TITLE TIME: Members of the Hun School boys’ lacrosse team celebrate after they defeated Lawrenceville B 9-8 in the Prep state final last Thursday. The Raiders ended the spring with a final record of 7-13. (Photo by Bill Alden)

By Bill Alden

Luke Donahue wasn’t fazed as the Hun School boys’ lacrosse team found itself trailing Lawrenceville B 2-0 in the first quarter of the Prep state championship game last Thursday.

“It seems to be a theme this year, we take the first punch but this group of guys are some of the grittiest kids I have ever met and played with,” said Hun senior midfielder Donahue. “We have been battle-tested throughout the year with such a difficult schedule that we are really ready for anything they throw our way.” more

TURNING THE CORNER: Hun School baseball player T.J. Francis races home in a game last spring. Last Sunday, junior outfielder Francis went 2 for 4 with one run, one RBI, and two triples as top-seeded Hun fell 7-4 to fourth-seeded Peddie in the Prep A state semifinals. The Raiders finished the spring with a 15-7 record. (Photo by Steven Wojtowicz)

By Bill Alden

With the Hun School baseball team trailing Peddie 7-3 in the bottom of the seventh inning in the Prep A state semifinals last Sunday afternoon, T.J. Francis wasn’t about to give up.

Junior outfielder Francis ripped a triple to left center field to drive in T.J. Tift. more

FINAL CUT: Hun School softball player Brianna Riviello makes contact in a game earlier this spring. Last Thursday, senior third baseman Riviello went 2 for 3 with one RBI as second-seeded Hun fell 3-2 to third-seeded Lawrenceville in the Prep A state semis. The loss left the Raiders with a final record of 14-2. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Brianna Riviello and her teammates on the Hun School softball team knew they were in for a scrap as they faced rival Lawrenceville for a third time this spring in the Prep A states semis last Thursday evening.

“We were expecting a tough battle but I think we were prepared,” said senior third baseman Riviello. “We practice hard enough.” more

TOP CAT: Princeton University men’s lacrosse player Coulter Mackesy prepares to unload the ball in a game earlier this season. Last Saturday, senior attacker Mackesy tallied one and four assists to help third-seeded Princeton defeat Towson 22-12 in the opening round of the NCAA tournament. Mackesy’s goal was historic as his tally marked the 164th of his career and broke Jesse Hubbard’s all-time program record. The Tigers, now 13-3, will face sixth-seeded Syracuse (12-5) in the NCAA quarterfinals on May 17 at Hempstead, N.Y. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

It turned out to be a bit of a Lynyrd Skynyrd concert at the Class of 1952 Stadium last Saturday when the Princeton University men’s lacrosse team hosted Towson in the opening round of the NCAA tournament.

With the loudspeaker blasting the Skynyrd classic “Free Bird” to serenade Princeton goals, the tune was ringing in the fans’ ears as the third-seeded Tigers rolled to a 22-12 win over Towson before a crowd of 1,736. more

SLIDING IN: Princeton High boys’ lacrosse player Braden Barlag fires a shot from his knees in a game earlier this season. Last week, senior attacker Barlag scored a last-second goal to help PHS edge Hun 10-9 in overtime on May 6. Last Saturday, Barlag tallied four goals to help fourth-seeded PHS defeat fifth-seeded Robbinsville 11-5 in the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) tournament quarterfinals. The Tigers, now 10-6, were slated to play at top-seeded Hopewell Valley in the CVC semis on May 13 with the victor advancing to the final on May 15 at HoVal. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

After suffering a 16-5 loss to Allentown on May 3, the Princeton High boys’ lacrosse team did a re-set as it prepared to face crosstown rival Hun last week.

“Yesterday’s practice changed everything,” said PHS senior attacker Braden Barlag. “We got our mind on the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) tournament starting this week. It was just keeping that positive energy.” more

SOUNDING OFF: Princeton Day School boys’ lacrosse head coach Sam Kosoff, center, makes a point to his players in a game earlier this season. Last Saturday, sixth-seeded PDS edged third-seeded Allentown 5-3 in the quarterfinal round of the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) tournament. The Panthers, who moved to 6-7 with a 10-5 loss to Montclair Kimberley Academy in the Prep Tournament semis last Monday, were slated to face second-seeded Notre Dame in the CVC semis on May 13 with the victor advancing to the final on May 15 at Hopewell Valley. In addition, the Panthers will be hosting Northern Burlington on May 16 in a regular season contest. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Wyatt Ewanchyna was fired up to hit the field for the Princeton Day School boys’ lacrosse team as it hosted WW/P-North last Thursday in the opening round of the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) tournament.

“All of these kids are hockey kids and we have already been through a heartbreaker this year,” said senior defender Ewanchyna, referring to a 2-1 overtime loss to Don Bosco this winter in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Non-Public quarterfinal round. “We were really pumped to get into another tournament together.” more

NO DOUBT: Princeton Day School baseball player Santino Cignarella takes a swing in a 2024 game. Last Thursday, senior shortstop Cignarella went 1 for 2 with a run as eighth-seeded PDS edged top-seeded Montclair Kimberley Academy 2-1 in the Prep B state quarterfinals. The Panthers, who fell 17-0 to Notre Dame last Saturday in the first round of the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) tournament to move to 7-12, were slated to play at fourth-seeded Pennington in the Prep B semis on May 13 with the victor advancing to the final on May 15 at Diamond Nation in Flemington. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

In 2024, the Princeton Day School baseball team started 0-9 but produced a late surge, winning four of its last five games, including the program’s first-ever victory in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Non-Public tournament.

History is repeating itself this spring as the Panthers lost their first nine games only to respond with a 7-3 run, earning a spot in the Prep B state semis along the way. more

SPOILS OF VICTORY: Members of the Princeton High boys’ golf team show off the T-shirts and plaque they earned for placing first in the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Open Championship last Thursday at the Mercer Oaks Golf Course (West) in West Windsor. PHS senior star Walter Gumbinger placed first individually with a three-under 69. The Tigers went on to place eighth in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) North Jersey Group 3 Sectional last Monday at the Flanders Valley Golf Course in Flanders. Pictured, from left, are Phineas Choe, Andrew Spies, Kona McAlester, Walter Gumbinger, Owen Barry, and head coach Patrick Noone.

By Bill Alden

While the Princeton High boys’ golf team has featured several new faces on its lineup this spring, there was a key constant in senior star Walter Gumbinger.

“One of Walter’s goals was understanding that everyone is new and making them welcome and letting them know the expectations and how the team and the program is,” said PHS head coach Patrick Noone. more

RAISING THE BAR: Princeton High girls’ lacrosse player Clare Barlag heads upfield in a game earlier this spring. Last Wednesday, sophomore attacker Barlag scored a career-high four goals to help PHS defeat Robbinsville 13-10. On Monday, Barlag chipped in one goal as fifth-seeded PHS defeated 12th-seeded Lawrence 16-4 in the opening round of the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Tournament. The Tigers, now 9-6, will play at fourth-seeded Hopewell Valley on May 7 in a CVC quarterfinal contest with the victor advancing to the semis on May 9 at Allentown. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

For Clare Barlag, a pair of ankle injuries last spring ruined her freshman season for the Princeton High girls’ lacrosse team.

Barlag was limited to some scrimmages in 2024 and appeared in one game before getting sidelined for the rest of the campaign. more

WILL TO WIN: Hun School baseball player Will Kraemer takes a cut in a 2024 game. Last week, senior shortstop Kraemer went 3 for 4 with a triple, four runs, and three RBIs to help power Hun to a 12-2 win over Allentown. The Raiders, who topped the Blair Academy 11-0 last Saturday in improving to 12-5, host Archbishop Spalding (Md.) on May 7, play at Poly Prep (N.Y.) on May 9 and then host King’s Christian on May 10. In addition, the Raiders will be starting play in the Prep A state tournament on May 12. (Photo by Steven Wojtowicz)

By Bill Alden

Playing for Great Britain last summer in the U18 Baseball European Championship in Regensburg, Germany has helped Will Kraemer star this spring for the Hun School baseball team.

“I think the European thing definitely helped me a lot, just playing in bigger moments helped me be ready for every single game this year,” said Hun senior shortstop Kraemer. “I took last year as a learning experience. I went though some struggles at the plate. It is my senior year, so it is play with a lot of fun and confidence. I think I have done a pretty good job so far.” more

STEPPING UP: Hun School boys’ lacrosse player Jake Beck, left, heads to goal in a 2024 game. Last Thursday, junior attacker/midfielder Beck tallied three goals with two assists to help sixth-seeded Hun defeat 11th-seeded Oratory Prep 15-1 in the first round of the Prep state tournament. The Raiders, who moved to 4-12 with an 8-6 loss to the Perkiomen School (Pa.) last Saturday, play at third-seeded Pennington in the Prep quarterfinal round on May 8. In addition, Hun will be playing at St. Augustine Prep on May 10 in a regular season contest. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Coming into this spring, Jake Beck realized that he would have to shoulder more responsibility for the Hun School boys’ lacrosse team.

“I haven’t had the same weapons that I have been playing with, with the older guys like [Brendan] Marino and [Danny] Cano,” said junior attacker/midfielder Beck. “I am definitely stepping into some big shoes. We have had some great guys here so it has been tough.” more

DOUBLE PLAY: Princeton High boys’ tennis first doubles player Tacto Yamada hits a volley as partner Shaan Zaveri looks on last Wednesday in the final of the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Tournament. The pair of Yamada and Zaveri topped Rohan Ramachandran and Shriyan Kumar of WW/P-South 7-6, 5-7 (10-2) in the first doubles final. PHS ended up falling just short of the team title as WW/P-S piled up 26.5 points with the Tigers scoring 26. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Earlier this month, the Princeton High boys’ tennis first doubles pair of Shaan Zaveri and Tacto Yamada suffered a straight-set defeat against WW/P-South in a regular season matchup.

Last Wednesday, the duo of Zaveri and Yamada were looking to turn the tables on South’s Rohan Ramachandran and Shriyan Kumar as the foes met in a rematch in the first doubles final of the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Tournament. more

By Bill Alden

Wearing a black surgical mask and dealing with a nagging cough, Princeton High boys’ tennis player Andrew Kuo wasn’t sure he could make it through the second singles final last Wednesday afternoon at the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Tournament.

“It was a struggle at times, it was hard to breathe,” said junior star Kuo. “It was probably allergies mixed with a cold, the allergies probably made the symptoms worse.”

But as Kuo battled Prahalad Dharma of WW/P-South at the Mercer County Tennis Complex, he relied on some literary inspiration to help him press on. more

NO QUIT: Princeton High baseball player Nano Sarceno takes a cut in game earlier this season. Last Thursday, senior standout Sarceno went 2-for-3 with a double and one RBI in a losing cause as PHS fell 16-5 to Hightstown. The Tigers, who lost 12-8 to Somerville last Monday to move to 6-7, play at Hamilton West on May 1, at Ewing on May 2, and at Montgomery on May 6. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Nano Sarceno was looking to be a catalyst for the Princeton High baseball team as it hosted Hightstown last Thursday.

Batting third for PHS, senior Sarceno belted a double to left field in the bottom of the first inning and advanced to third base on an error. more

THIRD HAND: Princeton Day School boys’ tennis player Jaylen Peng hits a forehand as he competed in the Colonial Valley Conference Tournament last week. Senior Peng placed third at third singles to help PDS finish seventh in the team standings at the event. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

While Jaylen Peng has done some big things over the years for the Princeton Day School boys’ tennis team, he achieved a breakthrough last week at the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Tournament.

Senior Peng advanced to the semifinals at third singles and ended up taking third in the flight for his best-ever finish in the county competition as he defeated Tanush Mendhirata of Hightstown 6-3, 6-4 at the Mercer County Tennis Complex. (The Mercer County Tournament Association announced last spring that it was discontinuing county tournaments in favor of a CVC Tournament, which bars local private schools who are not members of the conference.) more

RUF RIDER: Princeton Day School girls’ lacrosse player Shelby Ruf heads to goal last Friday against Peddie. Senior attacker and Merrimack College commit Ruf tallied two goals and one assist in the game as PDS prevailed 13-9. The Panthers, who defeated WW/P-South 11-4 last Monday in improving to 4-5, host Notre Dame on April 30 before playing at St. Elizabeth in a Prep B state quarterfinal contest on May 6. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Shelby Ruf wasn’t the go-to scorer for the Princeton Day School girls’ lacrosse last spring as a trio of senior stars led the way for the Panthers.

But with those three standouts, Tessa Caputo, Kelly Christie, and Jesse Hollander, having graduated, senior Ruf knew she had to take a leading role for the Panthers this spring. more

DODGE BALL: Princeton High boys’ lacrosse player Brendan Beatty looks to dodge a defender in a game earlier this season. Last week, senior midfielder and University of Vermont commit Beatty tallied four goals and two assists in a losing cause as PHS fell 13-8 to Notre Dame. The Tigers, who defeated Montgomery 13-5 last Saturday in improving to 5-4, host Hightstown on April 24, play at WW/P-North on April 26, and then host Hopewell Valley in April 29. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Brendan Beatty fired in a pair of goals as the Princeton High boys’ lacrosse team jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first five minutes of its clash at Notre Dame last week.

PHS senior midfielder Beatty and his teammates were hoping that history would repeat itself as the Tigers built an early 3-0 lead in its 2024 meeting with the Irish on the way to a 21-11 win.  more

COMING IN CONTACT: Princeton High softball player Natalie Hester makes contact in a game last season. Junior star shortstop and Rutgers commit Hester is batting .312 with six RBIs to provide a spark for PHS. The Tigers, who lost 14-2 to Monroe last Monday to move to 1-5, host Robbinsville on April 24 and Holy Cross Prep on April 26 before playing at Hightstown on April 28. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Even though the Princeton High softball team trailed Monroe 14-2 in the bottom of the fifth inning last Monday and faced getting run-ruled, Natalie Hester wasn’t about to give up.

PHS junior shortstop Hester legged out an infield grounder to get on base and proceeded to steal second and third. more

MURPHY’S LAW: Hun School softball pitcher Anna Murphy fires a pitch in recent action. Last Thursday, senior Murphy produced a stellar effort in the circle as Hun defeated the Blair Academy 6-1, striking out eight and giving up five hits with no walks. Hun went on to sweep Mercersburg Academy (Pa.) in a doubleheader last Saturday, prevailing 7-2 and 10-6. The Raiders, who improved to 8-0 with the wins, host Lawrence High on April 26 and the Peddie School on April 29. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Anna Murphy patiently waited for her chance to be the ace of the pitching staff for the Hun School softball team and she is determined to make the most of that opportunity.

“I have definitely been looking forward to it since freshman year with Lexi here and everything, it is big shoes to fill,” said senior right-hander Murphy, referring to former Hun record-breaking standout Lexi Kobryn, who is now pitching for the Villanova University softball team. more

STOWE AWAY: Hun School girls’ lacrosse player Emma Stowe looks to unload the ball in recent action. Last Wednesday, junior midfielder Stowe scored two goals in a losing cause as Hun fell 18-4 to the Hill School (Pa.). The Raiders, who lost 13-12 to the Mercersburg Academy (Pa.) last Saturday to move to 0-9, play at the Shipley School (Pa.) on April 24 before hosting the Blair Academy on April 26. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

In taking the helm of the Hun School girls’ lacrosse team this spring, Samantha Schwartz’s coaching approach has centered on one main theme.

“The thing that I have been driving home with our girls is that everything is effort-based,” said Schwartz, who joined the Hun program midway through last spring as an assistant coach and previously had stints coaching club in New York, Michigan, Texas and Pennsylvania, and high school coaching in Michigan and Texas. more

ON THE BALL: Princeton University women’s lacrosse player Meg Morrisroe, right, goes after the ball in recent action. Last Saturday, sophomore attacker Morrisroe scored a goal to help Princeton defeat Columbia 17-6 and earn its 11th straight win. The No. 5 Tigers, now 11-1 overall and 4-0 Ivy League, play at No. 18 Penn (6-5 overall, 2-2 Ivy) on April 16 and then host No. 17 Brown (10-3 overall, 4-1 Ivy) on April 19 as the program holds its annual Senior Day celebration. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Coming into its game against visiting Columbia last Saturday, the No. 5 Princeton University women’s lacrosse team was clicking on all cylinders.

The sizzling Tigers brought a 10-game winning streak into the contest, having started the week by topping No. 19 Stony Brook 19-13 last Wednesday. more