December 27, 2017

PU Men’s Hoops Stuns USC in OT Thriller, Looking to Bring Positive Vibe to Hawaii

ANSWERING THE BELL: Princeton University men’s basketball player Amir Bell, left, goes up for a lay-up in a game earlier this season. Last week, senior guard Bell contributed 18 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds as Princeton defeated the University of Southern California 103-93 in overtime on December 19. The Tigers were slated to be competing in the Diamond Head Classic from December 22-25 in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

After the Princeton University men’s basketball team topped Monmouth 69-58 to snap a three-game losing streak, Mitch Henderson sensed that his squad may have turned a corner.

“We have been playing like crap and it is on me,” said Princeton head coach Henderson after the December 12 contest. “I thought tonight we looked like team.” more

December 20, 2017

Determined to Refocus After 3 Game Skid, Princeton Men’s Hoops Defeats Monmouth

PUTTING IN MYLES: Princeton University men’s basketball player Myles Stephens drives to the hoop in recent action. Last Saturday, junior star and tri-captain Stephens chipped in 16 points and four assists as Princeton defeated Cal Poly 80-60 in improving to 4-6.  Stephens, who had 19 points and eight rebounds in a 69-58 win over Monmouth on December 12, was later named the Ivy League Player of the Week. After playing at Southern Cal on December 19, the Tigers head across the Pacific Ocean to compete in the Diamond Head Classic from December 22-25 in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

For Myles Stephens and his teammates on the Princeton University men’s basketball team, their 71-60 defeat at George Washington earlier this month proved to be a wake-up call. more

December 13, 2017

Capping Storied Career Guiding PU Men’s Track, Samara Headed to National Coaches Hall of Fame

COACHING ICON: Princeton University men’s track head coach Fred Samara, left, instructs one of his athletes on the finer points of pole vaulting. This week, Samara, a former Olympic decathlete, will be one of six coaches inducted into the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Hall of Fame in Phoenix, Ariz. During Samara’s tenure as the head coach at Princeton since 1979, the Tigers have won 41 Ivy League Heptagonal titles, including 20 indoor crowns, 17 outdoor crowns and four in cross country, as he served as cross country coach from 1992-98 and again from 2004-07. (Photo Courtesy of Princeton’s Office of Athletic Communications)

By Bill Alden

A year after ending a brilliant track career that culminated by competing in the decathlon for the U.S. team at the 1976 Summer Olympics, Fred Samara ran into a crossroads.

In deciding what to do with the rest of his life, Samara had the choice of taking a marketing job for a running magazine or becoming an assistant men’s track coach at Princeton University. more

Junior DeClerck Keeps Up Hot Streak As PU Women’s Hockey Tops Quinnipiac

HOT HAND: Princeton University women’s hockey player Keiko DeClerck controls the puck in a game last season. Last Friday, junior forward DeClerck scored a goal to help Princeton defeat Quinnipiac 3-0. It marked the fourth straight game in which DeClerck scored a goal. Her scoring streak was snapped a day later when the Tigers fell 3-1 at Quinnipiac to drop to 4-9-3 overall and 4-7-1 in ECAC Hockey play. Princeton resumes action when it hosts Boston University for a two-game set on December 30 and 31. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

In her first 73 games with the Princeton University women’s hockey team, Keiko DeClerck scored seven goals.

But with Princeton short on numbers this year, junior forward DeClerck realized that she needed to be more productive at the offensive end.  more

December 6, 2017

After Getting Wake-Up Call in Loss to Lehigh, PU Men’s Hoops Needs to Show Fighting Spirit

ON GUARD: Princeton University men’s basketball player Jose Morales shows focus on the defensive end in recent action. Last Wednesday, sophomore guard Morales, a former Hun School standout, contributed eight points, two rebounds, and an assist in 25 minutes off the bench to give the Tigers a spark as they lost 85-76 to Lehigh. Princeton, which dropped to 2-5 with an 80-52 loss at No. 10 Miami last Saturday, plays at George Washington on December 6 before hosting Monmouth on December 12. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

For the Princeton University men’s basketball team, its performance against visiting Lehigh in the first half Wednesday was out of character for the proud program.

The Tigers found themselves trailing the Mountain Hawks 47-25 at intermission, getting outplayed and outworked at both ends of the court. more

PU Men’s Hockey Endures Roller Coaster Week, Aiming for Consistency as It Heads to Arizona State

SEEING AHEAD: Princeton University men’s hockey David Hallisey, right, goes after the puck in recent action. Last Saturday, senior forward Hallisey tallied a goal and an assist in a losing cause as Princeton fell 5-2 to Harvard. The Tigers, now 5-6-1 overall and 3-5-1 ECAC Hockey, are heading west for a two-game set at Arizona State on December 8 and 9. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

It was a roller coaster week for the Princeton University men’s hockey team as it hosted the final three contests of a seven-game homestand.

Princeton started the week by falling 6-2 to Quinnipiac on November 28. more

Battling Hard in 25-13 Loss to No. 5 Lehigh, PU Wrestling Comes Up With Inspirational Effort

IRON MIKE: Princeton University wrestler Mike D’Angelo, right, controls Lehigh’s Ian Brown last Friday at 157 pounds. Junior D’Angelo overcame a 6-0 deficit to prevail 17-7 in the match. D’Angelo’s heroics weren’t enough as Princeton fell 25-13 to fifth-ranked Lehigh. Princeton faces No. 10 Virginia Tech on December 10 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Although the Princeton University wrestling team fell 25-13 to fifth-ranked Lehigh last Friday in its first dual match of the season, Chris Ayres won’t soon forget what he saw on the mat from his athletes.

“I told the guys that there were two matches in that dual that were some of the most inspired I have seen in the wrestlers I have coached,” said Ayres. more

November 29, 2017

Princeton Women’s Hoops Produces 3-1 Start, Thriving as It Deals With Challenging Schedule

DOUBLE THREAT: Princeton University women’s basketball player Bella Alarie heads to the hoop in a game last season. Last Saturday, sophomore star Alarie tallied a game-high 21 points and had 11 rebounds to lead Princeton to a 63-57 win at Davidson. It marked Alarie’s third straight double-double. The Tigers, now 3-1 host Villanova on November 29 and Delaware on December 2. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Looking ahead to the season, Courtney Banghart believed that she had put together a challenging schedule that would force her Princeton University women’s basketball team to compete, and not just play.

Displaying competitive zeal, the Tigers have been up to the task, producing a 3-1 start, topping George Washington (72-52 on November 10) and Seton Hall (85-83 on November 16) and then falling to Georgia Tech (67-56 on November 19) before rebounding with a 63-57 win at Davidson last Saturday. more

PU Women’s Soccer Falls at UCLA in NCAAs, But Historic Run Will Leave Indelible Memories

END OF THE ROAD: Princeton University women’s soccer player Katie Pratt-Thompson boots the ball in NCAA tournament action. Last Saturday, senior star defender and co-captain Pratt-Thompson saw her college career come to an end as 13th-ranked Princeton fell 3-1 at fourth-ranked UCLA in the NCAA quarterfinals. The defeat left the Tigers with a final record of 16-3-1. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Throughout the fall, the players on the Princeton University women’s soccer team proved to be the ultimate road warriors, posting a 7-0 record in regular season away games and then winning two NCAA tournament games in Cary, N.C. on the way to the national quarterfinals. more

Getting a Needed Spark From Much Off the Bench, Princeton Men’s Hoops Breaks Into Win Column

MUCH NEEDED: Princeton University men’s basketball player Sebastian Much dribbles into the paint in recent action. Last Sunday, freshman forward Much scored nine points off the bench to help Princeton defeat Fairleigh Dickinson 83-76 as the Tigers posted their second straight win. Princeton, now 2-3, hosts Lehigh on November 29 before playing at Miami on December 2. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Although Sebastian Much spent most of the first half on the bench as the Princeton University men’s basketball team hosted Lafayette last Wednesday, he still had his head in the game.

“I was feeding off of Richmond [Aririguzoh] because he brought such an intensity to the game,” said freshman forward Much of his sophomore teammate. more

Kuffner Displays His Increased Confidence, Helping PU Men’s Hockey Top Bemidji State

KUFF LINK: Princeton University men’s hockey player Ryan Kuffner races up ice in a 2016-17 game. Last Saturday, junior forward Kuffner tallied a goal and an assist to help Princeton defeat Bemidji State 4-1 and improve to 4-4-1 overall. In upcoming action, the Tigers host Dartmouth on December 1 and Harvard on December 2. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Even though the Princeton University men’s hockey team fell behind Bemidji State 1-0 after just 17 seconds last Friday evening, Ryan Kuffner and his teammates weren’t concerned.

“We have a lot of guys coming back who can skate and move the puck,” said junior forward Kuffner, a 6’1, 195-pound native of Ottawa, Ontario. more

November 22, 2017

Veronneau Displaying Increased Confidence As Princeton Men’s Hockey Moves to 3-3-1

MAX VALUE: Princeton University men’s hockey player Max Veronneau goes after the puck in recent action. Last Friday, junior forward Veronneau tallied two goals and an assist to help Princeton defeat Yale 5-4. The Tigers, who lost 3-0 to Brown a day later to move to 3-3-1 overall and 2-3-1 ECAC Hockey, host Bemidji State for a two-game set this week on November 22 and 24. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Although the Princeton University men’s hockey team was outskated and outworked by Yale in the first period last Friday, Max Veronneau singlehandedly kept the Tigers in the game.

Junior forward Veronneau tallied a goal and assist as the teams were deadlocked at 2-2 after the first period even though the Bulldogs built a 16-6 edge in shots. more

Showing Plenty of Fire but Lacking Consistency, PU Men’s Hoops Falls to BYU in Home Opener

CANNY MOVE: Princeton University men’s basketball player Devin Cannady heads up court last Wednesday in Princeton’s home opener against Brigham Young University. Junior guard Cannady scored a team-high 19 points in a losing cause as the Tigers fell 65-56. On Saturday, Cannady scored 22 points as Princeton lost 71-58 at St. Joseph’s. The Tigers, now 0-3, host Lafayette on November 22 before playing at Fairleigh Dickinson on November 26. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Emotions were running high at Jadwin Gym when the Princeton University men’s basketball team hosted Brigham Young University in its home opener last Wednesday evening.

With 7:06 left in the second half, Princeton head coach Mitch Henderson got ejected from the contest after letting the refs have a piece of his mind. Tiger junior guard Devin Cannady headed over to the home stands and waved his arms, exhorting the fans to raise the volume in support of the Tigers. more

Tiger Women’s Soccer Stuns UNC in NCAAs, Will Head West to Face UCLA in Quarterfinal Clash

GIVING HER ALL: Princeton University women’s soccer player Abby Givens boots the ball in Princeton’s 4-0 win over Monmouth in the opening round of the NCAA tournament earlier this month. Last Sunday, sophomore forward Givens scored the game-winning goal in overtime as Princeton upset North Carolina 2-1 in the NCAA Round of 16. The Tigers, now 16-2-1, play at UCLA, 18-2-2, on November 25 in the NCAA quarters. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

In early September, the Princeton University women’s soccer team traveled to North Carolina and turned heads as it posted wins over two Atlantic Coast Conference foes, N.C. State and Wake Forest.

Last weekend, 13th-ranked Princeton headed back to Tobacco Road for NCAA tournament action and came through again, edging N.C. State on penalty kicks after the teams tied at 1-1 through regulation and two overtimes on Friday in a second-round matchup and then toppled storied and second-ranked North Carolina, the holder of 21 NCAA crowns, in a 2-1 overtime thriller two days later. more

Despite Another Big Day by Record-Breaking Offense, Princeton Football Ends Season by Falling at Dartmouth

SLIPPING AWAY: Princeton University receiver Stephen Carlson, right, tangles with two defenders in recent action as he tries to catch up with a pass. Last Saturday, junior star Carlson made 10 catches for 138 yards and a touchdown in a losing cause as Princeton fell 54-44 at Dartmouth in its season finale. The loss left the Tigers at 5-5 overall and 2-5 Ivy League. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Playing at Dartmouth last Saturday in its season finale. the Princeton University football team’s offense ended things with a bang.

The Tigers rolled up 495 yards of total offense and 27 first downs on the way to tallying 44 points. more

November 17, 2017

Princeton Football Fights Hard in Loss to Yale, Looking to End on High Note at Dartmouth

SPEEDY TIGER: Princeton University football player Tiger Bech tries to elude tacklers from Yale in action last Saturday. Sophomore receiver Bech enjoyed a career day in a losing cause as Princeton fell 35-31 to the Bulldogs. He made six catches for a career-high 175 yards and a touchdown and also piled up a total of 158 yards in kickoff and punt returns. The Tigers, now 5-4 overall and 2-4 Ivy League, conclude their season by playing at Dartmouth (7-2 overall, 4-2 Ivy) on November 18. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Bob Surace had plenty of reason to be angry after his Princeton University football team fell 35-31 to visiting Yale last Saturday.

The defeat marked the fourth time this season that Princeton had suffered a loss in Ivy League play with a chance to win in its final possession. The setback before a crowd of 11, 229 at Powers Field also officially knocked the Tigers, now 5-4 overall and 2-4 Ivy, out of contention for their second straight Ivy title while Yale (8-1 overall, 5-1 Ivy) clinched at least a share of the crown. more

November 15, 2017

Princeton Field Hockey Battles to Bitter End As It Falls to North Carolina in NCAA Quarters

CAROLINA BLUES: Princeton University field hockey player Elise Wong heads up the field in recent action. Last Saturday, junior star Wong scored a goal to help Princeton defeat Virginia 3-2 in overtime in the opening round of the NCAA tournament. A day later, the Tigers’ season came to an end as they fell 3-2 to North Carolina in the NCAA quarters. The Tigers, who entered the tournament ranked 14th nationally, finished with a final record of 12-7. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Playing North Carolina in the NCAA quarterfinals last Sunday, the Princeton University field hockey battled to the last second and beyond. more

Sparked by Asom’s Hot Performance on Chilly Night, PU Women’s Soccer Tops Monmouth in NCAA Opener

CHILLING EFFECT: Princeton University women’s soccer player Mimi Asom, right, goes up for a header last Friday night as the Tigers hosted Monmouth in the opening round of the NCAA tournament. Braving the Arctic blast that hit the area, junior forward Asom heated things up with two goals and an assist to help Princeton prevail 4-0. The Tigers, now 15-2 overall, face North Carolina State (15-5-1) in a second round contest on November 17 in Cary, N.C. It marks a rematch of a regular season game on September 2 which saw the Tigers defeat the Wolfpack 2-0. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

For Mimi Asom, a native of Dallas, Texas, the arctic weather that chilled the area last Friday as the Princeton University women’s soccer team hosted Monmouth in the opening round of the NCAA tournament was a shock to the system. more

Using Navy Experience at Helm of PU Water Polo, Nicolao Adds Another Milestone in Storied Tenure

BATTLE-TESTED: Princeton University water polo head coach Luis Nicolao instructs his men’s squad during a game earlier this season. Former Naval Academy water polo star Nicolao, who served a tour of duty in the Gulf War, recently achieved another milestone in his 19-season tenure guiding both the Tiger men’s and women’s programs as he hit the 400-win mark on the men’s side. He has compiled a 442-149 record in women’s play and is currently at 401-162 for the men. The men’s squad, currently 21-5, will be looking to earn a fifth NCAA berth under Nicolao as it competes in the Northeast Water Polo Conference (NWPC) tournament in Cambridge, Mass. from November 17-19 where it is seeded first. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Luis Nicolao’s office on the deck of DeNunzio Pool at Princeton University exudes a coziness, with framed family portraits of his wife and two daughters sitting on shelves surrounded by an extensive collection of sports bobbleheads and other knick-knacks. more

November 8, 2017

Late Rally Falls Just Short on Disputed TD As Princeton Football Loses 38-35 at Penn

By Bill Alden

With six defensive starters sidelined due to injury, the Princeton University football team was in danger of being run out of Franklin Field by Penn last Saturday.

The Tigers trailed 17-7 at the half as Penn ground out scoring marches of 80 yards, 71 yards, and 53 yards to reel off 17 unanswered points. more

PU Field Hockey Completes 7-0 Ivy Campaign, Headed to Virginia for NCAA Tournament Clash

RYAN’S HOPE: Princeton University field hockey player Ryan McCarthy races up the field in a game earlier this season. Senior star McCarthy has enjoyed a big final campaign for the Tigers, scoring a team-high 15 goals as Princeton went 7-0 in Ivy League play, earning the program’s 25th league crown. The 14th-ranked Tigers, now 11-6 overall, will look to extend their season as they play at No. 4 Virginia (15-4) in the opening round of the NCAA tournament on November 11. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Starting the season by going 1-4 against a gauntlet of Top-25 foes ended up paying dividends for the Princeton University field hockey team.

After edging No. 10 Maryland 2-1 on September 19, the Tigers caught fire, suffering only two more losses over the rest of the regular season and going 7-0 in Ivy League play, earning the program’s 25th league crown. more

Tiger Women’s Soccer Wins Ivy Title Outright, Will Host Monmouth in NCAA Tourney Opener

TOURNEY TIME: Princeton University women’s soccer player Vanessa Gregoire tracks the ball in recent action. Last Saturday, senior midfielder and co-captain Gregoire scored the lone goal as Princeton defeated Penn 1-0. The win by the Tigers and a 0-0 tie between Columbia and Harvard clinched the Ivy League title outright for Princeton as it finished the regular season at 14-2 overall and 6-1 Ivy. The Tigers will now compete in the NCAA tournament where they host Monmouth (15-3-2) in a first-round contest on November 10. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

When the Princeton University women’s soccer team lost 2-0 to Columbia is mid-October, it prompted some soul searching.

“The first day of practice was on Monday and we said there is only one word to describe and that is ‘respond,’” said Princeton head coach Sean Driscoll. more

Coming Off Historic Ivy Title Campaign, Tiger Men’s Basketball Hungry for More

STARTING POINT: Princeton University men’s basketball head coach Mitch Henderson makes a point at the program’s media day last Thursday as Tiger stars, from left, Myles Stephens, Amir Bell, and Devin Cannady listen intently. Princeton, which ran the table last winter in Ivy League play, going 14-0 in regular season action and then winning the league’s inaugural postseason tournament, starts its 2017-18 season by playing at Butler in November 12. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Sparked by a pair of senior stars, Steven Cook and Spencer Weisz, the Princeton University men’s basketball team ran the table last winter in Ivy League play, going 14-0 in regular season action and then winning the league’s inaugural postseason tournament. more

After Up-and-Down Season Last Winter, PU Women’s Hoops Excited to Turn the Page

DRIVEN TO SUCCEED: Princeton University women’s basketball player Leslie Robinson drives to the hoop in a game last season. Senior star and co-captain Robinson will be looking to provide production and leadership in her final campaign for the Tigers. Princeton tips off its 2017-18 season by hosting George Washington on November 10. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Last winter marked the first season that Princeton University women’s basketball team had suffered five Ivy League losses under Courtney Banghart since 2008-09, her second campaign at the helm of the program.

For Princeton head coach Banghart, who guided the Tigers to five Ivy titles in six seasons starting with the 2009-10 season, last year’s ups-and-downs were the product of a squad that didn’t quite mesh. more

Freshman Goalie Ferland Earns 1st Shutout As Princeton Men’s Hockey Ties Colgate 0-0

NET GAIN: Princeton University men’s hockey goalie Ryan Ferland makes a save in recent action. Last Friday, freshman Ferland earned his first career shutout, making 36 saves as Princeton skated to a 0-0 tie against visiting Colgate. The Tigers, now 1-1-1 overall and 1-1 ECAC Hockey, play at Union on November 10 and at Rensselaer on November 11. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Ryan Ferland didn’t feel sharp as he took the ice for the Princeton University men’s hockey team last Friday against visiting Colgate but it didn’t take long for the freshman goalie to get into a rhythm.

“I actually didn’t have a great warm up but I felt good after the first few shots,” said Ferland.  more