HOT BATH: Princeton University men’s lacrosse player Michael Bath unloads the ball in recent action. Last Saturday, senior defender and team co-captain Bath scooped up three ground balls and had two caused turnovers as No 2. Princeton defeated Yale 18-7. The Tigers, now 11-2 overall and 5-1 Ivy League, will be heading to Ithaca, N.Y. this weekend to play in the Ivy postseason tournament. Princeton is seeded second and will face third-seeded Harvard in a semifinal contest on May 2 with the victor advancing to the final on May 4 against the winner of the Cornell-Yale semi. (Photo by Karla Donohue, provided courtesy of Princeton Athletics)

By Bill Alden

As Michael Bath went through his Senior Day ceremony with the Princeton University men’s lacrosse team last Saturday afternoon, his thoughts turned to his first college campaign.

“Just being a freshman and having that senior class being such a great standard,” said star defender Bath, reflecting on his Tiger lax experience. “The seniors after that in my sophomore year and last year our senior class was amazing. We have tried to fill those shoes. We have a special group of seniors, all 11 of us are super close.” more

PICKED UP: Jalen Travis heads to the line during his career with the Princeton University football team. Star offensive lineman Travis ’24, who played for Iowa State last fall as a graduate transfer, was selected in the 2025 NFL Draft last Saturday by the Indianapolis Colts with the 127th pick overall in the fourth round. Travis is Princeton’s highest NFL Draft pick in the modern draft era. (Photo by Sideline Photos, provided courtesy of Princeton Athletics)

By Justin Feil

Jalen Travis is headed to his third team in three years.

This isn’t a diatribe against the transfer portal, but rather a celebration of the former Princeton University offensive tackle’s rise to become the Tigers’ highest NFL Draft pick in the modern draft era. The Indianapolis Colts selected him with the 127th pick overall in the fourth round Saturday. more

SHOWING HART: Princeton Day School boys’ lacrosse player Hart Nowakoski races upfield in a 2024 game. Last week, senior midfielder Nowakoski scored two goals in a losing cause as PDS lost 8-7 in overtime to Allentown on April 22. The Panthers, who fell 10-4 to the Hun School last Thursday to move to 3-5, will be playing in the Prep state quarterfinals on May 9. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

With the Princeton Day School boys’ lacrosse team bringing a three-game winning streak into its clash against Allentown last week, Hart Nowakoski and his teammates were primed to keep rolling.

“We were just trying to ride the same kind of confidence that we had off the Princeton High win and try to play the same way,” said PDS senior midfielder Nowakoski. more

WHITE LIGHT: Princeton University women’s lacrosse player Sophie Whiteway, right, goes after the ball in recent action. Last Saturday, senior midfielder Whiteway came up big on her Senior Day, tallying two goals along with four draw controls and two ground balls as No. 5 Princeton topped No. 18 Brown 15-13 to clinch a share of the Ivy League regular season crown. The Tigers, now 12-2 overall and 5-1 Ivy League, play at Dartmouth on April 26 as they look to earn the outright league title and the No. 1 seed going into the Ivy postseason tournament. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

In her freshman season for the Princeton University women’s lacrosse team in 2022, Sophie Whiteway contributed three draw controls on the program’s Senior Day to help the Tigers defeat Yale and clinch the Ivy League regular season title.

Last Saturday, Whiteway came up big on her Senior Day, tallying two goals along with four draw controls and two ground balls as No. 5 Princeton topped No. 18 Brown 15-13 at Class of 1952 Stadium to clinch a share of the Ivy regular season crown as it moved to 12-2 overall and 5-1 Ivy. more

Princeton Men’s Lacrosse hosts Brown on April 12, 2025.

MUELLER TIME: Princeton University men’s lacrosse player Cooper Mueller helping to key the defense last Saturday as Princeton hosted Brown. Sophomore midfielder Mueller contributed one goal, four ground balls, and one caused turnover as the Tigers defeated Brown 17-6. Princeton, now 9-2 overall and 3-1 Ivy League, clinched a spot in the upcoming Ivy postseason tournament in the process. The Tigers play at Penn (4-8 overall, 1-4 Ivy) on April 19. (Photo by Shelley Szwast, provided courtesy of Princeton Athletics)

By Bill Alden

Cooper Mueller continued a special family athletic tradition when he decided to join the Princeton University men’s lacrosse program.

His father, Kit Mueller, produced a legendary career for the Princeton men’s basketball program, scoring 1,546 points and getting named as the Ivy League Player of the Year in both 1990 and 1991. more

SIX SHOOTER: Princeton University women’s lacrosse player McKenzie Blake heads to goal in recent action. Last Saturday, senior attacker Blake scored six goals to help Princeton edge Cornell 12-11 and post its ninth straight win. The No. 5 Tigers, now 9-1 overall and 3-0 Ivy League, host Stony Brook on April 9 and Columbia on April 12. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Justin Feil

McKenzie Blake is off to a great start to her senior season with the Princeton University women’s lacrosse team.

But it’s more about the finish, which the Blake and the Tigers got a little reminder of in last Saturday’s 12-11 win at Cornell.

“This has been definitely a really good start to the season,” said Blake, who tallied six goals in the victory. “But you know coming with that we can’t let up and I think that’s definitely something that is in the back of all our minds with the Ivy League tournament and NCAA tournament — definitely that’s the number one priority.” more

CATCHING FIRE: Princeton University men’s lacrosse player Colin Burns unloads the ball in recent action. Last Saturday, sophomore attacker Burns scored three goals to help Princeton defeat Vermont 10-5. It marked the third straight hat trick for Burns. The No. 3 Tigers, now 8-2, host Brown on April 12. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Colin Burns produced a solid start this spring in his sophomore season for the Princeton University men’s lacrosse team, scoring nine goals in the team’s first seven games.

But over the last week, star attacker Burns has caught fire, coming up with three-goal performances in three straight games as Princeton edged Dartmouth 11-8 on March 29, topped Lehigh 17-12 on April 1, and then defeated Vermont 10-5 last Saturday. more

THE WRIGHT STUFF: Princeton University softball pitcher Brielle Wright delivers a pitch in action last weekend as Princeton hosted Yale for a three-game series at its new Cynthia Lynn Paul ’94 Field. Junior Wright starred for the Tigers, going 2-0 in the circle as Princeton swept the Bulldogs. The Tigers topped Yale 6-0 on Friday and then defeated the Bulldogs 9-0 and 2-0 in a doubleheader on Saturday. Wright got the wins in games one and three, striking out 13 batters in 13 innings. She was later named as the Ivy League Pitcher of the Week. The Tigers, now 11-12 overall and 6-0 Ivy, host Lehigh on April 2 and then head to Dartmouth for a three-game set with a doubleheader on April 5 and a single game on April 6. (Photo by Shelley Szwast, provided courtesy of Princeton Athletics)

By Bill Alden

After excelling in a relief pitching role last spring for the Princeton University softball team, Brielle Wright had to shift gears this season as she was moved into the starting rotation.

“It was definitely a transition at first; last year I was typically coming into the end of the game for two innings, maybe three every weekend,” said junior lefty Wright, a 5’8 native of Rocklin, Calif. more

ON THE ATTACK: Princeton University men’s lacrosse player Nate Kabiri working around the crease in recent action. Last Saturday, sophomore attacker Kabiri tallied two goals and two assists as then-No. 6 Princeton defeated No. 12 Harvard 13-11. The Tigers, now 5-2 overall and 1-1 Ivy League and ranked fourth nationally, play at No. 18 Dartmouth (7-1 overall, 1-0 Ivy) on March 29. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

With the Princeton University men’s lacrosse team coming off a disappointing 15-10 loss to Cornell, Nate Kabiri and his teammates were determined to get back on the winning track as they hosted Harvard last Saturday.

“We knew we hadn’t reached our limit at all yet, we just tried to put a good week in,” said sophomore attackman Kabiri. more

MARCHING ON: Princeton University women’s basketball player Ashley Chea, center, looks to get past two defenders in a game earlier this season. Last Friday, sophomore guard Chea scored 15 points in a losing cause as the third-seeded Tigers fell 70-67 to third-seeded Harvard in the semifinals of the Ivy Madness postseason tournament in Providence, R.I. The Tigers, who moved to 21-7 with the defeat, later earned an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament where they are seeded 11th and will play fellow 11-seed Iowa State in a First Four game on March 19 at Notre Dame. The victor will then face sixth-seeded Michigan in a first round contest on March 21. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

It is an oft-stated sports adage that it is hard to beat the same team three times in a single season.

Last Friday, the Princeton University women’s basketball team found out the hard way that there is some truth to that saying. After having defeated Harvard twice in regular season action, the third-seeded Tigers lost 70-67 to the third-seeded Crimson in the semifinals of the Ivy Madness postseason tournament in Providence, R.I. more

READY FOR THE MADNESS: Princeton University men’s basketball player Blake Peters dribbles upcourt in a game earlier this season. Last Saturday, senior guard Peters scored a career-high 25 points to help Princeton defeat Penn 95-71 and clinch the final spot in the upcoming Ivy Madness postseason tournament. The Tigers, now 19-10 overall and 8-6 Ivy, are seeded fourth in Ivy Madness and will face top-seeded Yale (20-7 overall, 13-1 Ivy) in a semifinal contest on March 15 in Providence, R.I. The victor will advance to the final on March 16 to play for the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

It was Senior Day for Blake Peters as the Princeton University men’s basketball team hosted Penn last Saturday afternoon and he wanted to make sure it wasn’t his last game in a Princeton uniform.

With a win over the rival Quakers clinching the final spot in the upcoming Ivy Madness postseason tournament without the need for results in other games to go their way, Peters and the Tigers were determined to take care of business. more

By Bill Alden

As the Princeton University men’s hockey team played at Brown last Friday in an ECAC Hockey playoff single-elimination first round contest, the Tigers kept firing away to the final seconds literally.

Trailing eighth-seeded Brown 3-1 in the waning moments of the contest, ninth-seeded Princeton got a goal from Kevin Anderson with 4.1 seconds left in regulation to make it a 3-2 game. Time ran out on the Tigers as they couldn’t get off another shot and their season came to an end.

“The guys just never quit,” said Princeton head coach Ben Syer, whose team ended the winter with a 12-15-3 record. “I think that is a trademark of this group. You had guys step up in different ways. David Jacobs was playing on one leg this weekend. There was no quit and that is something our entire staff is extremely proud of about this particular group.” more

SEVEN UP: Princeton University women’s lacrosse player Haven Dora, left, looks to unload the ball against Hofstra last Saturday. Junior attacker Dora dished out a program-record seven assists for a second straight game as the Tigers rolled to a 20-4 win over the Pride. No. 13 Princeton, now 3-1, hosts Penn State on March 5 and Harvard on March 8 in its Ivy League opener. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Haven Dora wears No. 7 for the Princeton University women’s lacrosse team and last week that number took on an added significance for the junior attacker.

On Wednesday, Dora tallied a program single-game record seven assists to help Princeton edge Delaware 15-14. Three days later, Dora matched that feat, getting seven assists as the Tigers rolled to a 20-4 victory over Hofstra in improving to 3-1.

“I am really proud of that,” said Dora, reflecting on the record.“Every single game, I am trying to come out with a team win and if that is what it takes, I am going to keep assisting my teammate. Hopefully at some point. I can break it and get eight. I am looking forward to the rest of the season.” more

MAC ATTACK: Princeton University women’s hockey player Mackenzie Alexander fires a shot in a game earlier this season. Last Friday, freshman forward Alexander tallied one goal and two assists to help seventh-seeded Princeton defeat 10th-seeded RPI 3-2 in an ECAC Hockey playoff single-elimination opening round contest. The Tigers, who improved to 18-10-2 overall, will now play at second-seeded Colgate in a best-of-three quarterfinal series starting in February 28. (Photo by Steven Wojtowicz)

By Bill Alden

It was the first ECAC Hockey playoff game for Mackenzie Alexander and she thrived in the pressure-packed atmosphere as the Princeton University women’s hockey team hosted RPI last Friday at Hobey Baker Rink in a single-elimination opening round contest.

“It was really fun, it was always high energy,” said Princeton freshman forward Alexander. “You could never take your foot off the gas, it was really exciting and really fun.”

Looking to bounce back from a 4-3 loss to RPI a week earlier in the regular season finale, the seventh-seeded Tigers brought an aggressive approach into the playoff clash against the 10th-seeded Engineers. more

TALL ORDER: Princeton University women’s basketball player Fadima Tall looks to pass the ball in a game earlier this season. Last Saturday, sophomore guard/forward Tall scored a team-high 17 points as Princeton fell 64-60 to visiting Columbia in an Ivy League first place showdown. The Tigers, now 18-6 overall and 9-2 Ivy League, play at Harvard on February 28 and at Dartmouth on March 1. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Princeton University women’s basketball player Fadima Tall drew inspiration from some of the program’s former standouts as the Tigers hosted Columbia last Saturday evening in an Ivy League first place showdown.

“I think just having the people here who made this team was very encouraging,” said sophomore guard/forward Tall, referring to former players who were on hand as the University held its annual Alumni Day celebration. “They were at our shootaround and gave us words of encouragement. Then you have Ellie Mitchell and Julia Cunningham talking to me on the sidelines as I am in-bounding the ball. It is always nice to have.” more

JACKING IT UP: Princeton University men’s basketball player Jackson Hicke lofts a jumper in a game earlier this season. Last Saturday, sophomore guard Hicke scored 10 points and grabbed six rebounds in a losing cause as Princeton fell 76-61 to Dartmouth. The Tigers, now 17-9 overall and 6-5 Ivy League, play at Cornell on February 28 and at Columbia on March 1. (Photo by Steven Wojtowicz)

By Bill Alden

Earlier this winter, the Princeton University men’s basketball team displayed a propensity for overcoming double-digit deficits to earn dramatic victories.

In games against Iona, Akron, and Columbia, the Tigers trailed by 16 points, 15 points, and 20 points, respectively, before roaring back for improbable wins. more

SEEING RED: Princeton University men’s lacrosse player Coulter Mackesy, right, looks to elude a Maryland defender last Saturday. Senior attacker Mackesy tallied three goals and an assist in the game but it wasn’t enough as then-No. 5 Princeton fell 13-9 to the second-ranked Maryland. The Tigers, now 1-1 and ranked eighth, play at No. 7 Duke (4-0) on February 28 and at No. 4 North Carolina (3-0) on March 2. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

In its five games against powerhouse Maryland in the previous three seasons, the Princeton University men’s lacrosse team has gone 0-5, never leading at any point in those contests and getting outscored by a combined 19-6 in the first quarter.

As fifth-ranked Princeton hosted No. 2 Maryland last Saturday at Class of 1952 Stadium, the Tigers were determined to flip the script in the high noon showdown with the Terps. more

SENIOR MOMENT: Princeton University men’s hockey player Noah de la Durantaye celebrates after scoring a goal against Brown last Friday night. Despite senior defenseman and team captain de la Durantaye’s heroics, Princeton fell 3-2 in overtime to the Bears. On Saturday as the program hosted Yale and held its annual Senior Night celebration in its last regular season game at Hobey Baker Rink, de la Durantaye scored on his last shot in the building, converting in a shootout to help the Tigers secure an extra point after tying Yale 2-2 through regulation and overtime. The Tigers, now 10-14-3 overall and 5-12-3 ECAC Hockey, play at St. Lawrence on February 28 and at Clarkson on March 1 to wrap up regular season action. (Photo by Shelley Szwast/Princeton Athletics)

By Bill Alden

While it has been a rocky ride at times for Noah de la Durantaye and his fellow seniors on the Princeton University men’s hockey team, there was a sense of appreciation for the experience as they played in their final games at Hobey Baker Rink last weekend.

“It is emotional for sure, I got a little sentimental thinking about it this week,” said senior defenseman and team captain de la Durantaye whose class brought a 41-69-8 career record into the weekend and endured a head coaching change along the way.  more

STICKING WITH IT: Princeton University women’s hockey goalie Jen Olnowich sticks aside a shot in recent action. Last Friday, senior Olnowich made 22 saves to help Princeton defeat Union 2-1 in overtime. The Tigers, who lost 4-3 to RPI on Saturday in moving to 17-10-2 overall and 11-9-2 ECAC Hockey, are next in action when they compete in the ECACH Women’s Hockey Championship. Princeton is seeded seventh and will host 10th-seeded RPI in a single-elimination opening round contest on February 21. (Photo by Steven Wojtowicz)

By Bill Alden

Princeton University women’s hockey goalie Jen Olnowich was wearing a white sweater adorned with red hearts to celebrate Valentine’s Day as she came to Hobey Baker Rink last Friday evening.

Olnowich’s attire was also appropriate as she and her fellow seniors were being shown affection over the weekend as the Tigers played their final regular season home games of the 2024-25 campaign. more

BURNING BRIGHT: Princeton University men’s lacrosse player Colin Burns heads to goal in a game last season. Sophomore attacker Burns, who tallied 26 goals and nine assists last spring, is poised to be even more productive this season. No. 5 Princeton starts its 2025 campaign by playing at No. 10 Penn State (2-0) on February 15. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

As the Princeton University men’s lacrosse team heads into its 2025 campaign, its senior group is looking to come full circle.

“It is a hungry group, it is a senior group that has lived their life the right way,” said Princeton head coach Matt Madalon. “They experienced the Final 4 early on as freshmen, and they have been fighting their tails off to get back there.” more

CAREER DAY: Princeton University women’s basketball player Ashley Chea dribbles upcourt in a game last year. Last Saturday, sophomore guard Chea scored a career-high 25 points as Princeton defeated Penn 74-60. Chea was later named the Ivy League Player of the Week. The Tigers, now 16-5 overall and 7-1 Ivy League, host Brown own February 14 and Yale on February 15. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

With the Princeton University women’s basketball team hosting Penn last Saturday afternoon and attracting a throng as it held its annual celebration of National Girls and Women in Sports Day, Ashley Chea drew special inspiration.

“It means everything to me, I was that girl once,” said Princeton sophomore guard Chea, reflecting on the event that resulted in a crowd of 2,631 at Jadwin Gym, including hundreds of young girls.
“I am just super incredibly grateful to be in the spot that I am and to be around incredible people. I hope that all of these girls see that. I hope that they know they can do that as well.” more