November 13, 2024

PU Men’s Hockey Shows Flashes on Opening Weekend But Goes 0-2 in First Action Under New Coach Syer

By Bill Alden

Playing in its first game under new head coach Ben Syer, the Princeton University men’s hockey team put on quite a show as it hosted Harvard in its season opener last Friday.

Battling the Crimson in a back-and-forth contest before a standing-room only crowd of 2,352 at Hobey Baker Rink, Princeton jumped out to a 2-1 lead and then rallied from a 3-2 deficit to force overtime before falling 4-3.

Heading into its game against Dartmouth a night later, the Tigers were looking to build on their effort against Harvard. more

After Finding a Home with PHS Girls’ Cross Country, Karra Helps Tigers Win Their 1st-Ever Group 4 State Title

GROUP LEADERS: Members of the Princeton High girls’ cross country team show off the hardware they won for placing first in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Group 4 state meet last Saturday at Holmdel Park. It was the first Group 4 title in program history. The Tigers will next be in action when they compete in the NJSIAA Meet of Champions on November 16 at Holmdel Park.

By Justin Feil

Kajol Karra was looking for a new start and a positive community when she joined the girls’ cross country team last fall in her first year at Princeton High.

A year later, she’s helping to pace the Tigers’ historic season.

Junior standout Karra placed eighth individually to lead PHS to its first New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Group 4 state championship at Holmdel Park on Saturday. more

Looking Dominant as it Pursues a 2nd Straight State Title, 25-1 PHS Girls’ Volleyball Rolls Into Sectional Final

HITTING THEIR STRIDE: Princeton High girls’ volleyball player Kaelin Bobetich goes up for a big hit in recent action. Last Friday, junior star Bobetich contributed nine kills, five digs, and two blocks to help top-seeded PHS defeat fourth-seeded Jackson Memorial 2-0 (25-9, 25-8) in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Central Jersey Group 3 sectional semis. The Tigers, who improved to 25-1 with the win, were slated to host third-seeded Middletown South (22-6) in the sectional final on November 12 with the victor advancing to the Group 3 state semis on November 14. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Many coaches aim to have their teams peaking as they head into postseason action but not Patty Manhart.

Having guided her Princeton High girls’ volleyball team to the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Group 3 state title last season and the squad to a 25-1 record this fall and a spot in the Central Jersey Group 3 sectional final, PHS head coach Manhart strives to have her players clicking on all cylinders any time they step on the court. more

Senior Breitman Comes Up Big for PHS Boys’ Soccer As Tigers Top New Brunswick to Make Sectional Semis

STEPPING UP: Princeton High boys’ soccer player Azariah Breitman goes after the ball in a 2023 game. Last Friday, senior star Breitman scored two goals to help third-seeded PHS defeat 11th-seeded New Brunswick 3-0 in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Central Jersey Group 4 sectional quarterfinals. The Tigers, who improved to 16-2-4 in the win, were slated to play at second-seeded Manalapan in the sectional semis on November 12 with the victor advancing to the final on November 15. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

As the Princeton High boys’ soccer team battled New Brunswick in the first half of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Central Jersey Group 4 sectional quarterfinals last Friday, Azariah Breitman implored his teammates to pick up the intensity.

Yelling “Let’s go boys, energy” at various points, PHS senior striker Breitman made several forays into the box to no avail in the early going as the third-seeded Tigers were locked in a scoreless draw with an upset-minded 11th-seeded New Brunswick. more

PHS Girls’ Soccer Sees Cinderella Run End, Losing to Montgomery in Sectional Quarters

HEADY PLAY: Princeton High girls’ soccer player Romy Johnson, right, heads the ball last Thursday as PHS played at Montgomery in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Central Jersey Group 4 quarterfinals. After upsetting top-seeded Freehold on penalty kicks in the first round of the sectional, the 16th-seeded Tigers fell 1-0 to eighth-seeded Montgomery. PHS ended the fall at 7-10-3, rebounding from a shaky 1-8-2 start. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

When the Princeton High girls’ soccer team lost 2-0 to Steinert on October 7 to fall to 1-8-2, it would have been understandable if the squad threw in the towel on the campaign.

The defeat marked the sixth straight loss for the Tigers in a stretch that saw them outscored 11-1. more

Hun Boys’ Soccer Falls to Pennington in Prep A Final Battling to the End as it Posts Stellar 13-4-2 Record

STANDING TALL: Hun School boys’ soccer goalie Diego Pena surveys the action in a game earlier this fall. Last Wednesday, senior standout Pena made 12 saves and scored a goal on a penalty kick as second-seeded Hun fell 6-1 at top-seeded Pennington in the Prep A state final. The Raiders finished the fall with a 13-4-2 record. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

When the Prep A boys’ soccer final was over last Wednesday, Hun School stars Luciano Verduci and Gonzalo Perez Nunez were lying prone on the ground near the bench, getting treated for some knocks to their legs and spent from running all over the field.

Verduci and Perez Nunez exemplified how hard second-seeded Hun battled as it fell 6-1 at top-seeded Pennington. more

PDS Boys’ Cross Country Wins Non-Public B Meet As McLaughlin Sets the Pace for Young Panthers Squad

TITLE DOUBLE: Members of the Princeton Day School boys’ cross country team are all smiles after they placed first in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Non-Public B state meet last Saturday at Holmdel Park. It marked the first Non-Public title in program history for the squad. It was also the second title this fall as the Panthers had previously won its first Prep B state championship in 15 years on October 30. PDS is next in action when it races in the NJSIAA Meet of Champions on November 16 at Holmdel Park.

By Justin Feil

The Princeton Day School boys’ cross country season that began with uncertainty is ending with confidence.

Last Saturday, junior star Grayson McLaughlin finished third to lead a young Panther boys’ team to its first New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Non-Public B state championship on the heels of its first Prep B state championship in 15 years.  more

November 6, 2024

With Senior Defender Brown Playing Through Pain, PU Women’s Soccer Tops Columbia, Will Host Ivy Tourney

ON THE MARK: Princeton University women’s soccer player Ryann Brown, left, marks a foe in recent action. Last Saturday, senior defender Brown helped Princeton blank Columbia 1-0 to clinch the outright Ivy League regular season title and the right to host the Ivy postseason tournament this weekend. The top-seeded Tigers, now 12-4 overall and 6-1 Ivy, will host fourth-seeded Harvard in an Ivy semifinal contest on November 8 with the victor advancing to the final on November 10. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Justin Feil

Ryann Brown may have felt a little knee pain before the Princeton University women’s soccer team played at Columbia last Saturday.

That pain was forgotten in Princeton’s 1-0 win over the Lions that clinched the outright Ivy League regular season title for the Tigers and right to host the Ivy postseason tournament this weekend. more

Junior Star Lee Triggers Offense Down the Stretch As PU Men’s Hoops Rallies to Top Iona 81-80 in Opener

OPENING SALVO: Princeton University men’s basketball Xaivian Lee dribbles upcourt last Monday as Princeton hosted Iona in its season opener. Junior guard Lee tallied a game-high 27 points as Princeton overcame a 58-42 second half deficit to pull out an 81-80 win over the Gaels. In upcoming action, Princeton faces Duquesne on November 8 in the Jersey Jam at the CURE Insurance Arena in Trenton and then plays at Northeastern on November 10. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

There was plenty of hype surrounding the Princeton University men’s basketball team as it headed into its season opener against Iona last Monday night at Jadwin Gym.

The Tigers were a nearly unanimous selection as the favorite in the Ivy League Preseason Poll. NBA scouts have flocked to their practices and the squad’s two junior stars, Caden Pierce and Xaivian Lee, were both included in the ESPN Preseason Top 100 players. Some media outlets have been forecasting the Tigers as a potential single-digit seed in the NCAA tournament. more

With Syer Taking the Helm of PU Men’s Hockey, Tigers Looking to Tighten Up Things Defensively

NEW DAY: Princeton University men’s hockey player Noah de la Durantaye controls the puck in a 2022 game. Senior star defenseman de la Durantaye figure to spearhead things along the blue line this Princeton. The Tigers open their 2024-25 campaign by hosting Harvard on November 8 and Dartmouth on November 9 as new Princeton head coach Ben Syer makes this debut behind the bench for the program. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

During his 13-year tenure as an assistant coach for the Cornell University men’s hockey team, Ben Syer helped the Big Red consistently rank as one of the top defensive squads in the country.

Cornell averaged 2.21 goals allowed-per-game, ranking third among all Division I programs over the past 13 seasons. In addition, the Big Red ranked in the top ten in in scoring defense nine times and twice led the country in that statistic (2017-18, 2023-24). more

PU Football Digs Early 28-0 Hole Against Cornell, Rally Falls Short as Tigers Lose 49-35, Now 2-5

By Bill Alden

Before the Princeton University football team even took the field against visiting Cornell last Saturday, it was fighting an uphill battle.

“We went out to practice Tuesday and we had 38 guys on the injured list,” said Princeton head coach Bob Surace. “We lost five from the last play on Tuesday through Wednesday. We got one back so we had 42 on Thursday. I just had to make decisions. Some guys were playing hurt, it is can they perform better than some inexperienced guys.”

The Tigers didn’t perform well against the Big Red as they fell behind 28-0 with Cornell star quarterback Jameson Wang passing for two touchdowns and rushing for another in the early onslaught. more

Tiger Women’s Hockey Produces Shaky 2-4 Start But Freshman Alexander Emerging as a Key Weapon

MAC ATTACK: Princeton University women’s hockey player Mackenzie Alexander fires a shot last Friday as Princeton hosted St. Lawrence in its home opener at Hobey Baker Rink. Freshman forward Alexander tallied a goal in a losing cause as Princeton fell 6-2 to the Saints. The Tigers, who lost 6-3 to Clarkson on Sunday to move to 2-4 overall and 0-4 ECAC Hockey, play at Harvard on November 8 and at Dartmouth on November 9. (Photo by Shelley Szwast, provided courtesy of Princeton Athletics)

By Bill Alden

As Mackenzie Alexander made her debut at Hobey Baker Rink last Friday evening when the Princeton University women’s hockey team hosted St. Lawerence, she was pumped up.

“It was incredible with all the fans that came out, it was really cool to see,” said freshman forward Alexander, a native of Etobicoke, Ontario. “The atmosphere was really fun to play in. I really appreciate them coming out.” more

Making its First State Playoff Appearance Since 2014, PHS Football Loses to Winslow, Finishes Fall at 5-5

WILL TO SUCCEED: Princeton High football player Sean Wilton runs upfield in a game this season. Senior offensive/defensive lineman Wilton starred in the trenches this fall for the Tigers as they made their first state playoff appearance since 2014. Playing in the first round of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) South Jersey, Group 4 Tournament last Saturday, eighth-seeded PHS fell 69-6 to top-seeded and undefeated Winslow. The Tigers finished the fall with a 5-5 record. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

There was a buzz around the Princeton High football team last week as it prepared to face Winslow in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) South Jersey, Group 4 Tournament, making the program’s first state playoff appearance since 2014.

“The guys realized 10 years has been long time since we have been in the playoffs,” said PHS head coach Charlie Gallagher. “To be there is a tremendous achievement. The guys really rallied around the fact that they had done something that a lot of football teams at Princeton High haven’t done in a while.” more

Howes Stars as PHS Girls’ Soccer Tops Jackson, Tuning Up Before Stunning Freehold in State Opener

HOW ABOUT THAT: Princeton High girls’ soccer player Kacey Howes controls the ball in recent action. Last Thursday, junior star Howes tallied one goal and one assist to help PHS defeat Jackson Memorial 4-0. On Monday, Howes helped 16th-seeded PHS defeat top-seeded Freehold Township on penalty kicks (5-4) after the teams had played to scoreless draw through regulation and overtime in the first round of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Central Jersey Group 4 Tournament. The Tigers, now 7-9-3, play at eighth-seeded Montgomery in the quarterfinal round on November 7.(Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

As the Princeton High girls’ soccer team hosted Jackson Memorial last Thursday, Kacey Howes took a knock on her foot midway through the first half and had to leave the contest.

But PHS junior star Howes wasn’t about to take the rest of the day off in the team’s final home game this fall. more

Sparked by Mykhalchuk’s Playmaking, Physicality, Hun Boys’ Soccer Defeats Blair in Prep A Semis

BALL CONTROL: Hun School boys’ soccer player Sasha Mykhalchuk dribbles the ball in a game earlier this season. Last Wednesday, senior Mykhalchuk chipped in an assist to help second-seeded Hun defeat third-seeded Blair Academy 4-0 in the Prep A state semis. The Raiders, who defeated Peddie 8-4 in a regular season contest last Saturday to improve to 13-3-2, play at top-seeded Pennington in the Prep A final on November 6. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Sasha Mykhalchuk was downing sips of honey on the bench as he took a break in the first half when the Hun School boys’ soccer team hosted Blair Academy last Wednesday in the Prep A state semis.

When senior midfielder Mykhalchuk was on the field for Hun, he gave the squad a jolt of energy, smoothly passing for an assist in the first half and providing physical play all over the field as the second-seeded Raiders pulled away to 4-0 win over the third-seeded Buccaneers. more

October 30, 2024

Irish Wake

Members of the Princeton High boys’ soccer team celebrate after they edged Notre Dame 1-0 in the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Tournament final last Saturday afternoon on Ackerson Field at Hopewell Valley High. PHS, now 14-2-3, got the winning goal against the Irish late in the second half on a header by Chase Hamerschlag off a corner kick by Aaron Thyrum. For details on the game, see page 25. (Photo by Bill Alden)

Buoyed by the Return of Junior Standouts Pierce, Lee, PU Men’s Hoops Poised for Another Championship Run

TWO GOOD: Princeton University men’s basketball players Caden Pierce, left, and Xaivian Lee got up for a rebound in a game last winter. The return of junior stars Pierce, the 2024 Ivy League Player of the Year, and Lee, a fellow first-team All-Ivy selection, has the Tigers primed for another big campaign. Princeton, which went 24-5 overall and 12-2 Ivy last winter in winning its third straight league regular season title, opens its 2024-25 campaign by hosting Iona on November 4. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

As the Princeton University men’s basketball team held its annual media day earlier this month in Jadwin Gym, junior stars Xaivian Lee and Caden Pierce mugged for the cameras when asked to pose together for photos.

The one-two punch could have been broken up as Lee entered the NBA Draft process before deciding to return to Princeton and Pierce was a potential target of the transfer portal.

For Pierce, the 2024 Ivy League Player of the Year, his connection with Lee, a fellow first-team All-Ivy selection, played a key role in him remaining with the Tigers. more

Junior Star St. Rose Poised to Be the Face of Program As PU Women’s Hoops Tips Off 2024-25 Campaign

ROSY OUTLOOK: Princeton University women’s basketball player Madison St. Rose looks to dribble past a foe in action last season. Junior star guard St. Rose figures to be a go-to player this winter for Princeton. The Tigers, who went 25-5 overall and 13-1 Ivy League last winter on the way to a fifth straight Ivy Tournament championship, start their 2024-25 campaign by playing at Duquesne on November 4. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Justin Feil

Madison St. Rose spent her summer in Philadelphia playing basketball against other college players.

It gave the Princeton University women’s basketball junior star more scrimmaging opportunities than she’d had the summer before when she returned to her Old Bridge home, plus more of a chance to build her game for her third year with the Tiger program. more

Seeing 6-Game Winning Streak Against Harvard Snapped, Princeton Football Loses 45-13 to Crimson, Drops to 2-4

MURPHY’S LAW: Princeton University football player Dareion Murphy takes a handoff in a game earlier this season. Last Saturday, junior running back Murphy rushed for 21 yards as Princeton fell 45-13 to Harvard. The Tigers, now 2-4 overall and 1-2 Ivy League, host Cornell (2-4 overall, 1-2 Ivy) on November 2. (Photo by Steven Wojtowicz)

By Bill Alden

In its six contests against archrival Harvard between 2017-23, the Princeton University football team went undefeated, outscoring the Crimson by an average of 31.2-17 in those matchups.

As Princeton headed up to New England for its clash at Harvard on Saturday, Tiger head coach Bob Surace was cautiously optimistic that the winning streak would continue. more

Thyrum’s Corner Kick Leads to Goal by Hamerschlag As PHS Boys’ Soccer Tops Notre Dame 1-0 in CVC Final

TURNING THE CORNER: Princeton High boys’ soccer player Aaron Thyrum goes after the ball in recent action. Last Saturday, junior midfielderThyrum lofted a corner kick that Chase Hamerschlag converted into the winning goal as second-seeded PHS edged fourth-seeded Notre Dame 1-0 in the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Tournament final. The Tigers, now 14-2-3, will next be in action when they start play in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Group 4 tournament where they will be looking for a second straight state title. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Aaron Thyrum had the game at his feet for the Princeton High boys’ soccer team late in the second half as it was locked in a scoreless tie with Notre Dame in the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Tournament final last Saturday afternoon.

With 10 minutes left in regulation and a stiff crosswind howling across Ackerson Field at Hopewell Valley High, junior midfielder Thyrum lined up a corner kick and had a target in mind. more

PHS Girls’ Volleyball Looks Dominant in Winning BCSL As Junior Star Lygas Provides Powerful Play in Front Row

THREE-PEAT: Princeton High girls’ volleyball player Naomi Lygas sets the ball in a game earlier this season. Last Thursday, junior star Lygas contributed 10 kills and eight digs to help PHS defeat Princeton Day School 2-0 (25-6, 25-10) in the Burlington County Scholastic League (BCSL) tournament final. It marked the third straight BCSL title for the Tigers. PHS, who moved to 22-1 with a 3-0 win (25-16, 25-13, 25-10) over Paul VI last Monday, play at Union Catholic on October 30. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Naomi Lygas and her teammates on the Princeton High girls’ volleyball team were determined to show that they weren’t overrated as they hosted the Burlington County Scholastic League (BCSL) tournament last Thursday.

“I know that coming into today we saw that we were ranked first on NJ.com, so that was a big thing,” said PHS junior star Lygas. “Now we want to prove ourselves to be that.” more

PHS Football Tops WW/P 21-13 in Dramatic Fashion, Clinching First Trip to NJSIAA Playoffs Since 2014

WINNING COMBINATION: Princeton High football quarterback/defensive back Travis Petrone, left, and junior running back/defensive back Carmine Carusone led the way as PHS defeated the West Windsor/Plainsboro football co-op 21-13 last Saturday. Petrone threw a pair of second quarter touchdown passes to Carusone, who also ran for a TD in the fourth quarter. The Tigers improved to 5-4 with the win and clinched their first trip to the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) playoffs since 2014. PHS is seeded eighth in the NJSIAA South Jersey, Group 4 Tournament and will play at top-seeded Winslow (9-0) in a quarterfinal contest on November 2. (Photos by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

There was a lot on the line for the Princeton High football team as it hosted the West Windsor/Plainsboro football co-op last Saturday in its regular season finale.

As the Tigers celebrated Senior Day, they needed a win to go over .500 and put themselves in position to earn their first trip to the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) playoffs since 2014. more

With Senior Eleches-Lipsitz Back at Full Speed, PHS Girls’ Cross Country Takes 1st at CVC Meet

By Justin Feil

Rica Eleches-Lipsitz was confident that the Princeton High girls’ cross country team would race well at the Colonial Valley Conference Championships on Thursday at Thompson Park.

PHS did its part, and Eleches-Lipsitz nearly equaled their personal record.

“I knew that we would dominate as a team because we’ve done a lot of really good work on that course and just together. I’ve seen us grow a lot,” said Eleches-Lipsitz. “I don’t think I anticipated my individual race being nearly as good as it was. But I’ve always had faith that my team would pull through the way that they did.” more

PHS Girls’ Tennis Takes Second at CVC Tournament As Doubles Teams Lead the Way with a Pair of Wins

UP IN THE AIR: Princeton High girls’ tennis first doubles player Ashna Bushan leaps to make a shot as partner Maya-Alexandra Todorov looks on last Wednesday in the final of the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Tournament. The pair of junior Bushan and senior Todorov topped WW/P-North’s Anjali Vemuri and Maahi Patmidi 6-4, 4-6, (10-8) to win the title. The victory helped PHS take second to North in the team standings at the event which was played at the Mercer County Tennis Complex. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Last fall, the pair of Maya-Alexandra Todorov and Ashna Bushan rolled to the title at first doubles for the Princeton High girls’ tennis team at the Mercer County Tournament in what turned out to be the last year of the competition.

With the Mercer County Tournament Association announcing last spring that it was discontinuing the county tournament in favor of a Colonial Valley Conference Tournament, which bars local private schools who are not members of the CVC, the result was the same last week as Todorov and Bushan prevailed at first doubles. more

Hun Field Hockey Falls to Lawrenceville in Prep A Tourney, But England Native Clark Gaining Valuable Experience

STICKING TOGETHER: Members of the Hun School field hockey team celebrate after tallying a goal in a game earlier this season. Last Wednesday, Hun couldn’t get its offense going as the third-seeded Raiders fell 2-0 to sixth-seeded Lawrenceville in the Prep A state quarterfinal round. Hun, which lost 3-0 to Lawrenceville in a regular season contest last Saturday to move to 7-9, hosts the Peddie School on November 2 in its season finale. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Things didn’t go well for the Hun School field hockey team as it hosted rival Lawrenceville last Wednesday in the Prep A state quarterfinal round.

Unable to get into an offensive rhythm, third-seeded Hun fell 2-0 to the sixth-seeded Big Red.

“It wasn’t all that we could give, some days are better than others,” said Hun post-graduate star Sophia Clark. “We have worked hard, we have had a lot of great opportunities. It is just about putting them away really.” more