PRESSED OUT: Princeton University women’s basketball player Madison St. Rose battles to get past a Columbia defender in a game earlier this season. Last Saturday, sophomore guard St. Rose scored a team-high 22 points but it wasn’t enough as ninth-seeded Princeton fell 63-53 to eighth-seeded West Virginia in an NCAA first round contest in Iowa City, Iowa. The Tigers finished the winter with a 25-5 record. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

A major point of emphasis for the Princeton University women’s basketball team as it prepared to face West Virginia in the first round of the NCAA tournament last Saturday was dealing with the Mountaineers’ stifling press.

“It’s certainly going to be challenging,” said Princeton head coach Carla Berube, reflecting on the Mountaineer defense in a media conference last Friday. more

EXCELLENT PROSPECTS: Princeton University men’s basketball player Xaivian Lee dribbles past a UNLV (University of Nevada, Las Vegas) player last Wednesday as Princeton hosted theRunnin’ Rebels in the first round of the National Invitation Tournament. Sophomore guard Lee scored 10 points with six assists and two rebounds in a losing cause as the Tigers fell 84-77 to the Runnin’ Rebels. The defeat left Princeton with a final record of 24-5. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

In the waning seconds of the Princeton University men’s basketball team’s 84-77 loss to UNLV (University of Nevada, Las Vegas) last Wednesday in the first round of the National Invitation Tournament, senior stars Matt Allocco and Zach Martini left the court at Jadwin Gym for the final time to an extended standing ovation.

But while the exit of the two senior stalwarts will leave a huge void as they were part of three Ivy League regular season championship teams and the historic run to the NCAA Sweet 16 last March, the cupboard is hardly bare for the Tigers. more

TUCKING IN: Princeton University men’s lacrosse player Tucker Wade races upfield in recent action. Last Sunday, freshman midfielder Wade scored a career-high four goals but it wasn’t enough as No. 13 Princeton got edged 15-14 by No. 15 Cornell on a last second goal in the Ivy League opener for both teams. The Tigers, now 4-3 overall and 0-1 Ivy, play at Harvard (6-1 overall, 0-1 Ivy) on March 23. (Photo by Steven Wojtowicz)

By Bill Alden

Tucker Wade broke into the starting lineup for the Princeton University men’s lacrosse team in the sixth game this season and is making the most of the opportunity.

After tallying two assists in five games off the bench to start his career, freshman midfielder Wade scored two goals in a 14-8 win over Rutgers on March 10 in his first college start.

“It is always exciting to play more and be a part of this program,” said Wade, a 6’0, 195-pound native of Bethesda, Md. “I wouldn’t want to do it with any other team.” more

TITLE DRIVE: Princeton University women’s basketball player Kaitlyn Chen, left, drives past a foe in recent action. Last Saturday, senior guard Chen enjoyed a special finale at Jadwin Gym, tallying 19 points with a career-high 11 assists and seven rebounds to help Princeton defeat Penn 72-55 and clinch a tie for the Ivy League regular season title with Columbia. The Tigers, now 23-4 overall and 13-1 Ivy, will compete in the Ivy Madness postseason tournament this weekend at Columbia’s Levien Gym in New York City. Princeton is seeded first and will face fourth-seeded Penn in a semifinal contest on March 15. The victor will play the winner of the Columbia-Harvard semi on Saturday in the title game for the league’s automatic bid to the upcoming NCAA tournament. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Kaitlyn Chen’s final game at Jadwin Gym for the Princeton University women’s basketball team started with smiles and hugs as she was honored in the program’s annual Senior Day ceremony last Saturday afternoon.

Senior point guard Chen was joined by her family who traveled from Southern California, along with classmates Chet Nweke and Ellie Mitchell and their families.

“It was really special to be with them, this school is just amazing and it is surrounded by such great people,” said Chen, a 5’9 native of San Marino, Calif. “I am just lucky to be here and be able to celebrate this with them.” more

CAUSING HAVOC: Princeton University men’s lacrosse player Michael Bath controls the ball against Tigers last Sunday. Junior defender Bath helped lead a stifling defensive effort as the Tigers topped Rutgers 14-8. Bath set a program single-game record of six caused turnovers in the win and also scooped up four ground balls and was later named the Ivy League Defensive Player of the Week. Princeton, now 4-2 and ranked 13th nationally, hosts No. 15 Cornell (3-2) on March 17 in the Ivy League opener for both teams. (Photo by Steven Wojtowicz)

By Bill Alden

Heading into its clash at Rutgers last Sunday afternoon, the Princeton University men’s lacrosse team steeled itself by playing three straight road games against Top 20 teams.

The Tigers fell 13-7 at then-No. 4 Maryland on February 24 before heading down Tobacco Road to start March, defeating then-No. 19 North Carolina 15-9 in Chapel Hill on March 1 before falling 17-8 at then-No. 1 Duke in Durham two days later.

“We learned a lot from that weekend, not only about our skill set but our team as a whole,” said Princeton head coach Matt Madalon in assessing the jaunt to North Carolina. “Being able to take a trip like that was really just a nice opportunity.” more

RUING THE DAY: Princeton University men’s hockey player Tyler Rubin, left, goes after the puck in a game last season. Last Friday, sophomore defenseman Rubin and the Tigers fell 1-0 at Harvard in a single-elimination ECAC Hockey playoff opening round contest. The defeat left the Tigers with a final overall record of 10-16-4. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

In late December, the Princeton University men’s hockey team defeated visiting Harvard 5-2, making the most out of its opportunities as it outshot the Crimson 31-30.

Last Friday when the rivals met in a ECAC Hockey single-elimination first round playoff contest in Cambridge, Mass., Princeton built a 38-16 edge in shots and won 31 of 53 face-offs. more

ALL IN: Princeton University men’s basketball player Matt Allocco looks to pass the ball last Friday night against Columbia. Bouncing back from a knock that sidelined him in the second half of Princeton’s 84-70 win over the Lions, Allocco scored 19 points as the Tigers edged Cornell 79-77 a night later in Ivy League first-place showdown. Princeton, now 23-3 overall and 11-2 Ivy, plays at Penn on March 9 in its regular season finale. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

As the Princeton University men’s basketball team hosted Columbia last Friday night, Matt Allocco got knocked out of the game late in the first half.

Princeton senior guard and co-captain Allocco crashed to the floor when taking a charge and didn’t return for the second half as he was treated by the program’s medical staff while the Tigers pulled away to an 84-70 win.

While Allocco’s status for Saturday’s regular season home finale and Ivy League first-place showdown against Cornell was unclear, he had no doubt that he would take the court for his Senior Night. more

LEAVING IT ON THE COURT: Princeton University women’s basketball player Ellie Mitchell hits the floor to get a loose ball last Friday against Harvard. Senior star forward Mitchell came up big last weekend for the Tigers, scoring six points with nine rebounds as Princeton defeated Harvard 60-49 on Friday and then had six points along with six rebounds, one assist, and two steals in a 68-42 win over Dartmouth a day later. The Tigers, now 22-4 overall and 12-1 Ivy League, host Penn on March 9 in their regular season finale. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

With the Princeton University women’s basketball team coming off a tough 67-65 loss at Columbia to end February, Ellie Mitchell sense that the Tigers were primed to get back on the winning track as they hosted Harvard and Dartmouth last weekend to start March.

“We know there was a lot we could improve on, hopefully there is a lot left for us in March,” said Princeton senior forward Mitchell. “We were excited to get back on the court and try to make a statement game with Harvard and then Dartmouth, one at a time.” more

ON THE STICK: Princeton University men’s hockey player David Jacobs sends the puck up the ice in a game last season. Last Friday, sophomore forward Jacobs tallied two goals and an assist as Princeton rallied to tie visiting St. Lawrence 4-4 through regulation and overtime and then came up short in a penalty shootout. The Tigers, who fell 6-2 to Clarkson on Saturday to move to 10-15-4 overall and 8-11-3 ECAC Hockey, are the ninth-seed in the upcoming ECACH playoffs and will play at eighth-seeded Harvard on Friday in a single-elimination opening round contest with the victor advancing to the best-of-three quarterfinal series from March 15-17.(Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

For Princeton University men’s hockey player David Jacobs, taking a nasty hit against Yale in late February that split his chin open and required 24 stitches hasn’t slowed him down.

“It is just in a tough spot,” said Princeton sophomore forward Jacobs. “We wear cages in this league, so it is not so big of a deal. It sucked that it happened. It is what it is — it’s hockey.” more

DEVELOPING SITUATION: Princeton University men’s lacrosse player Chad Palumbo heads to goal in recent action. Sophomore Palumbo has emerged as a bright spot for the Tigers, providing scoring punch from the midfield. He totaled five goals and one assist as the Tigers started the season by defeatingMonmouth 15-5 on February 18 and then topped Manhattan 15-6 two days later. Last Saturday, Palumbo chipped in two assists as the Tigers fell 13-7 at No. 4 Maryland. No. 15 Princeton plays at No. 18 North Carolina on March 1 and at No. 1 Duke on March 3. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Chad Palumbo has a special motivation to make the most out of every moment he is on the field for the Princeton University men’s lacrosse team.

Heading into his senior year in high school in 2021, Palumbo was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare type of cancer that starts as a growth of cells in soft tissue, and he underwent six months of chemotherapy in order to beat it. more

CHIN UP: Princeton University men’s basketball player Caden Pierce leaps past a Brown defender in action last Friday night. Sophomore forward Pierce tallied 21 points with 12 rebounds to help Princeton defeat the Bears 72-63. A night later against visiting Yale, Pierce split his chin open chasing a loose ball in the first minute of the game and returned to the game to chip in 11 points and five rebounds to help the Tiger top the Bulldogs 73-62. Princeton, now 19-3 overall and 7-2 Ivy League, plays at Harvard on February 23 and at Dartmouth in February 24. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Just seconds into the showdown between the Princeton University men’s basketball team and visiting Yale last Saturday night, Caden Pierce served notice of the intensity the Tigers were bringing into the clash.

Sprinting after a loose ball, Princeton sophomore forward Pierce launched himself face-first into the court in an attempt to get possession.

Pierce left the game holding his face in a towel as he got treatment behind a partition near the Princeton bench and returned later in the first half. more

BACK ON ICE: Princeton University men’s hockey player Ian Murphy controls the puck in a game last season. On Friday, senior captain and star forward Murphy scored a goal as Princeton fell 4-3 to RPI. The Tigers, who posted a shootout win over Union last Saturday after the teams tied at 2-2 through regulation and overtime to improve to 8-14-3 overall and 6-10-2 ECAC Hockey, play at Yale on February 23 and at Brown on February 24. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Ian Murphy has been banged up this winter for the Princeton University men’s hockey team, getting sidelined for five games due to injury.

But with Princeton heading into the stretch drive of the season, senior captain and star forward Murphy has battled through the pain to get back on the ice.

“I am closest to 100 percent that I have been in a long time, which is nice,” said Murphy. “I feel way better than I have in a long time. Being in game shape is a lot different, there is only so much you can do on the bike. Skating is way different than anything else. I have been dying out there a little bit. I am just so happy to be back.” more

HOT START: Princeton University men’s lacrosse player Colin Burns heads to goal last Sunday as the Tigers hosted Monmouth in their season opener. Freshman attacker Burns made an immediate impact for Princeton, tallying four goals and three assists as the No. 11 Tigers prevailed 15-5 over the Hawks. The output by Burns tied the program record for points in the first game of a freshman season, matching Michael Sowers ’20 who also had seven on two goals and five assists in his first game in 2017. Princeton was slated to host Manhattan on February 20 before playing at No. 4 Maryland (3-0) on February 24. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Matt Madalon sensed that his group of first-year players could make an immediate impact for the Princeton University men’s lacrosse team.

“The freshman class is really talented, it is a really nice complete class,” said Princeton head coach Madalon of his crew of 12 newcomers, which was ranked No. 1 in Division I by Inside Lacrosse.

With Princeton’s season opener originally scheduled to be played at Monmouth last Saturday delayed to Sunday due to the snow that fell overnight and moved to Class of 1952 Stadium, the highly-touted Tiger freshmen made quite a debut before the home fans. more

FINAL PUSH: Princeton University women’s hockey player Kate Monihan heads up the ice in a game last season. Senior defender and team captain Monihan has helped spark a stingy Tigers defense the winter. Princeton, which fell 3-1 to St. Lawrence last Saturday to move to 12-10-5 overall and 5-10-5 ECAC Hockey, plays at Union on February 16 and at RPI on February 17. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

As Kate Monihan stood on the ice at Hobey Baker Rink last Friday before the Princeton University women’s hockey team hosted Clarkson to start her final regular season home weekend, she took a moment to reflect on her journey with the program.

“I was thinking about how grateful I am to play here, I always look at the Patty [Kazmaier] and Hobey banners and appreciate the moment,” said senior defender Monihan. “It felt extra special today, knowing this is one of my last times being able to do that.” more

FINISHING TOUCH: Princeton University men’s lacrosse player Coulter Mackesy heads to goal in a game last year. Junior attacker Mackesy, who set a program record with 55 goals last year, figures to be the go-to finisher again for the Tigers this spring. No. 11 Princeton starts its 2024 campaign by playing at Monmouth on February 17 and then hosting Manhattan on February 20. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

With nine of its senior stars from last season having entered the transfer portal to finish their college careers as graduate students at other schools, the Princeton University men’s lacrosse program is currently stocking such powers as Duke, Syracuse, Johns Hopkins, Georgetown, and Michigan.

But while the exodus of such talent leaves a void for Princeton as it heads into the 2024 campaign, the cupboard is hardly bare for the Tigers as they welcome back a mix of battle-tested veterans and a stellar incoming freshman class that has been ranked No. 1 by Inside Lacrosse. more

GRACE UNDER PRESSURE: Princeton University women’s lacrosse player Grace Tauckus looks to elude some foes in a game last spring. Senior attacker Tauckus, who scored 29 goals in 2023, figures to be a key offensive weapon for the Tigers this season. Princeton plays at No. 16 Virginia (2-0) on February 17 to open its 2024 campaign. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Justin Feil

After transition season in 2023, Jenn Cook is excited to see the improvements in this year’s Princeton University women’s lacrosse team.

The Tigers open their season this Saturday at No. 16 Virginia, who improved to 2-0 after a 10-9 win over Stanford on February 11. With Princeton coming off a 7-9 season last spring, the first at the helm for head coach Cook, who took over for the retired Chris Sailer, the program has been building through the fall and preseason practices to turn things around this spring. more

STEPPING UP: Princeton University women’s basketball player Chet Nweke puts up a shot in a game last season. On Saturday, senior Nweke scored a career-high 18 points to help No. 25 Princeton defeat Brown 76-63. The Tigers, now 17-3 overall and 7-0 Ivy League, play at Penn on February 10. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

While Chet Nweke was excited to finally break into the starting lineup for the Princeton University women’s basketball team in late January after making 76 appearances off the bench, she now feels pressure to be on her toes from the opening tip-off.

“It has been a little bit of an adjustment for me,” said senior Nweke. “Coming off the bench for so long, I was able to let the other people figure out how to start the game defensively and then I will figure it out and see what they are doing. Now it is more important for me to be locked in from the start, having to know the scout right away and how we are defending certain actions.”

Last Saturday as Princeton hosted Brown before a crowd of 2,710 at Jadwin Gym, Nweke was locked in at both ends of the court, tallying nine points on 4-for-4 shooting to help the Tigers build a 29-12 lead early in the second quarter. Never looking back, No. 25 Princeton went on to a 76-63 win over the Bears, improving to 17-3 overall and 7-0 Ivy League. more