March 28, 2018

Boasting Depth, Athleticism All Over the Field, PHS Girls’ Lax Focused on Playing Together

LO AND BEHOLD: Princeton High girls’ lacrosse player Mariana Lopez-Ona controls the ball in 2017 action. Junior star Lopez-Ona will be a two-way threat in the midfield for PHS with her offensive skills and defensive prowess. The Little Tigers open their 2018 season with a game at Robbinsville on March 29. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Despite the series of nor’easters that pounded the area in March, the players on the Princeton High girls’ lacrosse team haven’t let the inclement weather dampen their spirits.

“We have had a couple of indoor practices but for the most part we have braved the weather and been outside,” said PHS head coach Sara Doran, who led the Little Tigers to a 14-8 record and the semifinals of the Central Jersey Group 4 Tournament last spring in her debut season at the helm of the program. more

PU Men’s Hockey Falls to Ohio State in NCAAs, But Postseason Run Leaving Indelible Memories

PARTING SHOT: Princeton University men’s hockey player Matt Nelson heads up the ice in a game this season. Last Saturday, senior defenseman Nelson scored a goal in a losing cause as fourth-seeded Princeton fell 4-2 to top-seeded Ohio State in the NCAA Midwest regional semifinals. The loss left the Tigers with a final record of 19-13-4. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

When Matt Nelson and David Hallisey joined the Princeton University men’s hockey team four years ago, things were pretty bleak.

The Tigers posted a 4-23-3 record in their freshman campaign in 2014-15 and then went 5-23-3 the next winter. more

Fighting Hard in 15-12 Defeat to Dartmouth, PU Women’s Lax Aims for More Consistency

CORE VALUE: Princeton University women’s lacrosse player Annie Cory heads upfield against Dartmouth last Saturday. Sophomore midfielder Cory tallied a career-high three goals against the Big Green but it wasn’t enough as Princeton lost 15-12. The Tigers, now 4-3 overall and 1-1 Ivy League, host No. 12 Syracuse (6-4) on March 29 before playing at Delaware on March 31. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Starting last week with a bang, the Princeton University women’s lacrosse team produced a dramatic comeback at Penn State, rallying from a 9-5 second half deficit to pull out a 13-12 victory.

“That was really a great win from being down and really fighting back” said Princeton head coach Chris Sailer, reflecting on the March 19 contest. more

Solidifying Status as Tiger Wrestling Legend, Sophomore Star Kolodzik Takes 3rd at NCAAs

PINNING IT DOWN: Princeton University wrestler Matthew Kolodzik pins Columbia’s Jacob Macalolooy at 149 pounds in a regular season match. Sophomore Kolodzik solidified his status as one of the greatest wrestlers in Princeton history over the last month, winning his second straight EIWA (Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association) title and then placing third in 149 pounds at the NCAA Championships in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Matthew Kolodzik enjoyed a landmark debut campaign for the Princeton University wrestling team in 2016-17, going 30-4 and taking seventh at 141 pounds in the NCAA Championships to become the first freshman in program history to earn All-American honors. more

After Saying Goodbye to Stellar Senior Class, PHS Boys’ Lacrosse Featuring a New Look

POLE POSITION: Princeton High boys’ lacrosse player Ryan Farrell, left, thwarts a foe in a game last season. Senior defender and tri-captain Farrell will be a steadying presence for a PHS squad that is welcoming a lot of new faces to its lineup. The Little Tigers play at Notre Dame on March 28 in their season opener. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Saying goodbye to 14 seniors from a 2017 squad that advanced to the semifinals of the North Jersey Group 3 tournament last year, the Princeton High boys’ lacrosse team will have a new look this spring.

“We have holes that a lot of JV kids are going to fill,” said PHS head coach Chip Casto, who guided the Little Tigers to a 10-9 record last year and an appearance in the Mercer County Tournament championship game. “We will see who rises basically. We are basically a senior defense and everything else is underclassmen.” more

Emphasizing Positive Culture, Aggressive Play, Hun Girls’ Lax Aiming to Build on 2017 Success

ZO GOOD: Hun School girls’ lacrosse player Zoe Cook heads to goal in a game last year. Junior midfielder Cook figures to be a key offensive threat again this year for Hun after earning All-Prep honors in 2017. The Raiders open their 2018 campaign by playing at Monroe High on March 29. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

When the Hun School girls’ lacrosse team chants “USA, USA” this year, it will be expressing more than just patriotism.

“We have an acronym this year, USA, which has a meaning that is twofold,” said Hun head coach Liz Cook, who guided the Raiders to a 12-4 record and the state Prep A semis last year and is entering her fourth season at the helm of the program. “It means united, strong, and aggressive; that is what we want to be in that order. We also have a lot of patriotic kids.” more

After Dominant Prep A Title Run Last Spring, Hun Softball Knows Encore Won’t Come Easy

POWER SOURCE: Hun School softball player Meghan Donohue takes a swing in a game last season. Junior third baseman Donohue will be counted on to provide punch in the middle of the Hun batting order this spring as the Raiders look to defend their state Prep A title. Hun opens the 2018 season by hosting Penn Charter on March 29. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

For the Hun School softball team, 2017 turned into a dream season as the Raiders went 14-2 and won the program’s first state Prep A title since 2004.

Looking ahead to the upcoming season, longtime Hun head coach Kathy Quirk knows it will be a challenge to produce an encore. more

March 21, 2018

Sizzling PU Men’s Hockey Wins ECACH Title, Will Face Ohio State in NCAA Midwest Regional

CRAZY EIGHTS: Princeton University men’s hockey player Josh Teves controls the puck in ECAC Hockey playoff action. Last weekend at the ECACH Final 4 in Lake Placid, N.Y., junior defenseman Teves starred as seventh-seeded Princeton defeated top-seeded Cornell 4-1 in the semis and then edged third-seeded Clarkson 2-1 in overtime in the title game. It marked the third straight decade that the program won an ECACH title during a year ending in 8 as the 1998 and 2008 squads also accomplished the feat. Princeton, now 19-12-4 overall, is headed to the NCAA tournament. The Tigers will be playing in the Midwest Regional in Allentown, Pa. where they are seeded fourth and will face top-seeded Ohio State on Saturday. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Even though the Princeton University men’s hockey team entered the ECAC Hockey Final 4 last weekend at Lake Placid, N.Y. as the lowest remaining seed in the competition, Josh Teves didn’t view the Tigers as underdogs.

“We have obviously been doing well in the playoffs and before that,” said junior defenseman Teves, reflecting on the team’s surge which saw it go 4-0 in the playoffs, outscoring Brown and Union by a total of 23-8 the first two rounds. more

PU Women’s Hoops Falls to Maryland in NCAAs But Experience Should Help Tigers Going Forward

TOUGH FINISH: Princeton University women’s basketball player Abby Meyers drives to the basket in a game earlier this season. Last Friday, freshman Meyers scored a team-high 13 points in a losing cause as 12th-seeded Princeton fell 77-57 to fifth-seeded Maryland in Raleigh, N.C. in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. The defeat left the Tigers with a final record of 24-6. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Even though the 12th-seeded Princeton University women’s basketball team only trailed fifth-seeded Maryland 31-26 at halftime in a first round NCAA tournament game last Friday in Raleigh, N.C., Courtney Banghart saw red flags on the horizon. more

Despite Superb Effort by Senior Star Thompson, Princeton Men’s Lax Falls to Penn in Ivy Opener

RILED UP: Princeton University men’s lacrosse player Riley Thompson unloads the ball in a game earlier this season. Last Saturday, senior midfielder and tri-captain Thompson tallied two goals and two assists in a losing cause as Princeton fell 14-7 to visiting Penn in the Ivy League opener for both teams. Princeton, now 3-3 overall and 0-1 Ivy, plays at No. 6 Yale (5-1 overall, 1-0 Ivy) on March 24. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

In the first few weeks of the 2018 season, the Princeton University men’s lacrosse team has demonstrated a flair for drama, pulling out two nail-biter wins over local rivals.

The Tigers opened the campaign by edging Monmouth 9-8 in double overtime on February 17. Three weeks later, Princeton trailed Rutgers 14-10 early in the fourth quarter and rallied to win 15-14 in the first overtime. more

March 20, 2018

With PDS Girls’ Hoops Program Showing Progress, Bailey Stepping Down With Pride Over 5-year Tenure

PASSING IT ON: Princeton Day School girls’ basketball player Kate Bennett looks to pass the ball in a game this season. Senior stalwart Bennett provided leadership and stability as PDS won two of its final three games to end the winter at 5-16. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Dealing with injuries from the first week of the season, the Princeton Day School girls’ basketball team had trouble finding a rhythm this winter.

“Our struggle was just keeping everybody heathy throughout the year,” said PDS head coach Kamau Bailey. more

PDS Hockey Star Auslander, Stuart Hoops’ Spaulding Earn Nod as Town Topics’ Leading Winter Performers

COBY BEEF: Princeton Day School boys’ hockey player Coby Auslander controls the puck in a game this season. Junior forward and captain Auslander starred as the Panthers went 17-7 and advanced to the Mid-Atlantic Hockey League (MAHL) championship game. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Coming into the winter, Coby Auslander was determined to step into a leadership role for the Princeton Day School boys hockey team.

“Last year I was one of the guys and we had a bunch of seniors,” said junior forward and team captain Auslander.

“They were great guys who taught me what it is like to lead. We have a young group in there so it is important for me to get all of those guys and help them learn the game a little bit and get used to the speed.” more

With Tough Season Prompting Soul Searching, PU Men’s Hoops Primed to Regain Winning Edge

GLAD TO HELP: Princeton University men’s basketball player Will Gladson puts up a shot in a game this season. Sophomore forward Gladson ended an injury-plagued season on a personal high note as he scored a career-high 16 points in a 94-90 overtime loss at Yale in the season finale on March 3. Gladson figures to be a key performer in the future as the Tigers will look to bounce back from a tough 2017-18 campaign that saw them go 13-16 overall and 5-9 Ivy League. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

After the the Princeton University men’s basketball team pulled out a 79-73 overtime win against Yale on February 2, it appeared to be on track to challenge for another Ivy League title as it improved to 3-1 in conference play.

But the next night against Brown, Princeton squandered a four point lead with 36 seconds left in regulation on the way to a 102-100 loss in overtime. That defeat sent the Tigers into a tailspin as they lost their next six Ivy contests. more

March 14, 2018

Refusing to Let Shaky Start Get It Down, PDS Girls’ Hockey Produced Late Surge

BIG FINISH: Princeton Day School girls’ hockey player Sam Dwyer brings the puck up the ice in a game this season. Senior forward and co-captain Dwyer came up big down the stretch for PDS, scoring the game-winning goal as the Panthers topped Rye Country Day (N.Y.) 2-1 in overtime in the fifth place game of the WIHLMA (Women’s Interscholastic Hockey League of the Mid-Atlantic) playoffs. The Panthers edged Chatham 1-0 in their season finale on February 22 to end the winter with a 9-13-2 record. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

When the Princeton Day School girls’ hockey team struggled to a 2-7-1 start this winter, it was time for some soul-searching.

“We had a talk with the captain group in early January about basically, hey, we have a little over a month left,” said PDS head coach Lorna Cook. more

PHS Boys’ Swimming Exceeded Expectations, Going 8-4 in Dual Meets, Taking 5th at Counties

By Bill Alden

Coming into the winter, the Princeton High boys’ swimming team seemed to be in rebuilding mode.

“People didn’t look to us in the beginning and expect much from us, looking at who we lost over the past couple of years,” said PHS head coach Carly Misiewicz. “It was ‘Princeton is not going to be much this year.’”

The Little Tigers turned out to be much better than expected, posting a 8-4 record in dual meets and placing fifth at the Mercer County Championships. more

Breaking Union Hex in ECACH Quarters, PU Men’s Hockey Playing Cornell in Semis

FIRE ON ICE: Members of the Princeton University men’s hockey team celebrate a goal during their sweep of Brown in a best-of-three ECAC hockey first round series earlier this month. The seventh-seeded Tigers kept rolling last weekend, sweeping second-seeded Union 2-0 in best-of-three quarterfinal matchup. Princeton, now 17-12-4, plays top-seeded and No. 2 Cornell (25-4-2) in the semis on March 16 in Lake Placid, N.Y. with the victor advancing to the title game on March 17 to face the winner of the Clarkson-Harvard semi. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Having gone 0-17-3 in its last 20 games against Union, including 0-2 this season, the Princeton University men’s hockey team seemed overmatched as it faced the Dutchmen in an ECAC Hockey best-of-three quarterfinal series last weekend.

But Princeton head coach Ron Fogarty wasn’t concerned about that history with his seventh-seeded Tigers having gone 9-2-1 in their last 12 games coming into the clash with second-seeded and No. 16 Union. more

After Cruising to Title at Ivy Postseason Tourney, PU Women’s Hoops to Face Maryland in NCAAs

DANCE PARTY: Members of the Princeton University women’s basketball team celebrate at Triumph Brewing Company last Monday after learning their assignment for the upcoming NCAA tournament. The Tigers, now 24-5, are seeded 12th and will face fifth-seeded Maryland, 25-7, in Raleigh, N.C. on March 16 in the Kansas City bracket. It is the seventh trip to the Big Dance in the last nine years for the Tigers, who beat Penn 63-34 in the Ivy League tournament championship game last Sunday to earn the league’s automatic bid to the tourney. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Even though the Princeton University women’s basketball team rolled to the Ivy League regular season title, that didn’t guarantee the Tigers a spot in the upcoming NCAA tournament.

Instead, the Tigers had to go to Philadelphia and survive a two-game gauntlet at the Ivy League postseason tourney to earn the league’s automatic bid to the Big Dance. more

Lifted by Sims’ Late Game Heroics, PU Men’s Lax Rallies to Beat Rutgers

SHOOTING STAR: Princeton University men’s lacrosse player Austin Sims fires a shot in recent action. Last Saturday, senior star midfielder and co-captain Sims scored five goals, including the game-tying and game-winning goal as Princeton rallied from a four-goal deficit to beat Rutgers 15-14 in overtime. The Tigers, now 3-2, open Ivy League play by hosting Penn (3-3) on March 17. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Austin Sims and his teammates on the Princeton University men’s lacrosse team weren’t about to hit the panic button even though they found themselves trailing Rutgers 14-10 with 9:58 remaining in the fourth quarter last Saturday at Class of 1952 Stadium. more

PHS Girls’ Swimming Enjoyed Superb Season, Fueled by Passion, Special Team Camaraderie

SENIOR SWIM: Princeton High girls’ swimmer Emily Curran displays her freestyle form in a meet this year. Senior star and co-captain Curran enjoyed a big final campaign, helping PHS go 9-4 and advance to the North 2 Public B sectional quarterfinals. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Carly Misiewicz sensed that her Princeton High girls’ swimming team was developing a special spirit as it headed into the homestretch of the season.

“Our girls’ team was really passionate and really cared for each other,” said PHS head coach Misiewicz. “They wanted to dig deep.” more

Sparked by Young Talent, Veteran Leadership, PHS Girls’ Hockey Produced Winning Season

LIVING IT UP: Princeton High girls’ hockey player Olivia Corrodi controls the puck in a game this season. Junior forward and assistant captain Corrodi helped PHS enjoy a winning campaign this winter as it ended up with a 9-7-3 record. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Even though his Princeton High girls’ hockey team went 3-10 in 2016-17, Christian Herzog had high hopes coming into this winter.

“Going in, no matter what happens, I thought that we would be pretty close to .500,” said PHS head coach Herzog. more

Signing On

Princeton Day School senior athletes Damali Simon-Ponte, left, and Grace Barbara are all smiles as they recently signed letters of intent to compete for Division I college soccer programs. Joining them for the ceremony in the back row, from left to right, are Head of School Paul Stellato, Associate Director of College Counseling Cindy Michalak, Director of College Counseling Sarah Graham, Head of Upper School Jason Robinson, and Director of Athletics Tim Williams. Simon-Ponte will play soccer at the University of Delaware in the fall. In 2016, star midfielder Simon-Ponte was the leading scorer for PDS and one of the top assist leaders in New Jersey as the Panthers won their third straight state Prep B crown. Barbara, for her part, will play for Princeton University next year. Star goalie Barbara is a two-time Mercer 33 honoree and was named top goalkeeper in Mercer County during 2016. Three other PDS seniors, C.J. Uche (Bucknell), Maddie Coyne (George Washington), and Donovan Davis (Elon University), have also committed to play soccer for D-I programs.

March 7, 2018

Battling Hard Despite Steady Diet of Losing, PHS Boys’ Hoops Goes 3-2 Down the Stretch

ACTION JACKSON: Princeton High boys’ basketball player Jay Jackson puts up a shot in a game this season. Sophomore Jackson emerged as a bright spot in a tough season for PHS as it went 4-21. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Having lost 19 of its first 20 games this winter, the Princeton High boys’ basketball team could have gone through the motions over the last two weeks of the season.

Instead, PHS saved its best for last, going 3-2 in its last five games, highlighted by a 58-54 win over Steinert in its home finale on February 9 and a 54-51 victory over WW/P-South on February 20 in a Mercer County Tournament consolation game to end the season. more

Sweeping Brown With Veronneau Fueling Attack, PU Men’s Hockey to Face Union in ECACH Quarters

BEARING DOWN: Princeton University men’s hockey Max Veronneau heads up the ice last weekend as Princeton battled Brown in an ECAC Hockey best-of-three first round playoff series. Junior forward Veronneau starred as the seventh-seeded Tigers dominated the 10th-seeded Bears, winning 8-2 on Friday and 7-1 a night later. Veronneau hit the 100-point mark in his college career with an assist on Princeton’s second goal in Saturday’s contest. The Tigers, now 15-12-4 overall, play at second place Union (21-13-2 overall) in a best-of-three quarterfinal series starting on March 9. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Max Veronneau was in the middle of making milestone moments as the Princeton University men’s hockey team hosted Brown in a best-of-three ECAC Hockey first round playoff series last weekend.

On Friday, junior star forward Veronneau helped Ryan Kuffner score the 100th point of his career, burying a feed from his classmate and linemate in the back of the net late in the second period as Kuffner tallied the 100th point of his Princeton career with the assist. The goal gave the Tigers a 5-2 lead and they never looked back on the way to an 8-2 victory. more

N.J. Natives Grabowski, Robinson Enjoy Baker Finale As Tiger Men’s Hockey Rolls Past Brown in Playoffs

JERSEY GUY: Princeton University men’s hockey player Joe Grabowski controls the puck last weekend as seventh-seeded Princeton hosted 10th-seeded Brown in an ECAC Hockey best-of-three first round playoff series. Senior defenseman and captain Grabowski, a native of nearby Lawrenceville, enjoyed a memorable final weekend at Hobey Baker Rink as the Tigers swept the series, defeating the Bears 8-2 on Friday and 7-1 a night later. Princeton, now 15-12-4 overall, plays at second place Union (21-13-2 overall) in a best-of-three quarterfinal series starting on March 9. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

For the Princeton University men’s hockey team, Joe Grabowski and Eric Robinson have proven to be two local kids who made good.

Defenseman Grabowski, a native of nearby Lawrenceville and forward Robinson, who hails from Bellmawr in Camden County, have emerged as stars on the ice and team leaders, with both serving as captain. more

With Robinson Producing Historic Performance, PU Women’s Hoops Earns Top Seed for Ivy Tourney

LES IS MORE: Princeton University women’s basketball player Leslie Robinson puts up a shot last Friday against visiting Brown. Senior forward Robinson produced a historic performance in a 79-44 win over the Bears, scoring 10 points with 15 rebounds and 10 assists to achieve the first triple-double in Princeton history. A night later in her Jadwin Gym finale, Robinson contributed nine points and six rebounds as Princeton topped Yale 64-53 to finish the regular season at 22-5 overall and 12-2 Ivy and clinch the outright league title. The Tigers will now compete in the Ivy postseason tournament in Philadelphia for the league’s automatic berth in the NCAA tourney. Princeton is seeded first and will face fourth-seeded Yale on March 10 in the semifinals. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

As Leslie Robinson took the court at Jadwin Gym last Friday evening to start her final home weekend for the Princeton University women’s basketball team, her mind was racing. more