CHRISTIAN SOLDIER: Princeton University men’s hockey player Christian O’Neill controls the puck last weekend as Princeton hosted Colorado College for a two-game set. Sophomore forward O’Neill scored a goal in each game as the Tigers fell 7-2 on Friday and 2-1 in overtime a night later. Princeton, who moved to 1-8-3 with the defeats, was slated to host AIC on December 10 before going on holiday break. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

With the Princeton University men’s hockey team trailing Colorado College 1-0 in the third period last Saturday evening, Christian O’Neill and his teammates were determined to get the equalizer.

“We had a couple of opportunities that we thought should have gone in, he closed the door on us,” said Princeton sophomore forward O’Neill.

“We told ourselves that we have to keep going, keep getting pucks to the net, keep shooting and eventually it would fall in.”

O’Neill got one to fall, scoring with 31 seconds left in regulation to force overtime.

“It was a broken play, I thought they were going to get the clear there,” recalled O’Neill. more

RIGHT AT HOME: Princeton University women’s hockey player Kate Monihan fires the puck up the ice in recent action. Freshman defenseman Monihan, a former Lawrenceville School standout, has helped Princeton go 10-3 overall and 8-3 ECAC Hockey so far this season. Princeton heads to Las Vegas this weekend for a two-game set with Ohio State from December 14-15 in its last action before the holiday break. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Although Kate Monihan is only in her freshman season for the Princeton University women’s hockey team, she has already spent a lot of time around Hobey Baker Rink.

Growing up in nearby Moorestown and playing for the Lawrenceville School and the New Jersey Colonials club program, Monihan has plenty of memories surrounding the historic rink

“I remember skating out here for a club game against the Princeton Stars; it is so interesting coming back and seeing how much it has changed since I was that little mite,” said the 5’5 Monihan. more

BREAKING THROUGH: Princeton University men’s basketball player Richmond Aririguzoh fights to the hoop in recent action. Senior center Aririguzoh had 16 points and pulled down a career-high 18 rebounds in a 67-65 loss to Arizona State on November 26. Four days later, Aririguzoh contributed 15 points and seven rebounds to help Princeton defeat Bucknell 87-77 and earn its first win of the season. The Tigers, now 1-5, play at Drexel on December 4 before hosting Monmouth on December 10. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Richmond Aririguzoh was ready to throw his weight around as the Princeton University men’s basketball team hosted Arizona State last week.

“I know ASU is a physical team; of the five games we have played, they are the fourth team we have played that is very physical, said the 6’9, 230-pound center Aririguzoh who hails from Ewing.

“It has been trial by fire for me, playing against physical bigs. My mentality today was OK, I have to go get them.”

Aririguzoh got the ball a lot against the Sun Devils in the November 26 contest, tallying 16 points and pulling down a career-high 18 rebounds.

“It was just one of those things where I was trying to do everything I could to help my team win,” said Aririguzoh, reflecting on his performance.

Unfortunately, Princeton didn’t pull out a win against ASU, despite a dramatic last-minute rally that saw it overcome a 64-60 deficit on a three-pointer by sophomore Drew Friberg and a sweet bucket in the post by freshman Tosan Evbuomwan only to be foiled when Khalid Thomas nailed a three from the corner with five seconds left to give the Sun Devils a 67-65 win. more

FINAL HIT: Princeton University field hockey player Hannah Davey gets ready for a big hit in a game this season. Sophomore Davey had an assist to help Princeton defeat Virginia 2-1 in the NCAA semis on Friday. Two days later, Davey and the Tigers fell 6-1 in the NCAA final to undefeated and defending national champion North Carolina. Davey was later named to the NCAA Final Four All-Tournament Team along with teammates Julianna Tornetta and Emma Street. The Tigers ended the fall with a 16-5 record. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Something had to give when the Princeton University field hockey team faced North Carolina in the NCAA championship game last Sunday afternoon in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Ninth-ranked Princeton brought a 13-game winning streak into the contest while defending national champs UNC had posted 45 straight victories.

Continuing their sizzling play, the Tigers jumped out to a 1-0 lead over the Tar Heels 2:13 into the game.

“I thought we had a great game plan for them; we started off great, it doesn’t get much better to go up 1-0 a couple of minutes into the game,” said Princeton head coach Carla Tagliente, whose team started regular season play by falling 4-3 to UNC in early September. “I thought defensively we had a good plan to contain Erin Matson.” more

RUNNING WILD: Princeton University running back Collin Eaddy heads upfield in a game earlier this fall. Junior star Eaddy rushed for 172 yards to help Princeton defeat Penn 28-7 last Saturday at Franklin Field in Philadelphia to wrap up the season. The victory left Princeton at 8-2 overall and 5-2 Ivy League as it finished just behind Dartmouth (9-1 overall, 6-1 Ivy) and Yale (9-1 overall, 6-1 Ivy), who tied for league title. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

It was a raw, chilly afternoon last Saturday in Philadelphia as the Princeton University football team faced Penn at venerable Franklin Field in the season finale.

Notwithstanding temperatures hovering in the low 40s and a brisk breeze whipping through the ancient cement structure opened in 1895, Princeton ended the day with a warm feeling as it pulled away to a 28-7 win over the Quakers before a bundled-up crowd of 7,898.

“In our league it is just so tight, it is the little things that matter,” said Princeton head coach Bob Surace, whose team snapped a two-game losing streak and ended the fall at 8-2 overall and 5-2 Ivy League, finishing just behind Dartmouth (9-1 overall, 6-1 Ivy) and Yale (9-1 overall, 6-1 Ivy), who tied for league title.

“That is what we look like, at times it might be a little ugly and everything else. But we didn’t turn the ball over, we fought through some things, and we did really well in certain situational football.” more

RETURN ENGAGEMENT: Princeton University field hockey player MaryKate Neff tracks down the ball in a game earlier this fall. Last Sunday, junior star Neff scored a goal to help No. 9 Princeton defeat No. 2 UConn  2-0 in the NCAA quarterfinals. The Tigers, now 15-4 and riding a 12-game winning streak, will play No. 3 Virginia (18-4) in the NCAA semis on November 22 at Winston-Salem, N.C., with the victor advancing to the national championship game on November 24. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

In late September, the Princeton University field hockey team suffered a tough loss when it fell 2-1 in overtime to UConn.

But after winning 11 of its next 12 games, including a 5-1 thrashing of Syracuse in the first round of the NCAA tournament last Friday, ninth-ranked Princeton earned a rematch with the powerhouse Huskies last Sunday on their home field in Storrs, Conn. in the national quarterfinals.

Displaying how far it has come since that disappointing September afternoon, Princeton turned the tables on No. 2 UConn, pulling away to a 2-0 win as the program earned its second straight trip to the NCAA Final Four and third in the last four years.

Princeton head coach Carla Tagliente was thrilled by her team’s performance in Connecticut as it ended the weekend at 15-4 and riding a 12-game winning streak. The Tigers will now play No. 3 Virginia (18-4) in the NCAA semis on November 22 at Winston-Salem, N.C., with the victor advancing to the national championship game on November 24. more

DOGFIGHT: Princeton University receiver Andrew Griffin goes up for the ball against Yale last Saturday. Senior star Griffin made six catches for 68 yards in the game but it wasn’t nearly enough as Princeton fell 51-14 to Yale. The Tigers, now 7-2 overall and 4-2 Ivy League, play at Penn on November 23 to wrap up the 2019 season. Despite the loss to the Bulldogs, the Tigers could gain a share of the Ivy title if they defeat the Quakers and both Yale (8-1 overall, 5-1 Ivy) and Dartmouth (8-1 overall, 5-1 Ivy) fall in their finales. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Andrew Griffin paid his dues in waiting to get a starting role at wide receiver for the Princeton University football team.

After not seeing any varsity action as a freshman and getting into a couple of games in his sophomore year, Griffin made three catches last fall as a junior in eight games.

Emerging as a star receiver this year, Griffin came into last Saturday with 25 catches and a team-high six touchdown receptions as Princeton hosted Yale in its home finale and honored Griffin and his fellow seniors in a pregame ceremony. more

BOOSTING MORALE: Princeton University men’s basketball player Jose Morales dribbles up the court in a game last winter. Last Wednesday, senior guard Morales, a former Hun School standout, scored eight points in 19 minutes off the bench, but it wasn’t enough as the Tigers fell 72-65 to Lafayette. Princeton, now 0-3, plays at Indiana on November 20 before hosting Arizona State on November 26. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

With the Princeton University men’s basketball team trailing Lafayette 52-34 early in the second half last Wednesday in its home opener at Jadwin Gym, Jose Morales came off the bench looking to give the Tigers a lift.

“It was just, be a spark offensively and defensively, whatever we really needed,” said Morales, a native or Miramar, Fla. who starred in a postgraduate season at the Hun School. “I felt like we just came out a little flat.”

With the scrappy 5’9 Morales throwing his body around at both ends of the court, Princeton went on an 18-7 run to narrow the gap to 59-52. But in the end, Lafayette held on for a 72-65 win as the Tigers dropped to 0-3. more

TOE TO TOE: Princeton University men’s hockey player Derek Topatigh, right, battles for the puck in recent action. Last Friday evening, senior defenseman and captain Topatigh scored a goal to help Princeton rally from a two-goal deficit to pull out a 2-2 tie with RPI. The Tigers, who lost 2-1 to Union in overtime a night later to fall to 1-3-2 overall and 0-3-1 ECAC Hockey, play at Colgate on November 22 and at No. 2 Cornell on November 23. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Even though the Princeton University men’s hockey team trailed RPI 2-0 after two periods last Friday night at Hobey Baker Rink, Derek Topatigh was confident that the Tigers could rally.

“It was just stick to the game plan, it has been working,” said senior defenseman and captain Topatigh, recalling the discussion in the locker room during the second intermission.

“We were all over them; they got a couple of bounces and capitalized on their chances. The message was just keep doing what we were doing. We know we are a good team and we have the systems in place to win.” more

BRONX BOMBER: Princeton University quarterback Kevin Davidson fires a pass a game earlier this fall. Last Saturday, senior Davidson threw for 210 yards and a touchdown in a losing cause as Princeton fell 27-10 to Dartmouth at Yankee Stadium. The loss to the undefeated Big Green snapped a 17-game winning streak for the Tigers, who dropped to 7-1 overall and 4-1 Ivy League. Princeton will look to get back in the win column when it hosts Yale (7-1 overall, 4-1 Ivy) on November 16. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

For lifelong New York Yankees fan Bob Surace, making the pilgrimage to the Bronx is always special.

So when Surace brought his undefeated and ninth-ranked  Princeton University football team to Yankee Stadium last Saturday for a clash against undefeated and No. 13 Dartmouth to help commemorate the 150th anniversary of the first game which pitted the Tigers against Rutgers on November 6, 1869, the trip was destined to leave a slew of memories.

“The entire week was great, with the celebration of the first game we played in, the Empire State Building being lit up the orange and red for us and Rutgers, and the number of alumni who flew in, who drove in,” said Princeton head coach Surace, a star center for the Tiger football program in the late 1980s.

“It was really incredible to see the support from everybody who has been a part of Princeton football for such a long time and then have the Yankee Stadium experience.” more

ON POINT: Princeton University women’s basketball player Carlie Littlefield looks to pass the ball last week as Princeton hosted Rider in its season opener. Junior point guard Littlefield scored 10 points and had a career-high seven assists in the November 5 contest to help the Tigers prevail 80-47. Last Sunday in a 75-50 win at George Washington, Littlefield nearly recorded a triple-double, scoring 22 points with 10 steals and eight rebounds. Littlefield was later named the Ivy League Player of the Week. In upcoming action, Princeton, now 2-0, plays at Seton Hall on November 15 before hosting Florida Gulf Coast on November 17. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

As the Princeton University women’s basketball team took the court for its season opener last week against Rider at Jadwin Gyn, it was more than just the start of another season.

With Carla Berube taking the helm of squad after Courtney Banghart having headed south to guide the University of North Carolina, the November 5 contest marked a new chapter in the history of the Princeton program.

Tiger junior guard Carlie Littlefield and her teammates were ready to turn the page as they faced the Broncs.

“We were all just super excited for this new era and this new season to kick off,” said Littlefield. more

BIG JAKE: Princeton University men’s hockey player Jake Paganelli skates near the boards in a game last winter. Last Saturday, junior forward Paganelli scored a goal in a losing cause as Princeton fell 3-1 at Dartmouth. The Tigers, now 1-2-1 overall and 0-2 ECAC Hockey, will be seeing their first action this season at Hobey Baker Rink when they host RPI on November 15 and Union on November 16. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Although the Princeton University men’s hockey team opened its ECAC Hockey campaign last weekend by falling at Harvard and Dartmouth, Ron Fogarty is far from discouraged.

“I like where this team is at; we have four lines that are doing well,” said Princeton head coach Fogarty, whose team is now 1-2-1 overall and 0-2 ECACH. “All of the guys, to a man, are playing hard and smart.”

Despite playing hard in New England, Princeton fell 3-0 to Harvard on Friday and 3-1 to Dartmouth a day later.

“Last weekend was a tough two games score-wise but I liked how we played,” said Fogarty. more

GROUND AND POUND: Princeton University football player Ryan Quigley heads upfieldin recent action. Last Friday night, senior running back Quigley rushed for a game-high 79 yards to help Princeton defeat Cornell 21-7. The Tigers, now 7-0 overall and 4-0 Ivy League, face Dartmouth (7-0, 4-0 Ivy) on November 9 at Yankee Stadium as part of the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the first football game, played between Princeton and Rutgers on November 6, 1869. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Last fall, the Princeton University football team cruised to a 66-0 win over Cornell on the way to its first perfect campaign since 1964.

Although Princeton brought a 6-0 record into this years’s renewal of the rivalry with Cornell last Friday night in Ithaca, N.Y., Bob Surace sensed that his team was not in for a smooth ride against the Big Red this fall.

“You look at Cornell this year and they are a good team, said Surace, noting that although Cornell had started 2-4, each of those defeats has come in tight games, with the team losing by an average of 7.75 points. more

RICH AND SUCCESSFUL: Princeton University men’s basketball player Richmond Aririguzoh, right, fields a question at the program’s annual media day last week as teammate Jaelin Llewellyn and head coach Mitch Henderson look on. The Tigers, who went 16-12 last year on the way to the Ivy League postseason tournament with Aririguzoh emerging as a star, are tipping off the 2019-20 season this week with games at Duquesne on November 5 and against the University of San Francisco at the Chase Center in San Francisco on November 9. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

While practice for the Princeton University men’s basketball team typically starts at 4:45 in the afternoon, Richmond Aririguzoh has stuck to a different schedule over the last four years.

“Starting in Richmond’s freshman year, he didn’t want anybody to notice him and he would go into the side court basket and that is where he would get his work done,” said Princeton head coach Mitch Henderson, speaking at the program’s annual media day last week.

“If you show up at 4:15, you could set your watch to precision like work being done on that exact same basket. That story just says that there is a humbleness to Richmond. It is don’t worry about me, I will be in the side court working. It would be easy for him to walk around campus and pat himself on the back and ask others to do the same but that is just not his personality. I ask us to make us him; we will all be better for it.” more

LONDON CALLING: Princeton University field hockey goalie Grace Baylis directs the Tiger defense in recent action. Last Sunday, senior star Baylis, a native of London, England, made two saves as eighth-ranked Princeton defeated Cornell 3-0 to clinch a share of the Ivy League title and the league’s automatic bid for the upcoming NCAA tournament. Baylis was later named the Ivy Defensive Player of the Week. Princeton, now 12-4 overall and 6-0 Ivy, plays at Penn on November 9 to wrap up regular season action. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

For Grace Baylis, joining the Princeton University field hockey program involved a longer journey than most of her teammates.

Hailing from London, England, star goalie Baylis arrived at Princeton in 2015 confident that she had found a good fit far from home.

“I wanted to play at a really good level and get a really good education and this allowed me to do that,” said senior goalie Baylis.

“That is what is so special about our program – we love field hockey and you can still pursue whatever you want, academically, socially, extracurricular, and still play.”

Baylis and her classmates got some love last Sunday as the program held its annual Senior Day celebration before hosting Cornell in its regular season home finale.  more

GETTING HER FILL: Princeton University women’s hockey player Sarah Fillier heads up ice in recent action. Last week, sophomore star forward Fillier tallied two goals and one assist as Princeton defeated Quinnipiac 4-2 to open ECAC Hockey play. The Tigers, now 4-1 overall and 2-1 ECACH after beating Colgate 1-0 on Friday and losing 3-1 to Cornell the next day, host Harvard on November 8 and Dartmouth on November 9. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

It was only the first weekend of the season but Sarah Fillier felt snakebitten when she didn’t score a goal despite firing eight shots as the Princeton University women’s hockey team posted a pair of wins over Syracuse in late October.

So when sixth-ranked Princeton hosted Quinnipiac in its ECAC Hockey opener on October 29, sophomore forward Fillier was ready to break out.

“They have played a few more games than we have so they are more in stride than we are,” said Fillier, a 5’5 native of Georgetown, Ontario who tallied 22 goals and 35 assists for 57 points last winter in getting named as a second-team All-American and the National Rookie of the Year. more

LONE WOLF: Princeton University men’s soccer player Richard Wolf goes after the ball in a game earlier this season. Last Saturday, junior defender Wolf helped Princeton battle to a 1-1 tie with Cornell. The Tigers, now 10-3-2 overall and 2-1-2 Ivy League, play at Penn on November 9. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Richard Wolf earned All-Ivy League honors in his first two seasons for the Princeton University men’s soccer team but he was primed to do more this fall.

“I like to think I have taken a little bit more of a leadership position,” said junior defender Wolf, a 6’0, 190-pound native of Annandale, N.J.

“I got my first goal as well and then I got my second one. That has been a nice change. I haven’t scored in the past three years so it was really nice to get on the score sheet.”

Last Saturday, Wolf displayed his leadership on the back line as Princeton battled Cornell to a 1-1 tie though regulation and 20 minutes of overtime, moving to 10-3-2 overall and 2-1-2 Ivy League. more

TOUCH OF CLASS: Princeton University football player Dylan Classi goes up for a catch in recent action. Last Saturday, sophomore receiver Classi made seven catches for 107 yards and two touchdowns to help Princeton defeat Harvard 30-24. The win improved the No. 13 Tigers to 6-0 overall and 3-0 Ivy as they extended their winning streak to 16. Princeton will look to keep on the winning track at it plays at Cornell (2-4 overall, 1-2 Ivy) on November 2. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

John Orr didn’t play a down, but he helped set the tone for the Princeton University football team as it hosted Harvard last Saturday in an Ivy League showdown.

Having been sidelined when he suffered a leg injury in the preseason, senior linebacker and tri-captain Orr was asked by Princeton head coach Bob Surace to speak to his teammates before Princeton took on the Crimson in battle of rivals that were both 2-0 in Ivy play coming into the game.

“John means so much to this program and he is out; it is a horrible feeling to have a guy out that put so much into it,” recalled Surace.

“I said to him that I would love to have you address the team and he gave this amazing speech last night. It was about the guys being strong and the whole group of 100 guys playing together and showing grit. That was the message. I repeated the message at halftime. We had a little adversity and I said are we going to stay together and are we going to show grit.”

Taking that message to heart, Princeton overcame a 14-10 halftime deficit to pull out a hard-eared 30-24 victory over the Crimson before 9,028 at Princeton Stadium. The triumph improved the 13th-ranked Tigers to 6-0 overall and 3-0 Ivy as they extended their winning streak to 16. more

FACING OFF: Princeton University men’s hockey player Jackson Cressey, right, battles for the puck on a face-off in a game last season. Princeton will be looking to senior forward Cressey to be a key offensive playmaker this winter. The Tigers open their 2019-20 campaign with a two-game set at St. Cloud State on November 1 and 2. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

The trio of Ryan Kuffner, Max Veronneau, and Josh Teves left an indelible mark on the Princeton University men’s hockey team’s record book before they graduated last June.

Kuffner ended his career as the program’s all-time leading goal scorer with 75 while Veronneau was the fourth leading scorer with 143 points and Teves set a program mark for most assists (69) by a defenseman.

While it would be understandable if Princeton head coach Ron Fogarty lamented the exit of his three blue-chip stars who all went on to see NHL action last spring, he is ready to turn the page. more

SPEED SKATING: Princeton University women’s hockey player Sarah Fillier races up the ice in a game last winter in her freshman season. Star forward Fillier tallied 57 points on 22 goals and 35 assists in 2018-19 on the way to getting named as the national Rookie of the Year and earning All-American honors. Princeton, currently ranked sixth nationally, opens its 2019-20 season by hosting Syracuse for a two-game set on October 25 and 26. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

With the Princeton University women’s hockey team coming off a landmark campaign last winter that saw it produce a program-record 20-game unbeaten streak, win the Ivy League title, and rise to No. 4 in the national rankings, the Tigers are chomping at the bit to get the 2019-20 season underway.

“The preseason is a little longer than last year,”said Princeton head coach Cara Morey, who guided the Tigers to a 20-8-5 record last season and a spot in the NCAA tournament where they fell 5-2 to Minnesota.

“I think the girls are anxious to get started and get into some meaningful games.” more

JACOB’S LADDER: Princeton University football player Jacob Birmelin heads upfield in recent action. Last Saturday at Brown, junior receiver Birmelin produced a career day, making 12 catches for 186 yards and two touchdowns as Princeton pulled away to a 65-22 win over the Bears. The Tigers, who improved to 5-0 overall and 2-0 Ivy League in extending their winning streak to 15, host Harvard (4-1 overall, 2-0 Ivy) on October 26. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Serving as the offensive coordinator for the Princeton University football program from 2010-16, James Perry played a key role in turning the Tigers into a scoring juggernaut.

Installing a no-huddle, up-tempo system, Perry helped Princeton win the Ivy league title in 2013, averaging a league record 43.7 points. Three years later, the Tigers won another league crown, scoring 34.6 points a contest.

So with Perry taking the helm of his alma mater Brown this season after two years guiding Bryant program, there figured to be some offensive fireworks when Princeton traveled to Providence, R.I. last Saturday to take on the Bears. more