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

October 23, 2024

Junior QB Hipa Throws for a TD, Runs For Another As PU Football Tops Brown 29-17, Surviving Late Rally

HIP HIP HOORAY: Princeton University quarterback Blaine Hipa gets ready to unload the ball last Friday night against Brown. Junior Hipa completed 15-of-26 passes for 200 yards and one touchdown and rushed for another score as Princeton held off a late rally by the Bears to prevail 29-17 and improve to 2-3 overall and 1-1 Ivy League. The Tigers play at Harvard (4-1 overall, 1-1 Ivy) on October 26. (Photo by Sideline Photos, provided courtesy of Princeton Athletics)

By Bill Alden

Blaine Hipa struggled in his first three career starts this fall for the Princeton University football team, completing 46 percent of his passes with nine interceptions and three touchdowns as the Tigers lost all three games.

As Princeton hosted Brown last Friday night, Hipa was primed to put that rough stretch behind him. more

Duchovny’s Brilliant Goal Makes the Difference As Princeton Men’s Soccer Edges Columbia 2-1

MOMENT OF BRILLIANCE: Princeton University men’s soccer player Gabe Duchovny, left, goes after the ball in a 2023 game. Last Saturday, junior midfielder Duchovny scored the winning goal as Princeton rallied to edge Columbia 2-1. The Tigers, now 6-5 overall and 3-1 Ivy League, host Yale on October 26. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Justin Feil

Gabe Duchovny wasn’t thinking about his shot or he might not have taken it.

It wasn’t a high percentage shot, but the junior midfielder couldn’t have hit his rocket from 30 yards any better for the game-winner in the Princeton University men’s soccer team’s 2-1 comeback win at Columbia on Saturday. more

With Hamerschlag Making Smooth Transition to Back 4, PHS Boys’ Soccer Primed to Battle Steinert in CVC Semis

HAMMER TIME: Princeton High boys’ soccer player Chase Hamerschlag rises up for a header in recent action. Last Monday, junior center back Hamerschlag scored a goal and played strong defense to help second-seeded PHS defeat 10th-seeded Trenton Central 2-1 in the quarterfinal round of the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Tournament. The Tigers, now 12-2-3, will face third-seeded Steinert in the CVC tourney semis on October 24 at Hopewell Valley with the victor advancing to the final on October 26. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Chase Hamerschlag provided a spark off the bench as a reserve forward for the Princeton High boys’ soccer team last fall as it won the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Group 4 state title.

Backing up high-scoring striker Pasquale Carusone, Hamerschlag contributed five goals and two assists. But with PHS losing star center backs Nick Matese and Jamie Reynolds to graduation, Hamerschlag volunteered to move back to the back line this season to help fill that void. more

Howes Stars for PHS Girls’ Soccer in a Losing Cause As Tigers Battle Hard in Defeat to PDS in CVC Tourney

KACEY PRIME: Princeton High girls’ soccer player Kacey Howes, left, gets ready to boot the ball in a game earlier this season. Last Saturday, junior star Howes scored two goals in the second half as 10th-seeded PHS produced a late rally against seventh-seeded Princeton Day School in the first round of the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Tournament but came up short in a 3-2 loss. The Tigers, who defeated Hightstown 2-0 in a CVC consolation contest on Monday to move to 5-9-2, host the Peddie School on October 29. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

With the Princeton High girls’ soccer team having lost 2-0 to Princeton Day School in September, it looked like the Tigers were about to be blanked again in the rivalry when the local foes met last Saturday in the first round of the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Tournament.

Midway through the second half, 10th-seeded PHS trailed the host and seventh-seeded Panthers 3-0 despite generating some good scoring chances on set pieces, including a free kick that flew inches over the goal and a corner kick that resulted in the ball ricocheting off the crossbar. more

After Switching to Tight End from Quarterback, Tyme Emerges as a Key Weapon for Hun Football

By Justin Feil

Drae Tyme’s position switch after his sophomore year for the Hun School football team opened up an opportunity and rekindled his career goals.

Tyme always wanted to play Division I college football. He came to Hun as a quarterback from Canada, but after two seasons without many snaps he saw another chance to get on the field and reinvented himself at tight end.

“I just went into it with an open mind,” said Tyme, who now lives in Princeton. “I was like, if I’m more athletic and I can be put somewhere else that will get me to play college football, I’d do it. I just want to find the best opportunity for me. And it was obviously switching to tight end. So I think it was just being open minded about it and just accepting what it could mean.” more

Lifted by Amin’s Leadership, Excellence at 1st Doubles, PDS Girls’ Tennis Advances to Non-Public State Final

HOLDING COURT: Princeton Day School girls’ tennis player Kavita Amin follows through on a shot last Thursday as PDS faced the Pingry School in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Non-Public state final at the Mercer County Park tennis complex. Senior Amin and sophomore Zarna Kalra lost 6-1, 6-2 to Isabelle Chen and Leila Souayah at first doubles as the Panthers fell 5-0 to Pingry.

By Bill Alden

As a senior captain for the Princeton Day School girls’ tennis team, Kavita Amin aims to positively influence her teammates.

“I really like being a mentor to the younger players and keeping the team culture really high which I think we have done good job of,” said Amin. “We have become really close, not only as teammates but we are really good friends. We know how to look out for each other.” more

Sparked by Senior Graham’s Speed, Finishing Touch, PDS Girls’ Soccer Tops PHS in CVC Tourney Opener

By Bill Alden

For Makena Graham and her teammates on the Princeton Day School girls’ soccer team, hosting Princeton High last Saturday in the opening round of the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Tournament was an opportunity to turn the page on an uneven campaign.

“We have had a rough start to the season so we all said today is a reset, today nothing else matters,” said Graham of the Panthers who had gone 1-5 in their previous six games before the CVC opener.

“It didn’t matter that we beat them before (2-0 on September 24). Our record didn’t matter. It was come in like a new team. We were going to possess, we were going to play our way. We weren’t going to panic.” more