overtime in the quarterfinal round. PDS went on to fall 4-0 at third-seeded St. Rose in a semifinal contest to finish the season at 3-16-1. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Having gone winless as it headed into mid-October and not getting invited to the Mercer County Tournament due to its poor record, the Princeton Day School boys’ soccer team underwent some soul-searching as it looked ahead to the homestretch of the season.

“We had a pretty big meeting around the time when we found out we didn’t make MCTs for the second year in a row,” said PDS head coach Brian Thomsen. “We talked to the boys a lot, about what we can do moving forward to make sure it is a meaningful experience the last three or four weeks.”

The Panthers responded by topping Nottingham 2-1 on October 18 to get their only regular season win and then produced an unlikely run to the semis of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) South Jersey Non-Public B Tournament.

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Wilberforce Cross Country Teams Made Strides, As Brox Won Non-Public Boys, Girls’ Team Took 2nd

SPECIAL FORCE: Members of the Wilberforce School boys’ cross country team show off the medals they earned at the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Non-Public B championship meet earlier this month. The Wolverines took third in the team standings at the meet, led by senior Caleb Brox who placed first individually. Freshman Micah Brox placed seventh, while freshman Elias Edwards came in eighth. Pictured, from left, are Philip Schidlovsky, Henry Jepson, Elias Edwards, John David, Caleb Brox, Micah Brox, and Andy Pratt. (Photo provided courtesy of Lois Szeliga)

By Bill Alden

As the Wilberforce School cross country runners competed in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Non-Public B championship meet earlier this month, Caleb Brox achieved a historic double for the Wolverine boys while the girls’ squad fell agonizingly short of making history of their own.

Senior Brox pulled away from the pack to place first individually in the Non-Public B boys’ race, making it two titles this fall as he had previously placed first in the Mercer County championship meet in mid-October.

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November 15, 2023

Hiltunen Gets Lone Tally, Goalie McCamey Posts Shutout As PU Women’s Soccer Tops Michigan in NCAA Opener

TUNED IN: Princeton University women’s soccer player Lexi Hiltunen, right, goes after the ball in a game earlier this season. Last Friday night, senior forward Hiltunen scored the lone goal as Princeton defeated Michigan in the first round of the NCAA tournament. The Tigers, now 10-5-3, will play at Texas Tech (16-1-4) on November 17 in a second round contest. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Justin Feil

Lexi Hiltunen and Tyler McCamey could feel the pressure rising at opposite ends of the Roberts Stadium pitch.

The Princeton University women’s soccer team’s NCAA tournament first round game Friday against visiting Michigan remained scoreless through the first half and as the clock ticked toward the final 15 minutes of regulation. The Tigers had chances, twice hitting the cross bar, but hadn’t been able to score. more

Senior QB Stenstrom Undergoes Emotional Roller-Coaster As PU Football Falls to Yale in OT, Ending Ivy Title Hopes

LAST FLING: Princeton University quarterback Blake Stenstrom fires a pass last Saturday as Princeton hosted Yale. Playing in his final home game as a Tiger, senior Stenstrom connected on 20-of-36 passes for 240 yards and one touchdown in a losing cause as Princeton fell 36-28 to the Bulldogs in double overtime to get knocked out of the Ivy League title race. The Tigers, now 4-5 overall and 3-3 Ivy, play at Penn (6-3, 3-3 Ivy) on November 18 in their season finale. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Blake Stenstrom experienced an emotional roller-coaster as the Princeton University football team hosted Yale last Saturday in his last home game as a Tiger.

The day started with the annual Senior Day ceremony as Stenstrom and his classmate were introduced one by one before the game, escorted by their families onto the field.

“It is really special to play at Princeton, it has been a fantastic experience,” said quarterback Stenstrom, who transferred to Princeton from Colorado. “I think the culture of the team is what stands out, and just the guys who are on it. I am super honored to have been part of Princeton football for three year. I am going to miss the guys and the relationships I have built with them. You can’t put into words just how amazing my experience has been. It has been a blessing and I will miss it for sure.” more

With Battle-Tested Veterans Displaying Toughness, Tiger Men’s Basketball Produces Superb 2-0 Start

STRONG START: Princeton University men’s basketball player Caden Pierce dribbles upcourt in a recent practice session. Last Friday, sophomore forward Pierce scored a career-high 26 points and had 15 rebounds to help Princeton defeat Hofstra 74-67. He was later named the Ivy League Player of the Week. The Tigers, now 2-0, play at Duquesne on November 15 and at Monmouth on November 18. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

While the Princeton University men’s basketball program lost some key players to graduation from the squad that made a run to the NCAA Sweet 16 last March, the 2023-24 team appears to retained one of the chief qualities that led to that success.

Opening the season on November 6 by topping Rutgers 68-61 in the Jersey Jam at the CURE Insurance Arena in Trenton, the Tigers displayed the resilience that made them so hard to beat last season down the stretch last winter. more