BACK ON TRACK: Princeton University women’s basketball player Julia Cunningham goes up for a shot in recent action. Last Saturday, senior star Cunningham scored 13 points and passed for a season-high six assists as Princeton defeated Cornell 70-48, snapping a two-game losing streak in Ivy League play. The Tigers, now 9-5 overall and 1-2 Ivy, host Hartford on January 12, Brown on January 14, and Penn on January 16. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Julia Cunningham found herself in an unusual situation when the Princeton University women’s basketball team hosted Cornell last Saturday evening.

After having starred as Princeton went on a 42-game Ivy League winning streak starting in 2019, senior guard Cunningham hit the court against the visiting Big Red looking to help the Tigers snap a two-game losing skid in league play in the wake of the squad falling to Columbia 58-55 in overtime last Friday on the heels of a 67-59 loss to Harvard a week earlier.

“Starting 0-2 in the Ivy League is not ideal for us; it was like changing our mindset and coming back really hungry with a little bit of chip on our shoulder,” said Cunningham. “I think that is kind of how we like to play. We were feeling that pit in our stomach a little bit and looking to bounce back from the Friday night game.”

Cunningham and her teammates realized that they couldn’t rest on the laurels of having won four straight Ivy League titles. more

LOCKED IN: Princeton High boys’ hockey player Ethan Garlock, left, goes after the puck in recent action. Senior forward and assistant captain Garlock tallied two goals, including the game-winner, and added an assist as PHS defeated Brick 6-5 on December 20 at Hobey Baker Rink as it held its annual Senior Night celebration. The Tigers, now 3-1, are next in action when they face Ocean Township on January 2 at the Mercer County Skating Center. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

With the Princeton High boys’ hockey team hosting Brick at Hobey Baker Rink last week for its annual Senior Night celebration, Ethan Garlock brought some extra fire to the ice.

“It was a lot of fun, when your family shows out, you have a lot more to play for, a lot more to fight for,” said PHS senior forward and assistant captain Garlock, who was joined by his parents, grandparents, older sister Genna, older brother Max, a former Tiger hockey standout, and younger brother Ryan, a current freshman forward for the Tigers, as members of the Class of 2023 and their families were honored on the ice after the second period of the December 20 contest.

“It made it a lot easier for me and the other seniors to work our hardest and eventually put the puck in the net,” continued Garlock. “It makes it feel a lot nicer especially to be on Baker Rink. It makes it feel really special, we know we only get a couple of ice slots on this rink so we really have to make it count.”

The Tigers had quite a fight with Brick, trailing 1-0, 2-3 and 3-2 before taking a 4-3 lead late in the second period. The contest was then knotted at 4-4 and 5-5 in the third before Garlock scored the winning goal with a minute left in regulation to give PHS a hard-earned 6-5 triumph. more

BLACK AND BLUE: Princeton University men’s basketball player Matt Allocco, center, gets sandwiched by a pair of defenders in recent action. Last Saturday against Delaware, junior star Allocco scored 11 points, including a pair of three-pointers down the stretch, but it wasn’t enough as a late Princeton rally fell short in a 76-69 loss to the Blue Hens. The Tigers, now 8-4, host Division III Kean University on December 23. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Coming off a tough 70-64 defeat to Iona earlier in the week, the Princeton University men’s basketball team was looking to get back on the winning track as it hosted Delaware on Saturday.

Instead, Princeton dug an early hole, trailing the Blue Hens 37-25 at halftime. Things got worse for the Tigers as they found themselves behind 58-43 with 9:46 left in regulation.

“I thought they dictated every single part of the game, we were on our heels throughout the entire game,” said Princeton head coach Mitch Henderson.

Mounting a furious rally, the Tigers had Delaware on its heels, going on a 25-11 run to narrow the gap to 69-68 with 53 seconds remaining in the game as the Jadwin Gym crowd was roaring.

“It just meant more, we get down, that is our panic time,” said Tiger junior guard and co-captain Matt Allocco, reflecting on the Princeton comeback.

Allocco hit a fall away three-pointer from the corner that got the Tigers to within one. more

LEANING IN: Princeton University men’s basketball player Xaivian Lee curls around a foe in recent action. Last Saturday, freshman guard Lee tallied a career-high 12 points with four rebounds, two steals, and an assist in 25 minutes off the bench to help Princeton rout Monmouth 91-54. The Tigers, who improved to 8-2 with the win as they posted their eight straight win, were slated to face Iona on December 13 and then host Delaware on December 16. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Xaivian Lee may weigh around 160 pounds soaking wet, but he is starting to make a big impact for the Princeton University men’s basketball team.

Last Saturday night, wiry 6’3 freshman guard Lee tallied a career-high 12 points with four rebounds, two steals, and an assist in 25 minutes off the bench to help Princeton rout Monmouth 91-54 before 1,372 at Jadwin Gym as it improved to 8-2 and posted its eighth straight victory.

“I feel like in the past couple of practices, I have really been focused on trying to take care of the ball and not turn it over,” said Lee, a native of Toronto, Canada, who had no turnovers against the Hawks. “I have been trying to still make plays and play fearless while still taking care of that. I feel that has been good, getting to the rim and finding my teammates. I feel like building my confidence, I did really good tonight with that, especially in the second half.”

Lee’s play has benefited from coaching he has been getting at the college level.

“I feel like being here and being coached everyday has forced me to get a lot better, especially defensively,” said Lee. “I have been trying to make the biggest improvements like locking into the scouts. Compared to high school, every game has a different scout, different personnel, and it is locking into that. I feel that has been my biggest improvement.” more

STANDING TALL: Princeton University women’s basketball player Ellie Mitchell, right, pressures a foe in recent action. Last Sunday, junior forward Mitchell tallied 10 points with nine rebounds and five assists to help Princeton defeat Delaware 62-47. The Tigers, now 6-3, play at Rutgers on December 15. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Last Thursday night, Ellie Mitchell helped the Princeton University women’s basketball team put a scare into perennial national power Connecticut.

Playing at UConn’s Gampel Pavilion before a crowd of 8,731, Princeton forced 27 turnovers and went on a late 21-8 run to cut the Huskies’ lead to 66-64 before succumbing 69-64.

“That was super cool; we gave them a great game, obviously it didn’t end up the way we wanted but we had it down the wire,” said junior forward Mitchell, who had three points, nine rebounds, four steals, and two assists in the defeat. “I think they were nervous, we came up with some great plays. We played a great game. We didn’t shoot super well but we fought the entire time. It was an incredible atmosphere. Obviously we wanted to win, but we are proud of the effort. We almost had them.”

Back at home in Jadwin Gym three days later to host Delaware, Princeton had it going as it topped the Blue Hens 62-47, improving to 6-3.

“We wanted to redeem ourselves, losing always stinks, no matter who you are playing,” said Mitchell, a 6’1 native of Chevy Chase, Md.  more

ON A ROLL: Princeton University men’s hockey player Pito Walton goes after the puck in recent action. Last Saturday, senior defenseman and team captain Walton picked up three assists to help Princeton edge RPI 6-5. Walton was later named as the ECAC Hockey Defender of the Week for his performance over the weekend which also included a strong effort on Friday as the Tigers blanked Union 2-0. Princeton, now 6-7 overall and 5-6 ECACH, is on break until it plays a two-game set at Colorado College on December 30 and 31. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

In losing six of its eight first games this season, the Princeton University men’s hockey team played its foes tight but had trouble getting over the hump in close games.

While the defeats stung, Princeton head coach Ron Fogarty wasn’t discouraged by the early stumbles.

“I was happy with where our team was moving towards in our style of play,” said Fogarty. “The loss against Colgate in overtime (3-2 on November 5) was tough but we were playing well. We just didn’t get the results.”

But starting with a 5-1 win over No. 20 RIT on November 26, Princeton has been getting the results since Thanksgiving. Putting together its best weekend of the season, Princeton defeated Union 2-0 last Friday and then edged RPI 6-5 a night later.

“It is very difficult to sweep in our conference, no matter who you are,” said Fogarty. more

FRESH APPROACH: Princeton University men’s basketball player Jack Scott puts up a layup in recent action. Last Wednesday, freshman guard and former Hun School standout Scott tallied a team-high 13 points with nine rebounds and four assists in 23 minutes off the bench as Princeton routed Division III Cairn 92-58. The Tigers, who topped Drexel 83-63 last Saturday to improve to 6-2, host Monmouth on December 10 before facing Iona on December 13 at Kean University. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Mitch Henderson sensed that his crew of freshmen could make a big impact this winter as they started their careers for the Princeton University men’s basketball team.

“It is a very competitive young group, very competitive,” said Princeton head coach Henderson. “That is really good for everybody because it just raises the level.”

Last Wednesday, two of those prized newcomers, Jack Scott and Caden Pierce, starred as Princeton routed Division III Cairn 92-58. Guard Scott tallied a career-high and team-high 13 points with nine rebounds and four assists in 23 minutes off the bench while starting forward Pierce contributed a career-high nine points, four rebounds, and a blocked shot.

Scott, for his part, was ready to compete when he got the call against Cairn.

“I got a chance to go in there so whenever my name is called, I just try to go as hard as I can and make the most out of the opportunity,” said Scott, a 6’6, 197-pound resident of Denver, Colo. “That is what I tried to do, I thought we played really well.” more

JACOBS LADDER: Princeton University men’s hockey player David Jacobs goes after the puck in a game earlier this season. Last Saturday, freshman forward Jacobs tallied a goal and an assist in a losing cause as a late Princeton rally fell short in a 5-4 loss to St. Lawrence. The Tigers, now 4-7 overall and 3-6 ECAC Hockey, host Union on December 9 and RPI on December 10. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

It took a while for David Jacobs to start producing this winter in his freshman season on the Princeton University men’s hockey team.

Though the first eight games of his college career, Jacobs had just one assist. But catching fire after Thanksgiving, he has tallied two goals and two assists in his last three appearances.

“I think it is just growing every day and trying to get more and more comfortable out there,” said Jacobs, a 5’10, 180-pound native of Needham, Mass. “I have great teammates so it is great playing with them. We work hard every practice and I am just trying to get better every day.”

Last Saturday, Jacobs displayed his growth, getting a goal and an assist in a losing cause as a late Princeton rally fell short in a 5-4 loss to St. Lawrence.

The Tigers jumped out to a 1-0 lead on a goal by Nick Seitz then fell behind 2-1 early in the second period. Jacobs evened up the game at 2-2, blasting a one-timer into the back of the net with 11:08 left in the second period. The Saints responded with three unanswered goals to lead 5-2 midway through the third period. After St. Lawrence got hit with a five-minute major penalty, the Tigers scored two goals to narrow the gap to 5-4 but couldn’t get any closer as they moved to 4-7 overall and 3-6 ECAC Hockey. more

WINNING THE DAY: Princeton University wrestler Quincy Monday, top, controls a foe in a match last season. Senior star Monday, who advanced to the NCAA final last March at 157 pounds, is primed for a big final campaign with the Tigers. Last Sunday, Monday, ranked No. 1 nationally at 157, posted a 5-0 win over No. 15 Chase Saldate of Michigan State in the Garden State Grapple at the Prudential Center in Newark. The Tigers, who fell 38-3 to Wisconsin and 21-15 to Michigan State in the event, to move to 0-3, host Rutgers on December 11. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

In his debut season for the Princeton University wrestling team in 2018-19, Quincy Monday qualified for the NCAA championships at 157 pounds but the trip to Pittsburgh turned out to be a downer.

With his inexperience showing, Monday lost all of his matches. Looking for redemption, Monday made the NCAAs as a sophomore and was seeded fifth but didn’t get to compete as the event was canceled as a result of the global pandemic. In 2021, Monday had no chance to make the NCAAs as the Ivy League scrapped its winter season due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns.

Those disappointments fueled Monday’s motivation as he competed last winter.

“To have that get canceled and not get that chance and get a win and do my thing at nationals set a fire under me for sure,” said Monday, who won his first Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) title on the way to qualifying for the NCAA championships

Once in Detroit for the NCAAs, a fired-up Monday got some redemption, making it to the final where he fell 9-2 to Northwestern’s Ryan Deakin.

“It was just really exciting, I was grateful to be there and be able to be at nationals and get rolling,” said Monday, who was joined in the finals by classmate Patrick Glory, who made it at 125, giving Princeton its first two NCAA finalists since 2002. “We had a lot of energy and momentum going into it, being able to have that opportunity to be able to go back and compete.” more

DOWN LOW: Princeton High boys’ hockey player Cooper Zullo skates around a goalie in action last season. Senior star forward and captain Zullo is primed for a big final campaign. PHS opens its season by facing Notre Dame on December 12 at the Mercer County Park rink. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Rik Johnson underwent a trial by fire last winter when he joined the Princeton High boys’ hockey program as an assistant coach.

“It was exciting, at first I was a little apprehensive,” said Johnson, who had played for the Monmouth University club hockey team and in men’s leagues but had never coached before. “I observed and I was able to learn a lot different ways to approach things.”

This season, Johnson will be getting the chance to apply those lessons as he is taking the helm of the PHS program, succeeding head coach Dave Hansen.

“There is a learning curve for sure, learning everything you need to know as the head coach,” said Johnson. “My personal philosophy is for the players to try not to make the same mistake twice. Three, four practices in now, we are trying to scratch those off the list. I am trying different things out, seeing what works.”

The PHS players are responding well to their new leader.

“Brian (PHS Athletic Director Brain Dzbenski) said he was looking for somebody from a head  coaching perspective that was going to be around so there was continuity for the kids,” said Johnson, who is taking over a program that went 16-5-3 last winter and advanced to the Mercer County Tournament final. “It is positive, they are great kids, they are helpful. It is great roster, we have got 15 returning players.”

Johnson is expecting a great senior year from star forward and captain Cooper Zullo (39 goals, 32 assists in 2021-22).

“Cooper is doing his thing, he is doing a great job as a leader,” said Johnson. “He is going to be our captain again this year. He is great with ushering in the new kids and leading the group. I think last year was a little bit of a shock to him when he was named captain; that caught him off guard, but he grew into it. He is so good. The one thing I added last year in working with him was hit the net. He has improved on that.” more

ALL HANDS ON DECK: Princeton University men’s water polo head coach Dustin Litvak (kneeling) makes a point to his players earlier this fall. Last Sunday, No. 8, Princeton defeated No. 18 St. Francis Brooklyn 13-8 in the Northeast Water Polo Conference (NWPC) championship game. The Tigers, now 26-5, will host Fordham on November 26 in the NCAA Opening Round Game 1. The victor will then face Southern California on December 1 in Berkeley, Calif., in the NCAA Opening Round Game 2. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Justin Feil

The Princeton University men’s water polo team pulled off a historic repeat, but there are bigger goals ahead.

Last Sunday, No. 8 Princeton captured the Northeast Water Polo Conference (NWPC) championship with a 13-8 win over No. 18 St. Francis Brooklyn in Providence, R.I. to repeat as conference winners for the first time in program history. The Tigers will open the NCAA tournament play by hosting Fordham in Opening Round Game 1 on Saturday at DeNunzio Pool. The winner will play Southern California on December 1 in Berkeley, Calif., in the NCAA Opening Round Game 2.

The trip to the NCAAs gives the Tigers, now 26-5, a chance to add to their 12-game winning streak that includes a win over once-No. 1 Stanford.

“The biggest thing for us is going to be staying healthy and staying hungry and understanding we have a great opportunity not just to win the conference this year but do something that’s never been done before and compete for a national championship,” said Princeton head coach Dustin Litvak. “That’s really motivating the guys.”

Princeton started the weekend with a 12-7 NWPC semifinal win over host Brown on Saturday followed by the strong performance in the title game against St. Francis.

In the final, Princeton jumped out to a 3-0 first quarter lead on goals by Ryan Neapole, Roko Pozaric and Yurian Quinones. Neapole scored another goal to start the second quarter, and the Tigers used strong goalkeeping from Antonio Knez to sustain their lead while getting goals any time St. Francis started to whittle away at Princeton’s advantage. Vladan Mitrovic, Joan Coloma, George Caras, and Keller Maloney also scored in a balanced attack.

“We knew if we played to our ability, we’d have a really good shot,” said Litvak. “I think we have a really deep team this year and that enabled us to rotate a lot of players in and out of games. And we only had to play two games this weekend instead of some teams having to play three. We’re just a little deeper than St. Francis. I think that paid off in the end. We expected to play well. We’re really happy for the guys that they were able to get it done and keep playing.” more

HEADING HOME: Princeton University men’s basketball player Tosan Evbuomwan drives to the basket in recent action. Last Saturday, senior star Evbuomwan tallied 11 points with six rebounds and five assists to help Princeton defeat Marist 62-55. Evbuomwan, a native of Newcastle, England, is heading home this week as the Tigers, now 2-2, will be competing in the London Basketball Classic. The Tigers will face Army on November 24 in the opener of the tournament with the victor advancing to the final against either Northeastern or Manhattan on November 26. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

While millions of Americans will be headed home for the Thanksgiving holiday this week, the Princeton University men’s basketball team is jetting across the Atlantic Ocean to play in the London Basketball Classic.

After falling to Hofstra (83-77 on November 7) and Navy (74-73 on November 11) to start the season, Princeton will be bringing a two-game winning streak into its battle of Britain, having topped UMBC and then topping Marist 62-55 last Saturday.

Tiger head coach Mitch Henderson likes where his team is at as it goes across the pond to an event which will see it face Army on November 24 in the opener with the victor advancing to the final against either Northeastern or Manhattan on November 26.

“We played really well, we needed a game where we came unstuck on making some shots,” said Henderson, referring to the win over UMBC which saw Princeton shoot 57.8 percent from the floor (37-64) and 63.2 percent from the three-point line (12-19). “We guarded well, that is where we made the difference. We did the same thing on Saturday, we were able to guard. We didn’t play great on Saturday, that is a tough one on the road. John Dunne is a terrific coach. Those are really good wins.”

Princeton sorely needed those wins after the setbacks to Hofstra and Navy. more

NO QUIT: Princeton University men’s hockey player Noah de la Durantaye brings the puck up the ice in recent action. Sophomore defensemen de la Durantaye scored the lone goal for Princeton as it fell 4-1 to No. 4 Quinnipiac last Friday night. A day later, the Tigers lost 4-1 in a rematch with the Bobcats to move to 2-5 overall and 2-5 ECAC Hockey. The Tigers will play a two-game set at RIT this weekend with contests slated for November 25 and 26. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden 

After losing its first three games of the season, the Princeton University men’s hockey team got on the winning track with a pair of shutout wins over Yale and Brown.

“The first couple of weeks at Harvard and home with Cornell and Colgate, I was trying to find out what the identity was of our players and now I know their identity,” said Princeton head coach Ron Fogarty, whose team blanked Yale 3-0 on November 11 and edged Brown 1-0 a day later. “Now it is just building upon it and getting better. We are tough to play against, not just gritty. Our turnover ratio for full possession turnovers in the defensive zone has dramatically decreased where we are not giving second chances. That was a primary focus coming into the season, being quicker on our outlets and getting out of our zone.”

Princeton displayed its toughness against last Friday evening as it hosted No. 4 Quinnipiac, falling 4-1 to the high-powered Bobcats despite outshooting them 23-18.

“It was just clog the neutral zone, finish checks, and just be back on top of the third guy, they are a heavily skilled team,” said Fogarty, who got a third period goal from sophomore defenseman Noah de la Durantaye in the defeat. “I thought we did a really good job of that. They haven’t been held to 18 shots all year or five in one period. I thought we played well tonight.”

Princeton fought hard to generate shots against Quinnipiac but didn’t get the bounces. more

LOOKING FORWARD: Princeton University women’s basketball player Julia Cunningham looks to pass the ball in a game last season. Senior star Cunningham figures to be a key performer for Princeton his season. The Tigers tip off their 2022-23 campaign by hosting Temple on November 7. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Justin Feil

Julia Cunningham is accustomed to big expectations with the Princeton University women’s basketball team.

The stakes feel even higher for the senior and her Tiger teammates, but maybe it’s only from the outside after they became the first Ivy League team to garner an AP preseason top-25 ranking. Last month, Princeton was selected as No. 24 after returning all but one starter from last year’s 25-5 team that reached the NCAA tournament second round. They face a loaded non-conference schedule that begins with them hosting Temple on November 7.

“Looking at the rankings is great, and we’re making history in that regard, but I think we take that in and appreciate it for the time being, but then we realize it puts a big target on our back going into non-conference play,” said star guard Cunningham, a 5’11 native of Watchung. “It means a lot for teams to beat a Top 25 team. Looking at it from that perspective, I think it also makes us pretty hungry and competitive.”

In the first week of the season, they will host Temple and then Villanova on November 11. They are focusing on a strong start and trying not to look ahead to marquee matchups at Texas on November 27 and at UConn on December 8. Seven of the non-conference games will send Princeton on the road, starting with a test at Seton Hall on November 14.

“It’s another really tough one but that’s what we want to do,” said Princeton coach Carla Berube, who guided the Tigers to a 25-5 overall record and 14-0 Ivy League last winter on the way to winning the Ivy postseason tournament and upsetting Kentucky in the first round of the NCAA tournament before falling to Indiana in the next round.

“We want to play against the best that we can and really see where we’re at. Through tough games, it shows where your weaknesses are so we can be where we want to be come March. Just starting with Temple and Villanova and Seton Hall, they’re all really strong teams and programs so we’re going to be tested early on. That’s what we want. We want to be battle-tested so we’re ready for the Ivy League and beyond. We’re looking forward to it. I’m sure people are looking at UConn and Texas but we’re looking at Temple and that’s all that matters.” more

OH YES: Princeton University women’s hockey player Emerson O’Leary (No. 10) battles a Colgate player for the puck last Friday night in the season opener for Princeton. The Tigers fell 5-1 to No. 4 Colgate. A night later, freshman forward O’Leary tallied her first career goal as No. 10 Princeton lost 3-1 to Cornell. In upcoming action, the Tigers play at Brown on November 4 and at Yale on November 5. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

The hockey gods didn’t smile on the Princeton University women’s hockey team as it hosted Colgate and Cornell last weekend to start its 2022-23 campaign.

On Friday, 10th-ranked Princeton outshot No. 4 Colgate 28-26 only to fall 5-1 as the Raiders scored three unanswered goals in the third period. A night later, the Tigers built a 34-28 edge in shots against No. 8 Cornell but ended up losing 3-1.

“On both nights we outshot and out chanced opponents that are ranked higher than us and the puck did not bounce the way we needed it to bounce,” said Princeton head coach Cara Morey. “That is the difference in the scores.”

While Morey was disappointed by the results in the two games, she is optimistic going forward.

“The message to the team was be patient and keep buying in,” added Morey. “I thought we outplayed both teams. The offense is going to click. A lot of those scoring chances that didn’t go in the net are going to start going in the net. That will be the difference.”

Princeton’s two star forwards, junior Sarah Fillier and senior Maggie Connors, generated a lot of the shots over the weekend but only had a goal by Fillier, a Canadian Olympian and gold medal winner, on Friday to show for their efforts.

“It is going to happen,” said Morey. “Sarah had a breakaway both days so I am sure that for her, she is probably thinking about those a lot. Those are going to go in. It is just buying in and knowing that we have got to play with the long game.”

Freshman Emerson O’Leary showed some game on Saturday, scoring her first career goal on a breakaway as Princeton made it a 1-1 game in the second period. more