January 9, 2019

Stephens Displays Senior Leadership, Passion, As PU Men’s Hoops Edges Penn in Ivy Opener

BOUND FOR GLORY: Princeton University men’s basketball player Myles Stephens, left, snags a rebound last Saturday against Penn. Senior star Stephens grabbed a career-high boards and scored 11 points to help Princeton edge the Quakers 68-65 in overtime in the Ivy League opener for both teams. The Tigers, now 8-5 overall, will have a rematch against Penn on January 12 in Philadelphia at The Palestra. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Myles Stephens has been battling an injured knee in recent weeks, but he was determined to block out the pain as the Princeton University men’s basketball team hosted Penn last Saturday in the Ivy League opener.

“I haven’t played much this past week, trying to get it better,” said senior guard Stephens, a native of nearby  Lawrenceville. “It is Penn, so ‘by any means necessary’ is what we say.”

The 6’5, 210-pound Stephens displayed a mean game in the paint against the Quakers, pulling down a career-high 16 rebounds and chipping in 11 points to help Princeton pull out a 68-65 overtime nail-biter in front of a throng of 4,212 packing Jadwin Gym. more

Sucharda Making Most of Senior Campaign, Sizzling PU Women’s Hockey on 12-0-4 Run

FINAL PUSH: Princeton University women’s hockey player Stephanie Sucharda fires the puck in recent action. Last weekend, senior defenseman and team captain Sucharda starred as Princeton defeated Harvard 4-1 on Friday and Dartmouth 5-2 on Saturday. Sucharda tallied an assist against the Crimson and added a goal a day later to help the fifth-ranked Tigers extend their program-record unbeaten streak to 16. Princeton, now 12-2-4 overall and 10-0-2 ECAC Hockey, plays at Cornell on January 11 and at Colgate on January 12. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

When the Princeton University women’s hockey team hosted Merrimack for a two-game set in its first action after the holiday break, Stephanie Sucharda realized that the clock is ticking on her college career.

For senior defenseman and team captain Sucharda, the holidays drove home the fact that she only has weeks left with the Tigers.

“It is kind of sad, coming back from Christmas break, you realize that you are halfway done the season,” said Sucharda, a  5’8 native of Mississauga, Ontario.  more

Picking Up his Scoring for PU Men’s Hockey, Defenseman Topatigh Emerging as Standout

By Bill Alden

Having emerged as a key defenseman for the Princeton University men’s hockey team in his first two years with the program, Derek Topatigh was ready to shoulder more responsibility in his junior campaign.

“We have a lot of young defense, me and [Josh] Teves, we really have to try and step and be leaders this year,” said Topatigh,  “It has been a learning process for the young guys.”

As Princeton returned from its holiday break to host a two-game set against Maine in the last weekend of December, Topatigh and his teammates were primed to get back on the winning track.

“We have been on a bit of a skid before this weekend; we all came back from Christmas break mentally prepared and ready to go,” said Topatigh, a 5’11, 185-pound native of Mississauga, Ontario. more

PU Men’s Hockey Produces Good Moments But Inconsistency Results in 0-2 Weekend

THOM CRUISE: Princeton University men’s hockey player Matthew Thom glides on the ice in recent action. Last Friday, sophomore defenseman Thom contributed a goal and an assist as Princeton lost 3-2 to visiting Cornell. A night later Thom and the Tigers fell 4-3 to Colgate. Princeton, now 5-10-2 overall and 3-6-1 ECAC Hockey, will look to get in the winning track when they host Harvard on January 11 and Dartmouth in January 12. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Since getting off to a 3-1-1 start, inconsistency has become the constant for the Princeton University men’s hockey team since mid-November.

The Tigers have gone 2-9-1 in that stretch and a frustrating 3-2 loss to Cornell last Friday evening served as a microcosm of that uneven play. Princeton dug a 2-0 hole in the first period and then fought back to tie the game at 2-2 early in the third period only 3-2 on a goal that was originally waved off but hen reinstate after official review. more

PU Women’s Hoops Gets Big Game from Alarie But Fades Late in Loss to Penn in Ivy Opener

PENNED IN: Princeton University women’s basketball player Bella Alarie puts up a shot under duress as the Tigers hosted Penn last Saturday. Junior star Alarie posted a double-double with 21 points and 17 rebounds but it was not enough as Princeton fell 66-60 in the Ivy League opener for both teams. The Tigers, who dropped to 8-8 overall and saw their seven-game winning streak snapped, will now be on hiatus for exam break and return to action when they play at Columbia on February 1. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

With the Princeton University women’s basketball team trailing visiting Penn 37-34 midway through the third quarter last Saturday in the Ivy League opener, Bella Alarie took control of the contest.

Princeton junior star Alarie scored eight points over the last 3:41 of the quarter to help the Tigers forge ahead 44-39.

“We definitely felt like we needed to play off our momentum we took in the third quarter,” said Alarie. “I think this crowd was amazing tonight. The amount of people who showed up and were cheering us on was really special. We played off their energy.” more

December 26, 2018

Breakthrough Championships, Dominant Performances Made 2018 a Memorable Year on Local Sports Scene

TOUGH LOVE: Princeton University quarterback John Lovett heads upfield in a game this fall. Playing through a broken left wrist, senior star Lovett triggered the offense as Princeton went 10-0 overall and 7-0 Ivy League, the program’s first perfect campaign since 1964. Lovett was awarded the 2018 Bushnell Cup as the Ivy League Offensive Player of the Year after passing for 1,833 yards and 18 touchdowns and rushing for 894 yards and 13 touchdowns. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Over the course of 2018, the national sporting scene saw some breakthrough championships while other franchises solidified their status as perennial title contenders. In the NFL, the Philadelphia Eagles won their first Super Bowl, rewarding their long-suffering fans. On the ice, the Washington Capitals came through with their first-ever Stanley Cup, bringing a rare unity to the nation’s capital. Long past any curse, the Boston Red Sox defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series, earning their fourth title in the last 14 years. Out west, the incomparable Golden State Warriors won their second straight NBA crown and third in the last four years.

On the local scene, the Princeton University men’s hockey team experienced a breakthrough of its own, capping an extended rebuilding process by winning the ECACH tournament for the first time since 2008. The Princeton women’s basketball team regained the Ivy crown, winning the league’s postseason tournament for the first time as it earned its sixth title in the last nine seasons. The Tiger men’s track team won its fourth consecutive indoor Ivy League Heptagonal Championship and 21st overall indoor title. more

Showing Leadership Through Total Commitment, PU Wrestler Brucki Emerging as Dominant Force

EYE OF THE TIGER: Princeton University wrestler Patrick Brucki eyes an opponent. Sophomore star Brucki is currently ranked fourth in the nation at 197 pounds and is looking forward to competing in the prestigious Midlands Championships from December 29-30 in Chicago. (Photo by Beverly Schaefer, provided courtesy of Princeton’s Office of Athletic Communications)

By Justin Feil

Patrick Brucki has taken on a new motto this year, one that dates back almost exactly 500 years.

Burn the ships.

In 1519, Hernan Cortes is said to have ordered his men to burn their ships upon arriving in Veracruz, Mexico, to conquer the Aztec Empire. It was a declaration by the Spanish conquistador that there would be no turning back, and Brucki is approaching his second season of wrestling at Princeton University the same way.

“If you’re going to do something, just put everything into it and eliminate all odds of failure because if you’re not committed to it, you’re not going to do it,” said sophomore Brucki, a native of Orland Park, Ill., who competes at 197 pounds.

“This year, it’s pretty much if something is there, I’m going to take it. If an opportunity presents itself, I’m going to jump on it. If I don’t that’s my fault. I’m trying to eliminate the hesitation, eliminate the timidness, enjoy the moment, and our coaching staff is so good at teaching us how to have fun out there and enjoy what we’re doing. I’m really happy with the transition I’ve had from last year to this in terms of being more open and having a more free mindset and wrestling style.” more

December 19, 2018

Displaying Leadership with Game-Winning 3, Rush Helps PU Women’s Hoops Edge Marist

LATE RUSH: Princeton University women’s basketball player Gabrielle Rush dribbles past a foe in recent action. Last Saturday, senior guard and co-captain Rush hit a three-pointer in the waning seconds to give Princeton a 60-57 win over visiting Marist and their fourth straight victory. The Tigers, now 5-7, play at St. Francis-Brooklyn on December 19 and at Hartford on December 21. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

As a freshman benchwarmer for the Princeton University women’s basketball team in the winter of 2015-16, Gabrielle Rush would have had trouble imaging the situation she found herself in last Saturday evening.

With Princeton locked in 57-57 tie against visiting Marist in the waning moments of regulation, senior guard and co-captain Rush got the ball at the top of the key with an opportunity to be a hero. She responded by swishing a three-pointer with 28 seconds left that proved to be the difference as Princeton won 60-57 to earn its fourth straight victory and improve to 5-7. more

December 12, 2018

Alarie Returns with a Bang for PU Women’s Hoops, Sparking Tigers to 54-42 Victory over Quinnipiac

HAPPY RETURN: Princeton University women’s basketball player Bella Alarie goes up for a shot in a game last winter. This past Saturday against visiting Quinnipiac, junior star and reigning Ivy League Player of the Year Alarie made her season debut after being sidelined for nine games due to a broken arm. Alarie picked up where she left off last year, scoring 16 points and grabbing a career-high 19 rebounds to help Princeton prevail 54-42. She was later named the Ivy League Player of the Week. The Tigers, now 3-7, host Marist on December 15. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Justin Feil

Bella Alarie came back in a big way.

The reigning Ivy League Player of the Year returned after missing the first nine games this season for Princeton University women’s basketball team due to a broken arm to score 16 points and snare a career-high 19 rebounds in the Tigers’ 54-42 win over Quinnipiac at Jadwin Gym last Saturday evening. more

With Aririguzoh Emerging as Inside Force, PU Men’s Hoops Heading in Right Direction

RISING FORCE: Princeton University men’s basketball player Richmond Aririguzoh heads to the basket in recent action. Junior center Aririguzoh is emerging as an inside force this winter for the Tigers. The former Trenton Catholic Academy standout scored a career-high 14 points in a 92-82 loss to the visiting Saint Joseph’s last Wednesday and then matched that output in an 89-74 loss to St. John’s last Sunday in Madison Square Garden in New York City. Princeton, now 4-4, faces Iona at Atlantic City on December 15 and then plays at No. 2 Duke on December 18. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Richmond Aririguzoh was a definite work in progress offensively in his first two seasons on the Princeton University men’s basketball team.

While the 6’9, 230-pound Aririguzoh, a former star for Trenton Catholic Academy, possessed the size and athleticism to pound the boards and run the floor, his low-post game lacked polish. He averaged 1.5 points a game in 13 appearances as a freshman and 2.7 points in 27 contests last year. more

Slumping Tiger Men’s Hockey Falls Twice to ASU, Will Look to Snap 7-Game Slide Against Penn State

DEVIL OF A TIME: Princeton University men’s hockey player Alex Riche, right, goes after the puck in recent action. Last Saturday against visiting Arizona State, senior forward Riche contributed an assist in a losing cause as Princeton fell 3-2 to the No. 19 Sun Devils to get swept in the two-game set between the foes, having lost 4-0 a night earlier. The Tigers, who have now suffered seven straight losses to drop to 3-8-1 overall, face No. 9 Penn State (11-5-1 overall) on December 15 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

It didn’t take long for a struggling Princeton University men’s hockey team to dig a hole as it hosted No. 19 Arizona Stare last Friday at Hobey Baker Rink in the opener of of a two-game set between the foes.

Coming into the evening mired in a five-game losing streak, Princeton yielded a goal in the first 15 seconds of the contest and found itself trailing 2-0 by the end of the first period.

“We were very soft in the first period; on the very first shift, we come down in bad coverage,” said Princeton head coach Ron Fogarty. “That is inexcusable, we have to be ready to go from puck drop.” more

December 5, 2018

Freshman Star Fillier Making Immediate Impact As PU Women’s Hockey Rises to Top of ECACH

FILLING IT UP: Princeton University women’s hockey player Sarah Fillier heads up the ice in recent action. Freshman forward Fillier came up big last weekend, chipping in three assists as Princeton edged Quinnipiac 3-2 in Friday and then scoring two goals a day later as the Tigers topped the Bobcats 4-1 in the finale of a two-game set between the rivals. Fillier was later named the ECAC Hockey Rookie of the Week. The 6th-ranked Tigers, now 7-2-3 overall and 6-0-2 ECAC Hockey, play at Rensselaer on December 7 and at Union on December 8. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Sarah Fillier had to skip four games this November during her freshman campaign with the Princeton University women’s hockey team but she had a pretty good excuse.

The star forward was competing for Team Canada for the 4 Nations Cup from November 6-10 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan as the only collegiate freshman on the squad. more

Cressey Tallies Twice Against Quinnipiac But PU Men’s Hockey Falls 6-3, Skid at 5

JACKED UP: Princeton University men’s hockey player Jackson Cressey controls the puck in a game earlier this season. Last Saturday, junior forward Cressey scored two goals, but it wasn’t enough as Princeton fell 6-3 to Quinnipiac to suffer its fifth straight defeat. The Tigers, now 3-6-1 overall and 3-3-1 ECAC Hockey, will look to get back on the winning track when they host Arizona State for a two-game set on December 7 and 8. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Having been on the road for the last two weeks and losing all four games, Jackson Cressey and his teammates on the Princeton University men’s hockey team were happy to be back at the friendly confines of Hobey Baker Rink.

Hosting Quinnipiac last Saturday evening, Princeton jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first period as junior forward Cressey took A feed from senior defenseman Josh Teves and found the back of the net. more

Hun Alum Morales Emerging as Sparkplug, Helping PU Mens’ Hoops Earn 3rd Straight Win

YES WAY, JOSE: Princeton University men’s basketball player Jose Morales displays his defensive intensity in a game last winter. Junior guard Morales, a former Hun School standout, provided a spark for Princeton as it defeated George Washington 73-52 last Saturday. Morales contributed 13 points, four rebounds, and three steals as the Tigers posted their third straight win and improved to 4-2. Princeton hosts Saint Joseph’s on December 5 before facing St. John’s on December 9  in the Holiday Festival at Madison Square Garden in New York City. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Jose Morales logged just 149 minutes in 28 appearances off the bench in his first two winters on the Princeton University men’s basketball team.

Over the last four games this season, junior guard Morales, a former Hun School standout, has played 120 minutes, emerging as a spark of the Tigers with his scrappy play and fearless drives to the hoop. more

PU Women’s Hoops Snaps 7-Game Losing Streak As Senior Jordan Steps Up with Clutch Buckets

AIR JORDAN: Princeton University women’s basketball player Sydney Jordan goes up for a shot in a game earlier this season. Last Sunday, senior forward and co-captain Jordan matched her career-high with 14 points to help Princeton rally to a 65-57 win over Davidson and snap a seven-game losing streak. The Tigers, now 2-7, host Quinnipiac on December 8 before playing at Monmouth on December 11. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Sydney Jordan knows that she needs to be more aggressive offensively for the Princeton University women’s basketball team as it currently has three top players sidelined due to injury.

“Coach [Courtney Banghart] is looking for me to help out in the scoring,” said senior forward and co-captain Jordan.

“We need points because we have had a lot of injuries. It is finding more people to help on offense; I have been trying to help out with that.”

Last Sunday against visiting Davidson, Jordan was a big help for Princeton, scoring two key buckets in the last four minutes of the game and matching her career high with 14 points as the Tigers rallied to a 65-57 victory.

“A lot of our roles have been different than what we thought it would be when we got here at the beginning of the year,” said Jordan, a 6’0 native of Manassas, Va. who is averaging 7.7 points a game this season after scoring 5.0 points a game last winter.

“Everyone has been stepping up a lot, trying to work harder and bring each other along and bring energy. That is something we can all do.”

Stepping up down the stretch on Sunday to get the win and snapping a seven-game losing streak was a confidence builder for the Tigers, now 2-7.

“We have had some close games early in the season and we haven’t been able pull it out,” said Jordan.

“We came in this one knowing that we needed to win. We were all fired up to get a win at home to start off December the right way.”

Jordan credited sophomore guard Carlie Littlefield with getting the Tigers fired up as they ended the game with a 21-8 run over the last five minutes to wipe out a 49-44 deficit against the Wildcats.

“It was a lot from our point guard Carlie Littlefield, just telling us, ‘hey guys we need this one’ and getting on us, bringing some energy on the court,” said Jordan more

November 28, 2018

Not Letting Shoulder Injuries Derail his Senior Season, Payne Helped PU Men’s Water Polo Reach NCAAs

PAINFUL ENDING: Princeton University men’s water polo player Matt Payne fires the ball in recent action. Last Saturday senior star Payne tallied four goals and two assists but it wasn’t enough as 12th-ranked Princeton fell 14-13 in overtime to No. 16 George Washington in the opening round of the NCAA tournament. The defeat left the Tigers with a final record of 19-11. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Justin Feil

Matt Payne will have surgery on one shoulder on December 15 and surgery six weeks later to fix the other one.

Torn labrums caused the Princeton University men’s water polo senior star’s shoulders to repeatedly come out of socket. They ached plenty over the final weeks of the team’s 2018 campaign, but he wasn’t about to miss his last year.

“For me, it was my last season of a 17-year playing career,” said Payne, a 6’2 native of Laguna Beach, Calif.

“I just grew so close to these guys over the last couple years, and the freshmen this year have been the closest I’ve been to a first-year class the whole time I’ve been here, so it really inspired me.” more

Sparked by Return of Senior Standout Cannady, PU Men’s Hoops Rallies for Win at Monmouth

CAN DO: Princeton University men’s basketball player Devin Cannady dribbles upcourt in a game last season. On Saturday, senior guard Cannady scored 21 points to help Princeton overcome a 12-point second half deficit to edge Monmouth 60-57. Cannady, who scored the last eight points of the game for the Tigers, was later named the Ivy League Player of the Week. Princeton, now 2-2, plays at Maine on November 28 before hosting George Washington on December 1. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

After being sidelined for the first two games of the season due to a hamstring injury, Devin Cannady didn’t miss a beat as he took the court for the Princeton University men’s basketball team last Wednesday against visiting Fairleigh Dickinson.

“I always do a pretty good job of staying in shape, so it was good to just get back out there and let my legs be free,” said senior guard Cannady. more

November 21, 2018

PU Football Pulls Away to 42-14 Win Over Penn, Achieving Program’s 1st Perfect Season Since 1964

HEADING INTO HISTORY: Princeton University football player Jesper Horsted races past Penn defenders last Saturday. Senior star wide receiver Horsted made eight catches for 165 yards and three touchdowns to help Princeton defeat the Quakers 42-14 and put the finishing touches on a perfect season for the Tigers. Princeton ended the fall at 10-0 overall and 7-0 Ivy League. It marked the program’s first undefeated season since the 1964 team went 9-0 and its first outright Ivy title since 1995. Horsted, for his part, passed Kevin Guthrie to grab the Princeton record for career receptions, ending his career with 196 catches and 2,703 receiving yards, the second most in program history. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

With no Princeton University football team having posted an undefeated season since 1964 when the Tigers went 9-0, this year’s squad set its sights set on perfection.

“Before the season we got together and talked about our goals for the year were and that was the biggest stated one that we were all working toward,” said Princeton senior receiver Jesper Horsted. “The way to be the best we could be was to go 10-0.” more

PU Field Hockey Produces Fierce Defensive Effort But Loses 1-0 to Maryland in OT at NCAA Semis

OVER AND OUT: Princeton University field hockey player Elise Wong tracks a ball in a game this season. Senior defender Wong starred in a losing cause as third-seeded Princeton fell 1-0 in overtime to second-seeded Maryland in the NCAA semifinals. The defeat left the Tigers with a final record of 15-5. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Hosting Maryland in mid-September, the Princeton University field hockey team couldn’t hold the fort as the high-powered Terps rallied from a 4-1 deficit to pull out a 5-4 win in overtime.

When the foes met against last Friday in the NCAA semifinals in Louisville, Ky., Tiger senior defender Elise Wong was confident that Princeton could contain the Terps. more

Falling to Michigan in Marathon Shootout at NCAAs, Tiger Men’s Soccer Displayed Skill, Competitive Fire

ROUGH FINISH: Princeton University men’s soccer player Benji Issroff heads the ball up the field in a game earlier this season. Last Thursday, junior defender Issroff helped the Princeton defense stymie Michigan in the first round of the NCAA tournament as the teams tied at 1-1 through 90 minutes of regulation and 20 minutes of overtime. The game went to penalty kicks and the Wolverines ended up prevailing 11-10 in a shootout that went 14 rounds, nine past the typical five. The heartbreaking loss left the Tigers with a final record of 10-5-3. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

The Princeton University men’s soccer team didn’t play like an underdog at host Michigan in the NCAA tournament last Thursday.

The Tigers players took exception to an online preview by Top Draw Soccer that said Princeton needed “to keep this low-scoring, sit deep, and look for chances on the counter attack or set pieces,” in order to compete. more

With Junior Thompson Providing Scoring Punch, PU Women’s Hockey Moves Into ECACH Lead

BLACK MAGIC: Princeton University women’s hockey player Claire Thompson controls the puck in action last weekend. Junior defenseman Thompson tallied a goal and two assists to help Princeton defeat Colgate 6-0 on Friday in the program’s first-ever #BlackOutBaker game and then chipped in an assist as the Tigers tied Cornell 2-2 a day later. League-leading Princeton, now 5-2-3 overall and 4-0-2 ECAC Hockey, is next in action when it hosts Quinnipiac on November 30. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

With the Princeton University women’s hockey team holding its first-ever #BlackOutBaker game as it hosted Colgate last Friday, Claire Thompson helped the Tigers get out to an early lead.

Junior defenseman Thompson blasted in a shot from the point as Princeton jumped ahead 1-0 with 7:20 left in the first period.

“Annie [MacDonald] did a really good job in the corner getting the puck free and she sucked their d-zone down into them which made me free,” said Thompson, wearing eye black as part of the black-out festivities. more

Point Guard Littlefield Taking On Scoring Load As Shorthanded PU Women’s Hoops Starts 1-3

By Bill Alden

Carlie Littlefield sees herself as a pass-first point guard for the Princeton University women’s basketball team.

Last winter in her freshman campaign, Littlefield had 84 assists, second on the team to senior star Leslie Robinson, and averaged 8.3 points a game.

But with Robinson having graduated and rising sophomore shooting guard Abby Meyers away from school this year and junior star and reigning Ivy League Player of the Year Bella Alarie out with a broken arm, Littlefield is shouldering more of the scoring load this winter. more

November 14, 2018

Princeton Football Overruns Yale in 59-43 Victory, Improving to 9-0, Clinching Share of Ivy Crown

TITLE RUN: Princeton University football player Collin Eaddy heads upfield in recent action. Last Saturday, sophomore running back Eaddy gained a career-high 266 yards to help Princeton defeat Yale 59-43 and clinch at least a share of the Ivy League title. The 9th-ranked Tigers, now 9-0 overall and 6-0 Ivy, will look to end the fall undefeated as they host Penn (6-3 overall, 3-3 Ivy) on November 17 in their season finale. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Bob Surace sensed that there could be some offensive fireworks as the Princeton University football team played at Yale last Saturday afternoon.

“On a tough surface, it does favor the offenses in a lot of ways because you know where you are going with the ball with the change of direction,” said Surace, in assessing the muddy surface at the Yale Bowl. more

Junior Star Bacskai Comes Through in Clutch, Helping PU Field Hockey Make NCAA Semis

PUSH BACK: Princeton University field hockey player Maddie Bacskai tracks the ball last Friday against Virginia in the opening round of the NCAA tournament. Junior defender Bacskai scored the winning goal in the game as the Tigers edged the Cavaliers 2-1. Two days later against Harvard in the NCAA quarterfinals, Bacskai struck again, tallying the winning goal in a 2-1 victory over the Crimson.  (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Maddie Bacskai knew from personal experience that the Princeton University field hockey team was in for a battle when it hosted Virginia in the first round of the NCAA tournament last Friday. more

Sparked by Sophomore Tornetta’s Offensive Skill, PU Field Hockey Edges Harvard, Heads to Final 4

STICKING WITH IT: Princeton University field hockey player Julianna Tornetta gets ready to strike the ball in NCAA tournament action last weekend. On Sunday, sophomore star Tornetta scored a goal and added an assist as Princeton rallied from a 1-0 deficit to defeat Harvard 2-1 in the NCAA quarters. The third-seeded Tigers, now 15-4, will face second-seeded Maryland (21-2) on November 16 in the national semis in Louisville, Ky. with the winner advancing to the title game on November 18. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

With the Princeton University field hockey team trailing visiting Harvard 1-0 in the NCAA quarterfinals with 11:34 remaining in the second half, Julianna Tornetta was on the spot, literally.

Lining up a penalty stroke in a one-on-one confrontation seven yards in front of Harvard goalie Ellie Shahbo, Princeton sophomore star midfielder Tornetta had the chance to even up the tense contest with one swing of her stick. more