May 17, 2023

In a Microcosm of Up-and-Down Campaign, PU Mens’ Lax Falls to Penn State in NCAAs

FOR THE RECORD: Princeton University men’s lacrosse player Coulter Mackesy looks to elude a foe in a game earlier this season. Last Sunday night, sophomore attacker Mackesy tallied six goals but it wasn’t enough as Princeton fell 13-12 at fifth-seeded Penn State in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Mackesy’s six-goal outburst tied Jesse Hubbard and Chris Massey for the most goals in an NCAA tournament game by a Tiger. In addition, the performance left him at 55 goals this spring, breaking the program’s single-season goals record, one better than Gavin McBride’s 54 in 2017.  The Tigers ended the spring with an 8-7 record. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Justin Feil

The Princeton University men’s lacrosse team saw a bit of everything that encompassed their season in their first-round NCAA tournament game at fifth-seeded Penn State last Sunday night.

There was the Tigers quick-strike offense highlighted by Coulter Mackesy that enabled them to bolt out to a 7-1 lead. The sophomore finished with six goals to set a new Princeton single-season record with 55 goals.

There were contributions from young players like Andrew McMeekin, who likely wouldn’t have played much this season if it weren’t for a season-ending ACL tear to potential All-American Tyler Sandoval. McMeekin, a freshman, went 18 for 28 at the X against Penn State.

And there were plenty of players like Sandoval and another All-American talent, Sam English, along with standouts like Luc Anderson and Christian Ronda, who were sidelined due to injuries for a team that has been plagued by the injury bug.

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PU Softball Falls to Harvard in Ivy Tourney Finale, But Senior Starks Feels Gratitude for Experience

CONTACT HITTER: Princeton University softball player Serena Starks makes contact in action last week at the Ivy League postseason tournament. Senior standout Starks performed well from the leadoff spot as the Tigers made the final round of the double-elimination tourney. Princeton topped Harvard 6-0 on Saturday to stay alive in the competition but then fell 3-2 to the Crimson in a winner-take-all finale for the league’s automatic bid to the upcoming NCAA tournament. Outfielder Starks made the All-Tournament team as the Tigers finished the spring with a 29-20 record. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Serena Starks prides herself on being a catalyst for the Princeton University softball team in her role as its leadoff hitter.

“I understand that I am batting first and I have to set the tone,” said senior outfielder Starks, a 5’8 native of Huntington Beach, Calif. “Last year, I don’t grasp it as much but this year, I really know what it means to be the leadoff hitter and set the tone.”

This spring, Starks performed that role with aplomb, getting named as the Ivy League Player of the Year. Over the course of the regular season, she led the league in batting average (.411), runs scored (36), and hits (65), hitting 40 points better than the next-best eligible player and with 22 more hits than any other Ivy League player.

Last Friday, as Princeton’s season was on the line, Starks was determined to set the tone. With the Tigers hosting the Ivy postseason tournament and having lost 3-1 to Columbia on Thursday to open the double-elimination event, Princeton faced Yale with the loser to be eliminated.

Starks got a single to lead off the game and came around to score to give the Tigers a 1-0 lead.

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PU Women’s Open Crew Wins Ivy Championships, Men’s Lightweights Win Sprints, Heavyweights 2nd

OPEN SEASON: Members of the Princeton University women’s open crew varsity 8 celebrate after they placed first in their grand final at the Ivy League Championships in Worcester, Mass., last Sunday. By virtue of its performance in the Ivy regatta, the Tiger open crew earned an automatic bid the NCAA Championships, which will be taking place from May 26-28 in Camden. (Photo by Ed Hewitt/Row2k, provided by Princeton Athletics)

By Bill Alden

Displaying the form that has catapulted it into being ranked No. 1 nationally, the Princeton University women’s open crew varsity 8 placed first in its grand final at the Ivy League Championships in Worcester, Mass., last Sunday.

The Princeton top boat covered the 2,000-meter course on Lake Quinsigamond in a time of 6:01.806, 1.57 seconds ahead of second-place Penn to remain undefeated on the spring.

The varsity 8’s win helped Princeton win the team title as it scored 85 points, edging runner-up Yale by one point. Penn was third with 66 points while Brown was fourth with 64.

The third varsity 8 also placed first while the 2V8 took second and the varsity 4 took third.

 more

May 10, 2023

PU Men’s Lax Routs Yale in Ivy Tourney Final, Will Play at Penn State in NCAA Opening Round

SHOOTING STAR: Princeton University men’s lacrosse player Jake Stevens heads upfield in a 2022 game. Last Sunday, senior midfielder Stevens scored six goals on six shots as Princeton routed Yale 19-10 in the Ivy League postseason tournament final. The Tigers, now 8-6, will play at fifth-seeded Penn State (9-4) in an NCAA first round contest on May 14. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

The mission was clear for the Princeton University men’s lacrosse team as it headed to New York City last weekend to compete in the Ivy League postseason tournament.

Coming into the event with a pedestrian 6-6 record, Princeton needed to win the four-team tourney at Columbia’s Wien Stadium to book a trip to the NCAA tournament or it was going home for the season. more

With Vinci Emerging as Record-Breaking Slugger, PU Baseball Headed to Ivy Postseason Tournament

POWER SURGE: Princeton University baseball player Kyle Vinci waits for a pitch in recent action. Last Saturday, junior star Vinci hit a homer in a 6-5 win over Brown. It was Vinci’s 20th home run of the spring, a new Ivy League single-season record. Vinci was later named the Ivy Player of the Week, going 6 for 15 with three homers, four runs, and eight RBIs as Princeton fell 8-7 to Rutgers last Wednesday and then went 1-2 in the weekend series against Brown. The Tigers, now 22-21 overall and 13-8 Ivy, are next in action when they compete in the league postseason tournament from May 19-22. (Photo by Shelley Szwast, provided courtesy of Princeton Athletics)

By Justin Feil

Princeton University baseball head coach Scott Bradley had a vision for Kyle Vinci four years ago.

Vinci then was a high school player putting up strong power numbers for nearby powerhouse Delbarton School.

“He told me he wanted me to be a middle of the lineup guy putting balls into the trees in center field,” said Vinci. “I definitely knew this is what I was capable of, and it’s just great to see it.” more

May 3, 2023

After Exceeding Expectations for Maryland Women’s Hoops, Former PU Star Meyers Looking to Make Impact in WNBA

PUMPED UP: Abby Meyers screams for joy during a game this past winter for the University of Maryland women’s basketball team. Meyers, a former Princeton standout who was the Ivy League Player of the Year in 2022 in her senior season for the Tigers, helped Maryland advance to the NCAA Elite 8. In early April, Meyers was selected by the Dallas Wings in the first round of the 2023 WNBA Draft as the 11th overall pick. The Wings started training camp last Sunday. (Photo provided courtesy of Maryland Athletics)

By Justin Feil

When Abby Meyers heard her name called as the 11th pick of the 2023 WNBA Draft on April 10, it brought joyous screams from the family, close friends, high school coach, and his wife that had gathered at the basketball star’s family home in Potomac, Md.

They hadn’t anticipated her selection so early as Meyers was the final first-round pick of the Dallas Wings.

“We didn’t know what to say,” said Meyers. “It was like a star-struck moment. I was grateful for that number to be picked and for me to hear my name. My expectations were far exceeded. That’s kind of the story of this year. I have certain expectations. I set the bar low and always exceed them. I’m very happy with how it all went.”

After graduating from Princeton University in 2022 where she was named the Ivy League Player of the Year in her final season for the Tiger women’s hoops team, Meyers, a 6’0 guard, played this past year for University of Maryland as a graduate student and averaged 14.3 points per game while shooting almost 39 percent from 3-point range to earn second-team All-Big Ten honors. In her final season at Princeton, she had averaged 17.9 points per game to amass the program’s highest single season scoring total of 538 points. more

Star Defender Berry Enjoys Special Senior Day As PU Women’s Lax Tops Harvard in Home Finale

GETTING DEFENSIVE: Princeton University women’s lacrosse senior defender Shannon Berry guards the crease in a game earlier this season. Last Sunday, Berry and her classmates enjoyed a special Senior Day, helping Princeton defeat Harvard 17-13 in the regular season finale. The Tigers, now 7-8 overall and 4-3 Ivy League, are next in action when they compete in the Ivy postseason tournament in Philadelphia, which will determine the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA tourney. The third-seeded Tigers will face second-seeded Yale on May 5 in the semis with the victor advancing to the final on May 7. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

The constant rain and occasional downpours that soaked the Class of 1952 Stadium last Sunday afternoon didn’t dampen the spirits of the Princeton University women’s lacrosse team as it hosted Harvard in the regular season finale.

“I think we really embraced the rain, everyone was so excited to come out here,” said drenched senior defender Shannon Berry, clutching the bouquet of flowers she received in the Senior Day ceremony. “There were a ton of emotions definitely running through. It was our last game on ’52, it was a bittersweet moment.”

Overcoming a 6-4 second quarter deficit, Princeton pulled out a sweet 17-13 win over the Crimson. more

April 26, 2023

Ronda Enjoys Memorable Senior Day for PU Men’s Lax As Tigers Top Harvard, Set Up Ivy Title Clash at Cornell

KEEPING THE FAITH: Princeton University men’s lacrosse player Christian Ronda heads to goal in recent action. Last Saturday, Ronda enjoyed a memorable Senior Day, tallying four goals and two assists to help Princeton defeat Harvard 17-11. The No. 25 Tigers, now 6-5 overall and 4-1 Ivy League, play at No. 6 Cornell (10-2 overall, 4-1 Ivy) on April 29 with the victor earning the league’s regular season title. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

In one sense, it would appear that Christian Ronda’s first two years on the Princeton University men’s lacrosse were futile.

In 2020, Princeton’s season was halted after five games due to the global pandemic with Ronda making one appearance as a freshman and not getting off a shot.

A year later, the Ivy League canceled its spring campaign due to ongoing COVID concerns.

But Ronda soaked in some important lessons during that truncated 2020 campaign. more

PU Softball Goes 2-1 in Pivotal Series Against Harvard As Ace Pitcher Laudenslager Sets Tone with One-Hitter

SPECIAL DELIVERY: Princeton University softball star pitcher Alexis Laudenslager fires a pitch in a 2022 game. Last Friday, senior Laudenslager pitched a one-hitter to help Princeton defeat Harvard 4-0 in the opener of a three-game set between the Ivy League frontrunners. A day later, Laudenslager got the win as the Tigers topped the Crimson 8-5 in the first game of a doubleheader. Princeton fell 6-5 in the nightcap as it moved to 21-16 overall and 14-4 Ivy, one game ahead of Harvard in the league standings. The Tigers play a doubleheader at Villanova on April 25 and then conclude Ivy regular season play with a three-game set at Dartmouth with a doubleheader on April 29 and a single game on April 30. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Alexis Laudenslager planned to keep it simple as she took the pitching circle for the Princeton University softball team against Harvard last Friday afternoon in the opener of a pivotal Ivy League three-game set.

“My goal was to throw a lot of strikes,” said Princeton senior right-hander Laudenslager.

“I have played them many times in my career and I have struggled to throw strikes and I knew they would be patient.” more

Sutcliffe Stepping Down from Guiding PHS Boys’ Soccer, Ending Storied 26-Year Tenure that Featured 2 State Crowns

FOND FAREWELL: Princeton High boys’ soccer head coach Wayne Sutcliffe surveys the action in a game last fall. Sutcliffe recently announced that he is stepping down from guiding the Tigers after 26 seasons at the helm of the program. During his storied tenure, the Tigers won a slew of championships including 19 Colonial Valley Conference division titles, seven Mercer County Tournaments, seven New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Central Jersey sectional crowns, two NJSIAA state finals (2014, 2017), and two NJSIAA state championships (2009, 2012). (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Wayne Sutcliffe faced some tough competition in 1997 when he put his hat in the ring in a bid to take the helm of the Princeton High boys’ soccer program.

“I was hired to replace Ron [Celestin],” said Sutcliffe, referring to the beloved and legendary Celestin, who had guided the program to a state title before leaving to become an assistant coach for the Princeton University women’s soccer team. “There were 50 applicants for the job and I got it.”

Sutcliffe, who previously coached at Moorestown Friends and served as the technical director for Moorestown soccer club, quickly realized he had landed in a hot seat. more

April 19, 2023

With Tiger Women’s Lax Celebrating 50th Anniversary, Mulham Goes on Scoring Spree in Marathon Win over Brown

STEPPING UP: Princeton University women’s lacrosse player Kate Mulham brings the ball upfield in recent action. Last weekend, senior star Mulham tallied five goals and two assists as Princeton defeated Brown 20-16 in a game that started on Saturday and was suspended in progress due to the intense storms that pummeled the area that afternoon and finished on Sunday. The Tigers, now 6-6 overall and 3-1 Ivy League, play at Penn on April 19 and at Dartmouth in April 22. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

As the Princeton University women’s lacrosse team celebrated the 50th anniversary of the program by hosting Brown on Saturday afternoon, the festivities ended up going a little longer than planned.

The contest started around noon but didn’t end until after 1 p.m. on Sunday as the game was suspended in progress due to the intense storms that pummeled the area Saturday afternoon and evening.

The Tigers led 15-8 when the action was paused, and then closed the deal some 25 hours later by posting a 20-16 win over the Bears, improving to 6-6 overall and 3-1 Ivy League. more

PU Women’s Open Crew Varsity 8 Off to Hot Start, Facing Big Test as it Hosts Texas, Yale this Saturday

OPENING STATEMENT: The Princeton University women’s open crew varsity 8 churns through the water in a race earlier this year. The Tiger top boat defeated Virginia and Columbia at the Ivy Invite on Lake Carnegie last Saturday to remained undefeated this spring. In upcoming action, the Tigers, now 6-0 and ranked fourth nationally, host No. 1 Texas and No. 2 Yale on April 22. (Photo by Ed Hewitt/Row2K, provided courtesy of Princeton Athletics)

By Bill Alden

Coming into this spring, Lori Dauphiny wasn’t sure what to expect from her Princeton University women’s open crew.

Although Princeton produced a stellar 2022 campaign which saw it finish third in the team standings at the NCAA Championships for the first time since 1997 as the varsity 4 took first at the regatta and the first varsity 8 placed third, things didn’t go smoothly last autumn.

“Our fall was not our strongest, everyone knows that every year is a new year,” said Princeton head coach Dauphiny. “The little hiccup of the fall not being as strong as we had hoped for it to be, but it possibly did some good things too. I think it made people recognize that we have some work ahead. I think that it put some concern in people’s minds, “Oh, are we going to be able to do this.’” more

April 12, 2023

With Junior Outfielder Bandura Emerging as a Star, Tiger Baseball Finds Itself in Thick of Ivy Title Race

SEEING PROGRESS: Princeton University baseball star Scott Bandura takes in the action in a game earlier this season. Junior outfielder Bandura has starred this spring as Princeton has gone 11-16 overall and 5-4 Ivy League, a marked improvement on its 2022 campaign when it went 7-33 overall and 3-18 Ivy. In upcoming action, Princeton plays at Monmouth on April 12 and then hosts Columbia for a three-game set with a doubleheader on April 15 and a single game on April 16. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Justin Feil

Scott Bandura would like nothing more than to reach new heights with the Princeton University baseball team.

The Tiger junior is hoping to add an Ivy League championship to the success and memorable experiences he’s had at every level of the game.

He came to Princeton after helping the Springside Chestnut Hill Academy (Pa.) win the competitive Inter-Ac League championship in high school. Before high school, he played for the Taney Dragons in the 2014 Little League World Series (LLWS), catching for instant celebrity Mo’Ne Davis as she became the first girl to win a LLWS game on the mound. Their Taney Dragons team from Philadelphia got a parade, and Bandura traveled with Davis to appear on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. It’s an experience that’s since been hard to beat.  more

PU Men’s Lax Renews Historic Rivalry Against Syracuse But Can’t Overcome Slow Start as it Falls 16-13 to Orange

ORANGE BOWL: Princeton University men’s lacrosse player Jake Stevens, right, battles against Monmouth earlier this season. Last Saturday, senior midfielder Stevens scored two goals but it wasn’t enough as Princeton fell 16-13 to visiting Syracuse. It marked the first game against the Orange since 2013 as the foes renewed their historic rivalry. Princeton, now 4-5 overall, will look to get back on the winning track as it resumes Ivy League play with a game at Dartmouth on April 15. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

It was a historic rivalry that captivated the men’s lacrosse world in the 1990s and 2000s.

The matchup between Princeton and Syracuse produced national champions and classic NCAA tournament clashes during that stretch. Either Princeton or Syracuse won the NCAA championship each year from 1992 to 2004 except for two (1999, 2003). From 1992-2003, every Princeton season ended with either an NCAA title or an NCAA tournament loss to Syracuse.

The foes have met in four national title games with the teams each winning two championships as Princeton prevailed in 1992 and 2001 with the Orange winning in 2000 and 2002. more

April 5, 2023

With Senior Midfielder English Finding the Range, Princeton Men’s Lacrosse Defeats Brown 16-12

ENGLISH ACCENT: Princeton University men’s lacrosse player Sam English fires a shot in a game last year. Last Saturday, senior midfielder English tailed three goals and an assist to help Princeton defeat Brown 16-12. The Tigers, now 4-4 overall and 2-1 Ivy League, host Syracuse on April 8. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

After producing a breakout season last year by tallying 30 goals and 18 assists for the Princeton University men’s lacrosse team, Sammy English has been misfiring a bit this spring.

Coming into last Saturday’s game against visiting Brown, senior midfielder English had scored four goals with 12 assists.

But wasting no time finding the range against the Bears, English scored a goal 2:45 into the contest. He went on to notch three goals and an assist to help the Tigers pull away to a 16-12 win over Brown before a crowd of 1,712 at Class of 52 Stadium and improve to 4-4 overall and 2-1 Ivy League. more

Princeton Softball Tied Atop Ivy League Standings, But Believes There is Plenty of Room to Improve

STARK DIFFERENCE: Princeton University softball player Serena Starks takes a cut in recent action. Senior Starks has been a catalyst as the Tigers have won nine of their last 11 games and are tied with Harvard atop the Ivy League standings. The Tigers, now 13-14 overall and 7-2 Ivy, host Lehigh on April 5 and then welcome Columbia for a three-game set with a doubleheader on April 8 and a single game on April 9. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Although the Princeton University softball team has won nine of its last 11 games and is tied with Harvard atop the Ivy League standings, Lisa Van Ackeren knows that her squad has plenty of room to grow.

“We haven’t hit our stride yet,” said Princeton head coach Van Ackeren, whose team won two out of three games last weekend at Penn and is now 13-14 overall and 7-2 Ivy. “We are winning games. We are in a place where we are tied for first and all of those things are great after three weekends of league play, but we haven’t played our best game yet. In some ways that is frustrating, but also in other ways really exciting. There are a lot of good things to come.”

The Tigers have been showing some good things in close games. more

March 29, 2023

Tiger Men’s Hoops Ousted in NCAA Sweet 16, But Magical Run Leaving Indelible Memories

END OF THE RUN: Princeton University men’s basketball player Tosan Evbuomwan drives to the hoop in recent action. Last Friday, senior standout Evbuomwan tallied 24 points in a losing cause as 15th-seeded Princeton fell 86-75 to sixth-seeded Creighton in the NCAA Sweet 16 at the South Regional in Louisville, Ky. The defeat left the Tigers with a final record of 23-9 and ended a magical run which saw the Tigers advance to the Sweet 16 for the first time since the tournament was expanded to 64 teams in 1985. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Last Friday night, the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Ky., was transformed into Jadwin Gym south as the 15th-seeded Princeton University men’s basketball team faced sixth-seeded Creighton in the NCAA Sweet 16 at the South regional.

The arena was a sea of orange and the Princeton fans were in full roar, serenading their squad with chants of “let’s go Tigers” as tip-off approached.

In the first half, Princeton gave its fans plenty to cheer about as it built a 38-35 lead with 4:28 to go before halftime. more

Senior Guard Langborg Goes Out with a Bang in Defeat As PU Men’s Hoops Falls to Creighton in NCAA Tourney

FIGHT TO THE FINISH: Princeton University men’s basketball player Ryan Langborg, left, drives around Penn’s George Smith in the Ivy League postseason tournament. Last Friday night, senior guard Langborg scored a game-high and career-high 26 points as 15th-seeded Princeton fell 86-75 to sixth-seeded Creighton last Friday in the Sweet 16 at the NCAA South Regional in Louisville, Ky. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

His eyes were reddened but Ryan Langborg managed a smile after the Princeton University men’s basketball team fell 86-75 to Creighton last Friday night in the Sweet 16 at the NCAA South Regional in Louisville, Ky.

Reflecting on Princeton’s magical run which saw the 15th-seeded Tigers upset second-seeded Arizona and seventh-seeded Missouri before losing to the sixth-seeded Bluejays, senior guard Langborg focused on the bonds with his teammates rather than the sting of the defeat.

“As much as you guys see us having fun on the court, we have even more fun when we are off the court, hanging out and playing video games together in the hotel,” said Langborg, standing in the Tiger locker room at the KFC Yum! Center a half hour after the loss that left the squad with a final record of 23-9. “We play a little trivia game all of the time; it just laughing and hanging out with my best buddies.” more

Local Standouts Scott, Ettin Enjoyed the Journey As PU Men’s Hoops Made Trip to NCAA Sweet 16

 

AMAZING JOURNEY: Princeton University men’s basketball player Jack Scott, left, a Hun School alum, and Tiger assistant coach Skye Ettin, a former Princeton High and The College of New Jersey standout, show their joy after upset victories in the opening rounds of the NCAA tournament. Last week, the pair were in Louisville, Ky., as the Tigers played in the Sweet 16. While the 15th-seeded Tigers fell 86-75 to sixth-seeded Creighton last Friday night at the South Regional, they will have special memories of the historic 2022-23 campaign. (Photos provided courtesy of Princeton Athletics)

By Bill Alden

Jack Scott and Skye Ettin honed their basketball skills by toiling in gyms all over New Jersey.

Scott played three years for the Hun School boys’ basketball team from 2019-22 while Ettin starred at Princeton High before going to The College of New Jersey where he served as a team captain for three seasons, culminating with the 2014-15 campaign.

Last week, the pair was 700 miles and worlds away from their Garden State roots as they arrived in Louisville, Ky., for the NCAA Sweet 16 as members of the 15th-seeded Princeton University men’s hoops squad that had captivated the nation with stunning upsets of second-seeded Arizona and seventh-seeded Missouri in the first weekend of March Madness on the way to the South Regional.

For Tiger freshman guard Scott, the highlight of the run, which saw Princeton advance to the Sweet 16 for the first time since the tournament was expanded to 64 teams in 1985, has been the bonds developed with his teammates. more

With Sophomore Star Mackesy Exploding for 8 Goals, PU Men’s Lax Routs Yale 23-10, Snaps 4-Game Skid

GOAL-ORIENTED: Princeton University men’s lacrosse player Coulter Mackesy goes to goal in a 2022 game. Last Saturday, sophomore attacker Mackesy fired in a career-high eight goals to help Princeton defeat Yale 23-10 and snap a four-game losing streak. Mackesy, who also added two assists to reach a career-high 10 points and become the ninth player in program history to reach double figures in a game, was later named the Ivy League Player of the Week. Princeton, now 3-4 overall and 1-1 Ivy, hosts Brown on April 1. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Justin Feil

Although the Princeton University men’s lacrosse team’s matchup with Yale last Saturday came halfway through the regular season, it had a must-win feeling as the Tigers challenged themselves from top to bottom.

“All our groups — coaches, players, staff, everyone — put a ton of pressure on themselves this week to have a better sense of urgency and clean it up a little bit,” said Princeton head coach Matt Madalon. “And then get yourself in a position to execute on game day. I’m really impressed with our seniors and captains again. We went at those guys pretty hard and had them teetering — you’ve gotta believe or not believe. Those guys did a really good job of believing and getting it back. You’re a couple opportunities, a couple bounces away from not feeling like that.”

The Tigers were coming off four straight losses, including back-to-back deflating overtime defeats to Rutgers (14-13 on March 11) and Penn (9-8 on March 18). It would have been easy for Princeton to tighten up further when they fell behind 1-0 to the Bulldogs over the first eight minutes, hit a pair of pipes, and saw top face-off specialist Tyler Sandoval go down with an apparent knee injury.

Then sophomore attacker Coulter Mackesy, whose shots had been the ones to clang off the pipe, including one from midfield with the Yale goalie scrambling back into cage, scored to tie it. Barely a minute later, he tallied another to help Princeton go ahead. Mackesy ended up scoring five straight to help the Tigers grab an 8-1 lead and control of the game on their way to a record-setting 23-10 victory over the visiting Bulldogs at Class of 1952 Stadium on otherwise dreary Saturday. The 23 goals scored were the most the Tigers have ever had against Yale in the 108 meetings in the series.
“If you get a hot hand, keep shooting,” said Mackesy, who finished with a career-high eight goals and two assists for 10 points, making him the ninth player in program history to reach double figures in a game. “I was just playing free and loose. Shooting to score is kind of the biggest thing. Playing relaxed out there and having fun, it made it easier for me. There was high energy from the whole team.” more

March 22, 2023

Producing Stunning NCAA Run, PU Men’s Hoops Makes Sweet 16

HOW SWEET IT IS: Princeton University men’s basketball star Matt Allocco jumps for joy in the waning moments of 15th-seeded Princeton’s 59-55 upset of second-seeded Arizona last Thursday in their NCAA tournament South Region first-round game in Sacramento, Calif. The Tigers went on to defeat seventh-seeded Missouri 78-63 on Saturday to advance to the Sweet 16. Princeton will face sixth-seeded Creighton (23-12) in a round of 16 contest on March 24 in Louisville, Ky. (Photo provided by Princeton Athletics)

By Justin Feil

The Princeton University men’s basketball team is still dancing after winning two straight games to start the NCAA tournament.

That hasn’t happened since Tiger fans were dancing in 1965 to the No. 1 song “My Girl,” by the Temptations.

“I feel like these guys; it’s unbelievable,” said Princeton head coach Mitch Henderson, reflecting on his squad’s stunning run.

Princeton won a pair of games in different fashion to reach the Sweet 16 in the NCAA tournament. The 15th-seeded Tigers relied on a determined defensive effort to rally late past second-seeded Arizona for a 59-55 victory in their South Region first-round game last Thursday in Sacramento, Calif. more

Showing Grit, Stifling Defense in Dramatic NCAA Run Tiger Women’s Hoops Edges N.C. State, Falls to Utah

STONE COLD: Princeton University women’s basketball player Grace Stone heads to the hoop in recent action. Last Friday, senior guard Stone drained a three-pointer with 4.7 seconds left in regulation to give the 10th-seeded Tigers a 64-63 win over seventh-seeded N.C. State in the first round of the NCAA tournament’s Greenville 2 Region in Salt Lake City, Utah. Two days later, Stone scored 16 points with a game-high four 3-pointers but it wasn’t enough as Princeton fell 63-56 to second-seeded Utah. The defeat left the Tigers with a final record of 24-6. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Grace Stone clearly didn’t want it to end.

As Princeton University women’s basketball team trailed  N.C. State last Friday in the first round of the NCAA tournament’s Greenville 2 Region in Salt Lake City, Utah, senior guard Stone drained a three-pointer from the corner to give the Tigers a 64-63 win and keep their season alive.

“That is a play we practiced over, and over; that is a shot I have taken in a game before,” said Stone, who scored with 4.7 seconds left in the game. “I think my teammates have all the confidence in the world in me. I knew, if I missed the shot, they would get the offensive rebound. It is really hard not to shoot with confidence when you have teammates like mine. Yes, I think before the play, I knew what shot we had to get. When it happened, I blacked out. Then afterwards, just a bunch of hugs.”

Princeton head coach Carla Berube was not surprised to see Stone come up with the clutch bucket. more

Tiger Women’s Lax Loses Nail-Biter to Penn State, But Junior Midfielder Buonanno Shines in Defeat

KARI ON: Princeton University women’s lacrosse player Kari Buonanno races upfield last Saturday against Penn State. Junior midfielder Buonanno tallied four goals and an assist in a losing cause as Princeton fell 16-14 to the Nittany Lions. The Tigers, now 3-3, play at Cornell on March 25. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Kari Buonanno has dealt with plenty of adversity over her career with the Princeton University women’s lacrosse team.

As a freshmen, Buonanno’s season was halted after five games when the sports world was shut down in March 2020 due to the COVID pandemic.

After taking a gap year, Buonanno returned to the team last spring and missed five games due to injury.

Back at full speed coming into the 2023 campaign, Buonanno is primed to make up for lost time. more

March 20, 2023

PU Women’s Hoops Falls to Utah in Second Round of NCAA Tournament

By Bill Alden

A late rally fell short for the 10th-seeded Princeton University women’s basketball team as it lost 63-56 to second-seeded Utah in the second round of the NCAA tournament Sunday night in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The Tigers trailed 40-30 midway through the third quarter and narrowed the gap to 50-48 with 7:00 left in regulation but could get no closer than that as they ended the season with a 24-6 record. Junior guard Kaitlyn Chen tallied 19 points to lead the Tigers, with senior Grace Stone chipping in 16 points in her final appearance for Princeton.

While the defeat stung, Princeton head coach Carla Berube had no qualms with the effort she got from her scrappy squad.

“We feel like we came up short of our goal, but you know I think we battled from minute one to minute 40, and I couldn’t be prouder of my team and how hard we played,” said Berube, whose team is the first Ivy League women’s program to post NCAA tourney wins in consecutive seasons.

“Some shots just didn’t fall for us,” said Berube. “They fouled a little bit too much. Utah is a very, very good team — very talented, hard to guard. Really great at every position. We had our work cut out for us. But I think we were right there. I’m just so happy that I get to coach them every single day and when I put on my Princeton shirt every day and represent them, it’s such a great gift.”

March 19, 2023

PU Men’s Basketball Team Advances to Sweet 16

By Bill Alden

Advancing to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1967, the 15th-seeded Princeton University men’s basketball team whipped seventh-seeded Missouri 79-63 in a second-round contest Saturday night in Sacramento, Calif.

Senior guard Ryan Langborg scored a game-high 22 points to pace the Tigers, who jumped out to a 33-26 halftime lead and then reeled off a 13-2 run midway through the second half and cruised to victory. Princeton, now 23-8, will head to the South Regional in Louisville, Ken., where they will face the winner of the second-round game between third-seeded Baylor and sixth-seeded Creighton in the Round of 16 on March 24.

For Princeton head coach Mitch Henderson, a former Tiger standout who helped the program win NCAA first round games in 1996 and 1998, making the Sweet 16 is a literally a dream come true.

“I’ve always dreamed of playing deep into the tournament,” said Henderson, who got 17 points off the bench from sophomore Blake Peters with senior star Tosan Evbuomwan contributing nine points, nine rebounds, and five assists. “As a player, I got to the second round a couple times. Never got beyond it. I feel like for these guys, it’s unbelievable.”

Evbuomwan, for his part, shared Henderson’s sentiments.

“I can’t really put the feeling into words right now, to be honest,” said Evbuomwan. “It’s just an unreal feeling to do this with my guys and my teammates, coaching staff. Like coach said, it’s been a few years in the making, I think. We just have such a close group. We love to work with each other. We love to push each other. It’s showing. Just a group of really tough guys. It’s all coming together at the right time I think.”