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

ON THE ATTACK: Princeton University men’s lacrosse player Nate Kabiri working around the crease in recent action. Last Saturday, sophomore attacker Kabiri tallied two goals and two assists as then-No. 6 Princeton defeated No. 12 Harvard 13-11. The Tigers, now 5-2 overall and 1-1 Ivy League and ranked fourth nationally, play at No. 18 Dartmouth (7-1 overall, 1-0 Ivy) on March 29. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

With the Princeton University men’s lacrosse team coming off a disappointing 15-10 loss to Cornell, Nate Kabiri and his teammates were determined to get back on the winning track as they hosted Harvard last Saturday.

“We knew we hadn’t reached our limit at all yet, we just tried to put a good week in,” said sophomore attackman Kabiri. more

MARCHING ON: Princeton University women’s basketball player Ashley Chea, center, looks to get past two defenders in a game earlier this season. Last Friday, sophomore guard Chea scored 15 points in a losing cause as the third-seeded Tigers fell 70-67 to third-seeded Harvard in the semifinals of the Ivy Madness postseason tournament in Providence, R.I. The Tigers, who moved to 21-7 with the defeat, later earned an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament where they are seeded 11th and will play fellow 11-seed Iowa State in a First Four game on March 19 at Notre Dame. The victor will then face sixth-seeded Michigan in a first round contest on March 21. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

It is an oft-stated sports adage that it is hard to beat the same team three times in a single season.

Last Friday, the Princeton University women’s basketball team found out the hard way that there is some truth to that saying. After having defeated Harvard twice in regular season action, the third-seeded Tigers lost 70-67 to the third-seeded Crimson in the semifinals of the Ivy Madness postseason tournament in Providence, R.I. more

READY FOR THE MADNESS: Princeton University men’s basketball player Blake Peters dribbles upcourt in a game earlier this season. Last Saturday, senior guard Peters scored a career-high 25 points to help Princeton defeat Penn 95-71 and clinch the final spot in the upcoming Ivy Madness postseason tournament. The Tigers, now 19-10 overall and 8-6 Ivy, are seeded fourth in Ivy Madness and will face top-seeded Yale (20-7 overall, 13-1 Ivy) in a semifinal contest on March 15 in Providence, R.I. The victor will advance to the final on March 16 to play for the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

It was Senior Day for Blake Peters as the Princeton University men’s basketball team hosted Penn last Saturday afternoon and he wanted to make sure it wasn’t his last game in a Princeton uniform.

With a win over the rival Quakers clinching the final spot in the upcoming Ivy Madness postseason tournament without the need for results in other games to go their way, Peters and the Tigers were determined to take care of business. more

By Bill Alden

As the Princeton University men’s hockey team played at Brown last Friday in an ECAC Hockey playoff single-elimination first round contest, the Tigers kept firing away to the final seconds literally.

Trailing eighth-seeded Brown 3-1 in the waning moments of the contest, ninth-seeded Princeton got a goal from Kevin Anderson with 4.1 seconds left in regulation to make it a 3-2 game. Time ran out on the Tigers as they couldn’t get off another shot and their season came to an end.

“The guys just never quit,” said Princeton head coach Ben Syer, whose team ended the winter with a 12-15-3 record. “I think that is a trademark of this group. You had guys step up in different ways. David Jacobs was playing on one leg this weekend. There was no quit and that is something our entire staff is extremely proud of about this particular group.” more

SEVEN UP: Princeton University women’s lacrosse player Haven Dora, left, looks to unload the ball against Hofstra last Saturday. Junior attacker Dora dished out a program-record seven assists for a second straight game as the Tigers rolled to a 20-4 win over the Pride. No. 13 Princeton, now 3-1, hosts Penn State on March 5 and Harvard on March 8 in its Ivy League opener. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Haven Dora wears No. 7 for the Princeton University women’s lacrosse team and last week that number took on an added significance for the junior attacker.

On Wednesday, Dora tallied a program single-game record seven assists to help Princeton edge Delaware 15-14. Three days later, Dora matched that feat, getting seven assists as the Tigers rolled to a 20-4 victory over Hofstra in improving to 3-1.

“I am really proud of that,” said Dora, reflecting on the record.“Every single game, I am trying to come out with a team win and if that is what it takes, I am going to keep assisting my teammate. Hopefully at some point. I can break it and get eight. I am looking forward to the rest of the season.” more

MAC ATTACK: Princeton University women’s hockey player Mackenzie Alexander fires a shot in a game earlier this season. Last Friday, freshman forward Alexander tallied one goal and two assists to help seventh-seeded Princeton defeat 10th-seeded RPI 3-2 in an ECAC Hockey playoff single-elimination opening round contest. The Tigers, who improved to 18-10-2 overall, will now play at second-seeded Colgate in a best-of-three quarterfinal series starting in February 28. (Photo by Steven Wojtowicz)

By Bill Alden

It was the first ECAC Hockey playoff game for Mackenzie Alexander and she thrived in the pressure-packed atmosphere as the Princeton University women’s hockey team hosted RPI last Friday at Hobey Baker Rink in a single-elimination opening round contest.

“It was really fun, it was always high energy,” said Princeton freshman forward Alexander. “You could never take your foot off the gas, it was really exciting and really fun.”

Looking to bounce back from a 4-3 loss to RPI a week earlier in the regular season finale, the seventh-seeded Tigers brought an aggressive approach into the playoff clash against the 10th-seeded Engineers. more

TALL ORDER: Princeton University women’s basketball player Fadima Tall looks to pass the ball in a game earlier this season. Last Saturday, sophomore guard/forward Tall scored a team-high 17 points as Princeton fell 64-60 to visiting Columbia in an Ivy League first place showdown. The Tigers, now 18-6 overall and 9-2 Ivy League, play at Harvard on February 28 and at Dartmouth on March 1. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Princeton University women’s basketball player Fadima Tall drew inspiration from some of the program’s former standouts as the Tigers hosted Columbia last Saturday evening in an Ivy League first place showdown.

“I think just having the people here who made this team was very encouraging,” said sophomore guard/forward Tall, referring to former players who were on hand as the University held its annual Alumni Day celebration. “They were at our shootaround and gave us words of encouragement. Then you have Ellie Mitchell and Julia Cunningham talking to me on the sidelines as I am in-bounding the ball. It is always nice to have.” more

JACKING IT UP: Princeton University men’s basketball player Jackson Hicke lofts a jumper in a game earlier this season. Last Saturday, sophomore guard Hicke scored 10 points and grabbed six rebounds in a losing cause as Princeton fell 76-61 to Dartmouth. The Tigers, now 17-9 overall and 6-5 Ivy League, play at Cornell on February 28 and at Columbia on March 1. (Photo by Steven Wojtowicz)

By Bill Alden

Earlier this winter, the Princeton University men’s basketball team displayed a propensity for overcoming double-digit deficits to earn dramatic victories.

In games against Iona, Akron, and Columbia, the Tigers trailed by 16 points, 15 points, and 20 points, respectively, before roaring back for improbable wins. more

SEEING RED: Princeton University men’s lacrosse player Coulter Mackesy, right, looks to elude a Maryland defender last Saturday. Senior attacker Mackesy tallied three goals and an assist in the game but it wasn’t enough as then-No. 5 Princeton fell 13-9 to the second-ranked Maryland. The Tigers, now 1-1 and ranked eighth, play at No. 7 Duke (4-0) on February 28 and at No. 4 North Carolina (3-0) on March 2. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

In its five games against powerhouse Maryland in the previous three seasons, the Princeton University men’s lacrosse team has gone 0-5, never leading at any point in those contests and getting outscored by a combined 19-6 in the first quarter.

As fifth-ranked Princeton hosted No. 2 Maryland last Saturday at Class of 1952 Stadium, the Tigers were determined to flip the script in the high noon showdown with the Terps. more

SENIOR MOMENT: Princeton University men’s hockey player Noah de la Durantaye celebrates after scoring a goal against Brown last Friday night. Despite senior defenseman and team captain de la Durantaye’s heroics, Princeton fell 3-2 in overtime to the Bears. On Saturday as the program hosted Yale and held its annual Senior Night celebration in its last regular season game at Hobey Baker Rink, de la Durantaye scored on his last shot in the building, converting in a shootout to help the Tigers secure an extra point after tying Yale 2-2 through regulation and overtime. The Tigers, now 10-14-3 overall and 5-12-3 ECAC Hockey, play at St. Lawrence on February 28 and at Clarkson on March 1 to wrap up regular season action. (Photo by Shelley Szwast/Princeton Athletics)

By Bill Alden

While it has been a rocky ride at times for Noah de la Durantaye and his fellow seniors on the Princeton University men’s hockey team, there was a sense of appreciation for the experience as they played in their final games at Hobey Baker Rink last weekend.

“It is emotional for sure, I got a little sentimental thinking about it this week,” said senior defenseman and team captain de la Durantaye whose class brought a 41-69-8 career record into the weekend and endured a head coaching change along the way.  more

STICKING WITH IT: Princeton University women’s hockey goalie Jen Olnowich sticks aside a shot in recent action. Last Friday, senior Olnowich made 22 saves to help Princeton defeat Union 2-1 in overtime. The Tigers, who lost 4-3 to RPI on Saturday in moving to 17-10-2 overall and 11-9-2 ECAC Hockey, are next in action when they compete in the ECACH Women’s Hockey Championship. Princeton is seeded seventh and will host 10th-seeded RPI in a single-elimination opening round contest on February 21. (Photo by Steven Wojtowicz)

By Bill Alden

Princeton University women’s hockey goalie Jen Olnowich was wearing a white sweater adorned with red hearts to celebrate Valentine’s Day as she came to Hobey Baker Rink last Friday evening.

Olnowich’s attire was also appropriate as she and her fellow seniors were being shown affection over the weekend as the Tigers played their final regular season home games of the 2024-25 campaign. more

BURNING BRIGHT: Princeton University men’s lacrosse player Colin Burns heads to goal in a game last season. Sophomore attacker Burns, who tallied 26 goals and nine assists last spring, is poised to be even more productive this season. No. 5 Princeton starts its 2025 campaign by playing at No. 10 Penn State (2-0) on February 15. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

As the Princeton University men’s lacrosse team heads into its 2025 campaign, its senior group is looking to come full circle.

“It is a hungry group, it is a senior group that has lived their life the right way,” said Princeton head coach Matt Madalon. “They experienced the Final 4 early on as freshmen, and they have been fighting their tails off to get back there.” more

CAREER DAY: Princeton University women’s basketball player Ashley Chea dribbles upcourt in a game last year. Last Saturday, sophomore guard Chea scored a career-high 25 points as Princeton defeated Penn 74-60. Chea was later named the Ivy League Player of the Week. The Tigers, now 16-5 overall and 7-1 Ivy League, host Brown own February 14 and Yale on February 15. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

With the Princeton University women’s basketball team hosting Penn last Saturday afternoon and attracting a throng as it held its annual celebration of National Girls and Women in Sports Day, Ashley Chea drew special inspiration.

“It means everything to me, I was that girl once,” said Princeton sophomore guard Chea, reflecting on the event that resulted in a crowd of 2,631 at Jadwin Gym, including hundreds of young girls.
“I am just super incredibly grateful to be in the spot that I am and to be around incredible people. I hope that all of these girls see that. I hope that they know they can do that as well.” more

OH YES: Princeton University women’s hockey player Emerson O’Leary tracks down the puck in recent action. Last Friday, junior forward O’Leary tallied the game-winning goal and had two assists as Princeton defeated Dartmouth 3-2 in overtime. The Tigers, who defeated Harvard 2-0 last Saturday to improve to 16-8-1 overall and 10-7-1 ECAC Hockey, play at Clarkson on February 7 and at St. Lawrence on February 8. (Photo by Steven Wojtowicz)

By Bill Alden

Emerson O’Leary has emerged as a key playmaker for the Princeton University women’s hockey team.

Skating on a line with Issy Wunder and Mackenzie Alexander, junior forward O’Leary was second on the team in assists with 22 coming into last Friday’s game against Dartmouth. more

IT’S KK: Princeton University women’s hockey player Katherine Khramtsov goes after the puck last Friday night as the Tigers hosted Brown. Junior forward Khramtsov chipped in two assists as Princeton skated to a 2-2 tie with the Bears through regulation and overtime before the Bears won a shootout 1-0. The Tigers, who beat Yale 3-0 on Saturday to improve 14-8-1 overall and 8-7-1 ECAC Hockey, host Dartmouth on January 31 and Harvard on February 1. (Photo by Steven Wojtowicz)

By Bill Alden

While the Princeton University women’s hockey team was excited to play its first game at Hobey Baker Rink since December 10 when it hosted Brown last Friday evening, it was particularly meaningful for Katherine Khramtsov.

Having been sidelined from early November to mid-January due to a shoulder injury, junior forward Khramtsov was fired up to be back on home ice. more

STEPPING UP: Princeton University men’s basketball player Xaivian Lee flies in for a layup during a game earlier this season. Last Monday, junior guard Lee scored a game-clinching 3-pointer in the waning seconds as Princeton rallied from a 20-point deficit to edge Columbia 71-67. Two days earlier, Lee drained the game-winning 3-pointer in an 81-80 win over Dartmouth. The Tigers, now 14-4 overall and 3-0 Ivy League, host Cornell on January 25. (Photo by Steven Wojtowicz)

By Bill Alden

Xaivian Lee displayed a flair for the dramatic last weekend for the Princeton University men’s basketball team.

On Saturday, junior guard Lee drained a game-winning step back 3-pointer as Princeton edged Dartmouth 81-80.

Two days later against visiting Columbia, it was a case of déjà vu as Lee fired in a 3-pointer with 10 seconds left in regulation to put Princeton up 69-67 on the way to a 71-67 win, capping a furious comeback as the Tigers rallied from a 20-point deficit. more

SISTER ACT: Princeton University women’s basketball player Toby Nweke puts up a shot last Saturday against Dartmouth. Freshman guard Nweke scored a career-high 10 points to help Princeton defeat the Big Green 63-39. Nweke is following in the footsteps of her older sister, Chet ’24, who emerged as a key performer for the Tigers, helping Princeton to win three Ivy League titles. Princeton, which fell 58-50 at Columbia on Monday night to move to 12-5 overall and 3-1 Ivy League, plays at Cornell on January 25. (Photo by Shelley Szwast, provided courtesy of Princeton Athletics)

By Bill Alden

Having been first exposed to the Princeton University women’s basketball team as an 11-year-old, Toby Nweke has been dreaming for years about joining the program.

Nweke started attending games to watch her older sister, Chet ’24, who emerged as a key performer for the Tigers, helping Princeton to win three Ivy League titles. more

MILESTONE MOMENT: Princeton University men’s hockey player Brendan Wang controls the puck in a 2022 game. Last Friday, junior defenseman Wang scored his first career goal in a 6-2 loss to Cornell. The Tigers, who lost 6-4 to Colgate to move to 6-10-1 overall and 3-8-1 ECAC Hockey, host Bentley for a two-game set on January 25 and 26. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

For Brendan Wang, it was a moment that was nearly three years in the making.

Making his 57th appearance for the Princeton University men’s hockey team last Friday night as it hosted Cornell, junior defenseman Wang scored his first career goal as he converted on a power play in the third period. more