GRAND SLAM: Princeton High boys’ soccer player Felipe Matar Grandi goes after the ball in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Group 4 final last Saturday at Franklin High. Senior midfielder and co-captain Matar Grandi helped PHS top Kearny 3-2 as the Tigers won their first state title since 2012 and fourth overall. Matar Grandi tallied a goal as PHS topped Washington Township 4-0 in the state semis on last Wednesday to punch its ticket to the final. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

For Felipe Matar Grandi, some practice made perfect for him as the Princeton High boys’ soccer team hosted Washington Township in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Group 4 state semis last Wednesday afternoon.

With PHS leading Washington 1-0 in the second half, senior midfielder and co-captain Matar Grandi got position near the goal and with a ball flying towards him, he leaped up and headed the ball into the back of the net. more

PEARL JAM: Princeton High girls’ volleyball libero Pearl Agel lofts a pass in state tournament action. Last Sunday, junior Agel contributed 11 digs, six service points, and one assist to help PHS defeat Millburn 2-0 (25-21, 25-12) in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Group 3 final at Franklin High. The Tigers went 30-1 as they earned the first state crown in program history. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

As the libero for the Princeton High girls’ volleyball team, Pearl Agel stands out among her teammates as she wears a different color jersey and can only play on the back row under the rules of the sport.

While some may see the position as somewhat thankless with no chance to get the glory of blasting kills at the net, junior Agel relishes doing the dirty work of diving for digs and setting up her teammates. more

RISING TO THE OCCASION: Princeton Day School girls’ soccer player Ella McLaren, left, heads the ball as PDS battled St. John Vianney in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Non-Public A South tournament. The Panthers went on to win the South tournament and last Friday and earned the Non-Public A title as they defeated Mount St. Dominic 2-0 in the state final at Franklin High. It was the first-ever Non-Public state title for the program. The Panthers finished the fall at 17-2-3. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

For Mackenzie Brodel, it was a prayer answered and a dream come true, while Ella McLaren was rendered speechless.

Sophomores Brodel and McLaren played key roles last Friday night as the Princeton Day School girls’ soccer team defeated Mount St. Dominic 2-0 in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Non-Public A state final at Franklin High. Brodel scored a goal early in the second half to put PDS up 1-0 and McLaren helped anchor a stingy PDS defense that stifled the high-powered Lion attack.

With the foes locked in a scoreless tie headed into the second half, PDS was determined to break through.

“We were just doing the same thing that we always do,” said Brodel. “We were just looking to get the ball in the back of the net.” more

GETTING HIS KICKS: Princeton High boys’ soccer player Archie Smith boots the ball in recent action. Last Saturday, junior midfielder Smith had two assists to help top-seeded PHS defeat second-seeded Howell 5-1 in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Central Jersey Group 4 sectional final. The Tigers, now 20-2, host South Jersey champion Washington Township (18-1-2) on November 8 in the Group 4 state semis with victor advancing to the final on November 11. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

With the Princeton High boys’ soccer team locked in a scoreless draw with Howell in the first half of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Central Jersey Group 4 sectional final last Saturday, Archie Smith won the ball and sprinted down the sideline.

Racing past the Howell defense, junior midfielder Smith slotted a pass to Pasquale Carusone, who buried the feed into the back of the net to put the Tigers up 1-0 in the eighth minute of the contest. more

BIRTHDAY GIFT: Princeton High boys’ soccer player Harvey Smith, left, goes after the ball last Wednesday as top-seededPHS battled fourth-seeded Monroe in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Central Jersey Group 4 sectional semifinals. Freshman midfielder Smith, who was celebrating his 15th birthday that day, scored on a second half free kick to give PHS the margin of victory in a 2-1 triumph. Last Saturday, Smith contributed an assist as PHS defeated second-seeded Howell 5-1 in the sectional final. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Harvey Smith turned 15 last Wednesday and it ended up being a birthday he will never forget.

With the top-seeded Princeton High boys’ soccer team knotted in a 1-1 tie with fourth-seeded Monroe midway through the second half of a NJSIAA Central Jersey Group 4 sectional semifinal clash, freshman midfielder Smith blasted a free kick that caromed off the crossbar and went into the back of the net to put the Tigers up 2-1. more

500 CLUB: Princeton High girls’ volleyball player Naomi Lygas hits a serve in recent action. Last Thursday, sophomore star Lygas totaled a match-high 12 kills, including the 500th kill of her career, to help top-seeded PHS defeat fifth-seeded Brick Memorial 2-0 (25-14, 25-7) in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Central Jersey Group 3 semis. The Tigers, who improved to 27-1 with the win, were slated to host third-seeded Moorestown in the sectional final on November 7. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

For Naomi Lygas and the Princeton High girls’ volleyball team, it proved to be an historic afternoon last Thursday as the Tigers hosted Brick Memorial in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Central Jersey Group 3 semis.

Sophomore outside hitter Lygas starred as top-seeded PHS rolled to a 2-0 (25-14, 25-7) win over the fifth-seeded Mustangs, contributing a match-high 12 kills along with five digs as the Tigers advanced to their second straight sectional final and second in program history. Lygas made some personal history, recording the 500th kill of her career late in the second set.

With PHS having lost 2-1 to Colts Neck in the sectional final last year, the Tiger players were fired up to make a return trip to the title game.

“We always remember what happened last year and how we don’t want a repeat of that again,” said Lygas. “So I think one of our big motives is just continuing to push forward, everybody else wants the same thing and we did. We just have a mindset that we want it more. We want to get as far as we can because we know that we can. It is just important that we get there.” more

MULTITASKING: Allen Bryant competing in soccer and lacrosse during his Princeton High career. Bryant ’10, who starred in both sports as well as indoor track, is being inducted into the 15th class of the Princeton High School Athletic Hall of Fame at a banquet being held this Saturday at the Mercer Oaks Country Club in West Windsor.

By Bill Alden

When Allen Bryant entered Princeton High in 2006, he wasn’t focused on what he could achieve in his athletic career.

“I looked up to the seniors when I was a freshman,” said Bryant, noting that he was particularly inspired by one of those seniors, Tyler Moni, who went on to play for the Princeton University men’s lacrosse program. “The reality is that I didn’t have any specific goals, just to do the best I possibly could.” more

FINAL RUN: Princeton Day School girls’ cross country runner Emily McCann shows her form in a race last fall. Last Saturday, senior star and Northeastern commit McCann placed sixth in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Non-Public A girls’ meet at Holmdel Park to earn a spot in the upcoming NJSIAA Meet of Champions. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Justin Feil

Emily McCann will compete in the Meet of Champions (MOC) girls’ cross country race for the third straight year this Saturday at Holmdel Park.

The Princeton Day School senior qualified the last two years as a wild card entrant out of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Non-Public Group A division, meaning she had to wait a day after the group races to find out she was officially in. This year, McCann made things official on race day by finishing sixth in New Non-Public A girls’ meet to earn one of the 10 automatic entries to the MOC. more

SAVING THE DAY: Princeton Day School girls’ soccer goalie Shelby Ruf clears the ball last Wednesday as fifth-seeded PDS hosted eighth-seeded St. John Vianney in the semifinal round of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) South Jersey Non-Public A Tournament. Junior goalie Ruf made a clutch save in a penalty kick shootout as the Panthers advanced to the final. PHS, who moved to 16-3-2, with win were slated to play at third-seeded Trinity Hall in the final on November 7. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

As the Princeton Day School girls’ soccer goalie Shelby Ruf got ready to face the third shot from St. John Vianney in a penalty kick shootout last Friday in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) South Jersey Non-Public A semis, her teammates shouted encouragement.

But junior Ruf tuned them out as she focused on the task at hand.

“I just went in there open-minded, pick a side, stick with it and do your best; I know my team has my back,” said Ruf. “Most girls are righty and most of time times they are going to open their hips so I just went for a side.” more

REACHING OUT: Princeton Day School field hockey player Kelly Christie, left, goes after the ball in a game earlier this season. Last Wednesday, senior star Christie tallied a goal to help third-seeded PDS defeat sixth-seeded Academy of St. Elizabeth 5-0 in the quarterfinal round of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) North Jersey Non-Public Tournament. The Panthers went on to lose 7-2 to second-seeded Pingry in the semifinals last Saturday to end the fall with a 15-4-1 record. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

It was Kelly Christie’s last appearance on Smoyer Field for the Princeton Day School field hockey team, but she was determined that it wouldn’t turn out to be the final game of her career.

As third-seeded PDS hosted sixth-seeded Academy of St. Elizabeth in the quarterfinal round of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) North Jersey Non-Public Tournament last Wednesday, senior star Christie and her teammates were fired up to keep their season going. more

NICK OF TIME: Princeton High boys’ soccer player Nick Matese, left, battles a foe in a game earlier this season. Senior center back and co-captain Matese has helped PHS get off to a superb start in state tournament action. Competing in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Central Jersey Group 4 tournament, the top-seeded Tigers defeated 16th-seeded Montgomery 4-0 in a first round contest on October 25 and then blanked eighth-seeded Jackson Memorial 3-0 in a quarterfinal last Saturday. PHS, now 18-2, hosts fourth-seeded Monroe in the semifinals on November 1 with the victor advancing to the sectional final on November 4. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

While Nick Matese was frustrated when the Princeton Hugh boys’ soccer team got edged 2-1 by nationally-ranked Pennington in the Mercer County Tournament final on October 21, he saw the squad’s performance as a plus going into the state tournament.

“After the game we were really disappointed but we were really proud with our effort, especially in the second half,” said PHS senior defender and co-captain Matese. “I was really impressed, especially with our midfield. They went toe-to-toe with those guys, it was unbelievable. We played some of the best we have played this year. We want to be snowballing wins going into the playoffs, but having that kind of confidence boosting that we can play with the best of the best  was a good thing.”

As the top-seeded Tigers hosted 16th-seeded Montgomery last Wednesday in the first round of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Central Jersey Group 4 sectional, Matese and his teammates were determined to take care of business and get back on the winning track. more

RISING FORCE: Princeton High girls’ volleyball player Naomi Lygas follows through on a hit in recent action. Last week, sophomore star Lygas helped PHS defeat Notre Dame 2-0 (25-19, 25-15) in the Burlington County Scholastic League (BCSL) tournament final. Lygas contributed 11 kills and eight digs in the October 24 match as PHS improved to 25-1. The Tigers will now start play in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Central Jersey Group 3 tournament where they are seeded first and were slated to host ninth-seeded Colts Neck in a quarterfinal contest on October 31 with victor advancing to the semis on November 2. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Rolling to a 2-0 win (25-10, 25-15) over Northern Burlington in Burlington  County Scholastic League (BCSL) tournament semis, the Princeton High girls’ volleyball was primed to close the deal when it hosted Notre Dame in the final last week.

“The girls have been in a good place, we have two months of matches under our belts,” said PHS head coach Patty Manhart. “We were happy with how they played against Northern Burlington.”

But Manhart was not happy with how the Tigers started in the final against Notre Dame, a team it had already defeated twice in regular season. more

FINAL PUSH: Princeton Day School girls’ soccer player Adriana Salzano, left, controls the ball in a game earlier this season. Last Friday, senior star and Monmouth commit Salzano tallied a goal and an assist as fifth-seeded PDS topped 12th-seeded Donovan Catholic 4-1 in the first round of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) South Jersey Non-Public A tournament. The Panthers, who improved to 14-3-1 with the win, were slated to host 13th-seeded Mount St. Mary in the quarterfinals on October 31 with the victor advancing to the semis on November 2. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

For Adriana Salzano, her stellar career with the Princeton Day School girls’ soccer team reached the do-or-die stage last Friday as the squad started play in the Non-Public A South Jersey tournament.

With PDS having lost 1-0 to Steinert in the Mercer County Tournament quarterfinals and having been edged by the Blair Academy in a shootout in the quarterfinal round of the Prep state tourney, senior star midfielder Salzano was down to her last competition as a Panther when the team hosted Donovan Catholic last Friday to open play in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) South Jersey Non-Public A tournament.

“This is knockout, win or go home; we knew that we needed to come out here and kill the game immediately,” said Salzano. “That was our main goal, come out with fire and intensity and get it done.” more

FRESH APPROACH: Princeton Day School girls’ tennis player Prisha Tiwari smacks a forehand in a match this fall. Last week, freshman Tiwari advanced to the third singles final at the Prep B state tournament, helping the Panthers take second in the team standings behind champion Montclair Kimberley Academy. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

With powerhouse Montclair Kimberley Academy returning to the Prep B state girls’ tennis tournament this fall after not competing in the event last year, the Princeton Day School squad faced a challenge as it went after the title.

While MKA, ranked third in the state by NJ.com, advanced to final in all five flights of the competition, PDS was not far behind as made four finals.

Unable to overcome the Cougars’ advantage, the Panthers did produce a major highlight as the second doubles pair of Kavita Amin and Zarna Kalra won their flight. MKA totaled 14 points to win the team title with PDS amassing 10 to take second in the competition which wrapped up last Wednesday at Wardlaw-Hartridge. more

RAMMING IT HOME: Princeton High field hockey player Mia Ramirez, right, controls the ball in a game earlier this season. Junior star Ramirez scored the game-winning goal in overtime as top-seeded PHS edged fourth-seeded Allentown 4-3 in the Mercer County Tournament semifinals last Thursday evening. The Tigers went on to fall to second-seeded Hun in the MCT final last Monday in a penalty shootout after the foes tied 3-3 through regulation and 20 minutes of overtime. PHS, now 13-2, will next be competing in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Central Jersey Group 4 sectional where it is seeded second and will host 15th-seeded Montgomery in a first round contest on October 27. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

After losing 1-0 to Allentown on October 13 to suffer its first defeat of the fall, the Princeton High field hockey team was fired up when the rivals met for a rematch in the Mercer County Tournament semifinals last Thursday evening.

“When we lost to them the last time, it was just an off day,” said junior forward Ramirez. “We had possession the entire time — their goalie (Kylie Elefante) had so many saves and we couldn’t take advantage of our opportunities. Today we knew what we had to do.”

The Tigers didn’t waste any time finding the back of the cage in the game played at Lawrence High, jumping out to a 2-0 lead on goals by Delaney Keegan and Leah Rose-Seiden. more

GRAND FINAL: Princeton High boys’ soccer player Felipe Matar Grandi, right, controls the ball in recent action. Last Saturday, senior midfielder/forward Matar Grandi scored a second half goal for second-seeded PHS as it fell 2-1 to top-seeded and undefeated Pennington in the Mercer County Tournament final last Saturday. PHS, now 16-2, will now be competing in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Central Jersey Group 4 sectional where it is seeded first and will host 16th-seeded Montgomery in a first round contest on October 25. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

For the Princeton High boys’ soccer team, it was a test that it had been shooting for all fall.

Going 16-1 with 15 shutouts, PHS was on a collision course with undefeated and nationally-ranked Pennington and the powerhouses met in the Mercer County Tournament final last Saturday.

Heading into contest played at Hopewell Valley High, the second-seeded Tigers were undaunted by the prospect of taking on the top-seeded and high-powered Red Hawks, who came into the day at 12-0 with 72 goals for and just three against. more

BRIGHT STAR: Princeton High boys’ soccer player Azariah Breitman, left, gets ready to boot the ball against Steinert in the Mercer County Tournament semis last Wednesday. Junior Breitman scored the lone goal in the contest as PHS prevailed 1-0. The second-seeded Tigers went on lose 2-1 to undefeated and top-seeded Pennington in the final last Saturday as they moved to 16-2 in the season. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Azariah Breitman and the rest of the attack on the Princeton High boys’ soccer team struggled to find a rhythm in the early going against Steinert in Mercer County Tournament semis last Wednesday.

Second-seeded PHS found itself knotted in a scoreless stalemate with the third-seeded Spartans at halftime of the contest played at Hopewell Valley.

“The first half was really a struggle,” said junior midfielder/forward Breitman. “We had a few chances but we were just lacking all of the composure. Every time we got the ball we just booted it.” more

ALL IN: Hun School field hockey player Ali Ieva, right, dribbles the ball upfield last Monday in the Mercer County Tournament final as Leah Rose-Seiden of Princeton High defends her. Senior forward Ieva tallied a goal and an assist in the final as second-seeded Hun edged top-seeded Princeton High 2-1 in a penalty shootout after the foes tied 3-3 through regulation and 20 minutes of overtime. It marked the first outright county crown for the Raiders, who improved to 13-3 with the win. In upcoming action, Hun will be pursuing another championship as it competes in the Prep state tourney where it is seeded third and hosting sixth-seeded Blair Academy in a semifinal contest on October 25. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Ali Ieva wasn’t fazed when the Hun School field hockey team found itself trailing Princeton High 2-0 early in the Mercer County Tournament final last Monday evening.

“We have been in this situation before, we know how it goes,” said senior forward and co-captain Ieva. “We just come out with a lot of grit. We wanted it so bad. We haven’t been in here since 1994 and we wanted to make history.”

The second-seeded Raiders displayed grit, scoring three straight goals to forge ahead of top-seeded PHS heading into the fourth quarter.

Ieva tallied the go-ahead goal with 2:55 left in the third quarter. more

BROX TALE: Wilberforce School boys’ cross country star Caleb Brox heads to the finish line at the Mercer County Championships last Thursday at Thompson Park in Jamesburg. Senior Brox placed first individually in the boys’ meet, covering the 5,000-meter course in a time of 16:44.10. Brox became the first Wilberforce runner to win an individual title at the county meet and helped the Wolverine boys take sixth in the team standings. (Photo provided by Lois Szeliga)

By Bill Alden

Coming into this fall, Caleb Brox was fit and fast as he headed into his senior season for the Wilberforce School boys’ cross country team.

“I was probably running 45 miles a week most weeks, trying to get a tempo run in on Monday,” said Brox. “That was the staple. When preseason started, I was running faster time trials than I had the year before.”

But Brox hit a roadblock as he took ill early in the school year.

“I got sick starting in September and then into mid-October, I was still coughing,” said Brox. “I decided to not race at all and really try to recover. Last season I had also gotten sick early.” more

BE-LINE: Hun School field hockey player Phoebe Thielmann, right, goes after the ball in recent action. Last Thursday, junior star Thielmann scored a goal to help second-seeded Hun defeat sixth-seeded Lawrence High 2-0 in the Mercer County Tournament semis. On Monday, Thielmann tallied two goals as Hun edged top-seeded Princeton High in the MCT final in a penalty shootout after the foes tied 3-3 through regulation and 20 minutes of overtime. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Phoebe Thielmann sees herself as a catalyst for the Hun School field hockey team.

“I have been focusing more on distributing towards the outside, so once it comes to me, to get it right off,” said junior co-captain Thielmann. “I have been working on quick skill.”

As second-seeded Hun faced sixth-seeded Lawrence High in the Mercer County Tournament semis last Thursday, Thielmann got Hun off to a quick start, tallying a goal midway through the first quarter to give the Raiders a 1-0 lead.

“Lawrence was a great team, they were prepared,” said Thielmann. “Our mindset was to get a score in the first five minutes — we really just wanted to start off on a good foot. I just saw my shot, I saw the opening. I had to go for it.”

Thielmann’s tally set the tone as Hun posted a 2-0 win, earning its first trip to the MCT final since 1994. more

CRUNCH TIME: Princeton High boys’ soccer player Jamie Reynolds, right, thwarts a foe in recent action. Senior defender Reynolds has helped key a superb back line for PHS which has gone 15-1 with 14 shutouts. Last Monday, the second-seeded Tigers topped seventh-seeded Allentown 6-0 in the quarterfinal round of the Mercer County Tournament. PHS will face third-seeded Steinert in the MCT semis on October 18 at Hopewell Valley with the victor advancing to the final on October 21, also at HoVal. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Jamie Reynolds’ ultimate career goal is to jump out of airplanes for an elite military unit.

“The ROTC U.S. Army is my main focus, I am looking to go to the University of Richmond as an ROTC officer,” said Reynolds. “Going into the U.S. Army as a paratrooper for the 82nd Airborne, that is my dream unit.”

This fall, senior defender Reynolds has been focusing on helping the Princeton High boys’ soccer team fly high as it has enjoyed a dream season, getting off to a 15-1 start.

Last Thursday, Reynolds and the Tigers achieved the first of their goals for the season, clinching a Colonial Valley Conference title as they rolled to a 5-0 win over WW/P-North. more

GETTING HIS KICKS: Princeton High football player Carmine Carusone boots the ball in recent action. Last Friday night, sophomore defensive back/running back Carusone kicked a 27-yard field goal to give PHS its only points as it fell 7-3 to the West Windsor-Plainsboro United football co-op. The Tigers, now 4-4, play at Palmyra on October 21. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Evan Pease put in extra work over the summer to get ready for his senior season on the Princeton High football team.

Doing offseason training with teammate and fellow senior Tyler Goldberg, Pease gained strength and confidence.

“We were lifting every day at his house,” said running back/linebacker Pease.

“It was 5 a.m. lifts then straight into 7 a.m. practice. We came back as a new breed.” more

IN FORM: Princeton High girls’ tennis player Lada Labas works on her strokes before a match last year. Junior Labas has excelled at second singles this fall, helping second-seeded PHS enjoy another big run in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Central Jersey Group 3 sectional. The Tigers were slated to play at top-seeded WW/P-North in the sectional final on October 17 with the winner advancing to the Group 3 state semis on October 19 at the Mercer County Park tennis facility. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

As the most battle-tested singles player for the Princeton High girls’ tennis team, Lada Labas has seen her game mature.

“I feel like my consistency has gotten a lot better along with  my placement of shots,” said junior Labas. “That is what I use to my advantage, I try to move the girl around.”

Last week as PHS started play in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Central Jersey Group 3 sectional, Labas displayed that consistency as she rolled to a 6-0, 6-2 win at second singles as the second-seeded Tigers topped seventh-seeded Jackson Memorial 5-0 in a quarterfinal contest on October 9. more