LAST FLING: Princeton University quarterback Blake Stenstrom fires a pass last Saturday as Princeton hosted Yale. Playing in his final home game as a Tiger, senior Stenstrom connected on 20-of-36 passes for 240 yards and one touchdown in a losing cause as Princeton fell 36-28 to the Bulldogs in double overtime to get knocked out of the Ivy League title race. The Tigers, now 4-5 overall and 3-3 Ivy, play at Penn (6-3, 3-3 Ivy) on November 18 in their season finale. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Blake Stenstrom experienced an emotional roller-coaster as the Princeton University football team hosted Yale last Saturday in his last home game as a Tiger.

The day started with the annual Senior Day ceremony as Stenstrom and his classmate were introduced one by one before the game, escorted by their families onto the field.

“It is really special to play at Princeton, it has been a fantastic experience,” said quarterback Stenstrom, who transferred to Princeton from Colorado. “I think the culture of the team is what stands out, and just the guys who are on it. I am super honored to have been part of Princeton football for three year. I am going to miss the guys and the relationships I have built with them. You can’t put into words just how amazing my experience has been. It has been a blessing and I will miss it for sure.” more

STRONG START: Princeton University men’s basketball player Caden Pierce dribbles upcourt in a recent practice session. Last Friday, sophomore forward Pierce scored a career-high 26 points and had 15 rebounds to help Princeton defeat Hofstra 74-67. He was later named the Ivy League Player of the Week. The Tigers, now 2-0, play at Duquesne on November 15 and at Monmouth on November 18. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

While the Princeton University men’s basketball program lost some key players to graduation from the squad that made a run to the NCAA Sweet 16 last March, the 2023-24 team appears to retained one of the chief qualities that led to that success.

Opening the season on November 6 by topping Rutgers 68-61 in the Jersey Jam at the CURE Insurance Arena in Trenton, the Tigers displayed the resilience that made them so hard to beat last season down the stretch last winter. more

TOUGH GOING: Princeton University running back John Volker gets corralled in a game earlier this season. Last Friday night, junior Volker rushed for two touchdowns in a losing cause as Princeton fell 23-21 at Dartmouth. The Tigers, now 4-4 overall and 3-2 Ivy League, host Yale (5-3 overall, 3-2 Ivy) on November 11. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Playing at Dartmouth last Friday night, the Princeton University football team outgained the Big Green 356 yards to 197 and outscored then 21-13 over the last three quarters.

But committing some key miscues in the first quarter and falling behind Dartmouth 10-0, the Tigers fought an uphill battle all night. more

LOCKED IN: Princeton University men’s basketball player Matt Allocco heads to the hoop in a recent practice. Senior star guard and co-captain Allocco figures to play a key role this winter for a Princeton program coming off a historic run to the NCAA Sweet 16 last winter. The Tigers open their 2023-24 campaign by renewing their rivalry with Rutgers as they face the Scarlet Knights on November 6 at the CURE Insurance Arena in Trenton. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Carving out a niche as the lovable underdog who has historically put scares into powerhouses in the NCAA tournament, the Princeton University men’s basketball team flipped the script last March.

Knocking off second-seeded Arizona and seventh-seeded Missouri, the 15th-seeded Tigers advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 for the first time since the tournament was expanded to 64 teams in 1985.

Looking ahead to the 2023-24 season, Princeton head coach Mitch Henderson knows that the Tigers won’t be going under the radar in the wake of last year’s success.  more

HANDS ON: Princeton University women’s basketball player Ellie Mitchell, right, guards a Penn player last season. Senior star Mitchell, the Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year in 2022 and 2023, is looking to diversify her offensive game as she heads into her final campaign for the Tigers. Princeton tips off its 2023-24 campaign by hosting Duquesne on November 6. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

In the last two years, the Princeton University women’s basketball team has come excruciatingly close to making the NCAA Sweet 16.

Last season, Princeton fell 63-56 at Utah in the second round of the NCAA tourney and it got edged 56-55 at Indiana at the same stage of the 2022 March Madness.

As the Tigers head into the 2023-24 campaign, Princeton senior forward Ellie Mitchell acknowledged that getting over that hump is a goal, even if it is on the back burner as the Tigers prepare to tip off their 2023-24 campaign by hosting Duquesne on November 6.

“Day to day, we focus on the little things, the little pieces that get us in that position,” said Mitchell, the Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year in 2022 and 2023, who averaged 5.8 points and 11.3 rebounds a game last winter as the Tigers went 24-6 overall and 12-2 Ivy League. “We know that once we earn it, we are excited. We are confident, we can break into that Sweet 16 this year. It is our year.” more

COOL HAND LUKE: Princeton University star receiver Luke Colella races upfield in recent action. Last Saturday, junior Colella made three receptions for 44 yards with a 33-yard touchdown catch to help Princeton defeat Cornell 14-3. The Tigers are now 4-3 overall and 3-1 Ivy League and tied with Harvard atop the league standings. They will look to stay in first place when they play at Dartmouth (3-4 overall, 2-2 Ivy) on November 3. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Coming into its matchup last Saturday at Cornell, the Princeton University football team sensed that it could produce some big plays against a stingy Big Red defense.

“They really have a high volume of different things that they do, it puts an onus on you,” said Princeton head coach Bob Surace. “You just have to give them a lot of stuff as well. We went into the game thinking if we do that, we may have a few opportunities.”

Sure enough, Princeton seized opportunity as quarterback Blake Stenstrom hit wide receiver Tamatoa Falatea with a 77-yard touchdown pass late in the first quarter as the Tigers went ahead 7-0. After the Big Red narrowed the gap to 7-3 with a second quarter field goal, Stenstrom rifled a 33-yard scoring strike to Luke Colella in the waning seconds of the half to put Princeton ahead 14-3 at intermission. more

MURPHY’S LAW: Princeton University men’s hockey player Ian Murphy controls the puck in a game last season. Senior forward Murphy figures to trigger the Tiger offense this season after leading Princeton in scoring last year with 30 points on 15 goals and 15 assists. The Tigers start their 2023-24 season by playing at Harvard on November 3. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Bouncing back from a rough start last winter, the Princeton University men’s hockey team caught fire in the middle of the season.

Putting together a 9-6 stretch after losing six of its first eight games, Princeton posted a number of notable wins in that span, including victories over Colorado College, RIT, No. 12 Providence, Clarkson, and Dartmouth. An injury to star goalie Ethan Pearson hampered the Tigers down the stretch, but they were still able to defeat Union in the first round of the ECAC Hockey playoffs on the way to a 13-19 final record.

As Princeton head coach Ron Fogarty looks ahead to the 2023-24 campaign, he believes his returning players can build on that solid stretch heading into this winter. more

DEFENSIVE STAND: Princeton University football players, from left, linebacker Ozzie Nicholas, defensive back Jackson Fischer, and linebacker Liam Johnson celebrate after a stop in recent action. Last Saturday, the Tiger defense came up big as Princeton edged previously undefeated Harvard 21-14. The Tigers, now 3-3 overall and 2-1 Ivy League, moved into a five-way tie for first place in the league standings. Princeton will play at Cornell (3-3 overall, 2-1 Ivy) on October 28. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Coming off a disappointing 28-27 overtime loss at Brown that dropped it to 2-3 and hosting an undefeated, high-powered Harvard squad, the Princeton University football team underwent some soul-searching last week.

“We got together after that last loss, a game we should not have lost, a game where we made some critical errors and we showed up this whole week,” said Princeton senior star linebacker and co-captain Ozzie Nicholas. “We worked really hard. We worked hard on the culture. We worked hard on the scheme. Guys were locked in this week.”

In looking to stymie a Crimson squad that came into Saturday averaging 41.2 points a game, the Tigers stuck with a basic scheme.

“Our game plan was to do our base defense, our game plan was to fight and just play every snap like we have the whole season,” said Nicholas. “We play great defense and we just decided to do it today. That was our base defense and that is just what we do.” more

SAVING GRACE: Princeton University women’s hockey goalie Uma Corniea makes a save in recent action. Last Saturday, freshman Corniea made 17 saves to help Princeton defeat Brown 2-0 and improve to 3-1 overall and 1-1 ECAC Hockey. It marked Corniea’s second shutout in three appearances this season. The Tigers play at St. Lawrence on October 27 and at Clarkson on October 28. (Photo by Shelley Szwast, provided courtesy of Princeton Athletics)

By Bill Alden

As freshman Uma Corniea has emerged as the starting goalie this season for the Princeton University women’s hockey team, she has focused on getting up to speed at the college level.

Last Friday, as Princeton hosted No. 5 Yale in its ECAC Hockey opener at Hobey Baker Rink, Corniea got a trial by fire.

“The pace is so fast, I am just really honored to be able to play,” said Corniea. “We have two other incredible goalies (Jennifer Olnowich, Taylor Hyland). It is just really a blessing and super fun. Everyone was super ready to go; everything is a lot quicker than I’m used to.”

Yale got off to a quick start, jumping out to a 2-0 lead with 13:22 left in the second period. more

MAD GOOD: Princeton University women’s soccer player Madison Curry, right, goes after the ball in a game earlier this season. Last Saturday, senior defender Curry helped Princeton earn a 1-1 tie at Harvard last Saturday. The Tigers, now 8-2-3 overall and 3-1-1 Ivy League, play at Dartmouth on October 21. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Justin Feil

Madison Curry would love to extend her college soccer career into December when the NCAA Women’s College Cup culminates in Cary, N.C.

Curry’s return from a gap year for her senior season at Princeton University this fall is one reason the Tigers are aiming that high.

“You see how much it means to her,” said Princeton head coach Sean Driscoll. “It was a major void not having her last year. She just brings a whole different drive.” more

FAST CARR: Princeton University running back Jiggie Carr, right, looks for daylight in a 2022 game. Last Saturday at Brown, junior Carr rushed for 88 yards in 13 carries, including a 53-yard TD run, but it wasn’t enough as Princeton fell 28-27 in overtime to the Bears. The Tigers, now 2-3 overall and 1-1 Ivy League, host No. 17 Harvard (5-0 overall, 2-0 Ivy) on October 21. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Parity has been the story of the Ivy League football so far this season. Of the eight Ivy games played in 2023, seven have been decided by one score.

Two weeks ago, Princeton was on the right side of that trend, edging Columbia 10-7. Last Saturday, though, the Tigers came up short in latest league nail-biter, falling 28-27 in overtime at Brown, moving to 2-3 overall and 1-1 Ivy.

Princeton head coach Bob Surace knows that his squad has to be more precise to thrive in a league where things are on a razor’s edge. more

BREAKING OUT: Princeton University football player AJ Barber races upfield last Saturday as Princeton hosted Lafayette. Junior receiver Barber made seven receptions for a career-high 156 yards against the Leopards but it wasn’t enough as the Tigers fell 12-9. Princeton, now 2-2 overall and 1-0 Ivy League, starts its Ivy stretch drive by playing at Brown (2-2 overall, 0-1 Ivy) on October 14. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

AJ Barber got an inspirational message from a gridiron legend before he took the field for the Princeton University football against visiting Lafayette last Saturday.

Barber, the son of former NFL All-Pro and New York Giants star running back Tiki Barber, heard from his father as usual.

“Every single game he texts me saying good luck, I love you and I really appreciate that,” said junior receiver Barber. “I know he believes in me.”

Barber justified that belief against Lafayette, producing a career game, making seven receptions for a personal-best 156 yards in a losing cause as the Tigers fell 12-9 to the Leopards before a crowd of 4,059 at Princeton Stadium. more

MURPHY’S LAW: Princeton University field hockey player Bridget Murphy battles an opponent for the ball in a game earlier this season. Last Wednesday, senior Murphy tallied a goal to force overtime as Princeton hosted Penn but the Tigers ultimately fell 3-2 to the Quakers in the second extra period. Princeton rebounded with a 2-0 win over Brown two days later and then lost 2-0 to No. 12 Syracuse last Sunday. The Tigers, now 5-7 overall and 3-1 Ivy League, host Harvard (9-3 overall, 4-0 Ivy) on October 14 in a critical Ivy contest. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Bridget Murphy’s debut for the Princeton University field hockey team in 2021 lasted only six seconds.

Murphy, then a sophomore, took a blast on the foot on the first play against North Carolina in the season opener, suffering a bruised foot, dislocated fibula, and torn muscle. Showing tenacity, Murphy made it back to the field weeks later.

Rising through the ranks, Murphy was a key reserve for the Tigers last year and has emerged as a star in her senior campaign.

Murphy has enjoyed taking a leading role this fall. more

DRIVE TIME: Princeton University quarterback Blake Stenstrom fires a pass in a game last year. Last Friday night, senior Stenstrom engineered a 20-play, 81-yard fourth quarter drive against visiting Columbia that related in the game-winning touchdown as Princeton prevailed 10-7. The Tigers, now 2-1 overall and 1-0 Ivy League, host Lafayette (4-1) on October 7. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Princeton University quarterback Blake Stenstrom could have hung his head when he threw a screen pass that was picked off and returned for a touchdown by a Columbia defender last Friday night as Princeton found itself trailing 7-3 in the third quarter.

“That was a tough one because it was kind of a weird play in football, it doesn’t happen very often,” said senior star Stenstrom. “It was so sudden, they were up. All of the offensive coaches always talk about next play mentality so that was the thought right away — next play, just move on.” more

RUNNING INTO TROUBLE: Princeton University running back John Volker races upfield in a 2021 game. Last Saturday against visiting Bryant, junior star Volker rushed for a career-high 149 yards, his first 100-yard game for the Tigers, and one touchdown, but it wasn’t enough as Princeton squandered a late lead in falling 16-13 to the Bulldogs in overtime. The Tigers, now 1-1, host Columbia (1-1) in their Ivy League opener on September 29 under the lights. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

With John Volker rumbling through the rain and wind last Saturday afternoon, the Princeton University football team built a 13-3 lead early in the fourth quarter against Bryant in a soggy Princeton Stadium.

Junior running back Volker ran for a 49-yard touchdown in the second quarter and went over 100 yards rushing for the first time in his career as Princeton appeared on the verge of going 2-0.

“I saw Jalen Travis get a really good block there, I was just following him,” said Volker, reflecting on his TD jaunt late in the second quarter as the Tigers went ahead 6-0. “I made a good read off of his block and then just sprinted to the end zone.” more

TOUGHING IT OUT: Princeton University running back John Volker battles for some extra yardage in a 2022 game. Last Saturday, senior Volker rushed for a game-high 91 yards and a touchdown as Princeton defeated the University of San Diego 23-12 in its season opener. The Tigers are hosting Bryant (1-2) on September 23 in their home opener. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

By some metrics, it would appear that the Princeton University football team endured a long afternoon when it opened its 2023 season by playing at the University of San Diego last Saturday afternoon.

“If I check with the analytics people, we lost the turnover battle 2-0, we lost the penalty battle, I think we had 40 more yards in penalties, and we didn’t finish drives,” said Princeton head coach Bob Surace. “All of those are things the analytics people say you have got to focus on. They would have said we lost the game by 20 points.”

But playing with intensity and executing when it counted, Princeton was able to grind out a 23-12 win over the Toreros before  a crowd of 1,191 at Torero Stadium.

“I was just saying to Mike Willis (Tiger offensive coordinator), ‘If you watch the film, most of the plays were really good,’” said Surace. “That is very encouraging. You watch it play to play and there are so many good things that you would have thought you have won by 20 points.”

Heading to California last week, the Tigers were chomping at the bit to get started after going through an arduous fall camp. more

CALIFORNIA DREAMING: Princeton University quarterback Blake Stenstrom fires a pass in action last fall. Senior star Stenstrom, a second-team All-Ivy League selection in 2022 after passing for 2,742 yards and 16 touchdowns, will be looking to get his final campaign off to a good start when Princeton plays at the University of San Diego on September 16 in its season opener. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

After roaring out to an 8-0 start last fall, the Princeton University football team faltered down the stretch, losing nail biters to Yale and Penn in its final two games to see its Ivy League title hopes dashed.

Looking ahead to the 2023 campaign which starts when the Tigers play at the University of San Diego on September 16, Princeton head coach Bob Surace doesn’t see any hangover from that staggering finish. more

STANDING TALL: Princeton University football star offensive lineman Jalen Travis catches his breath between plays in a game last year. The 6’9, 315-pound Travis has emerged as a force at tackle for Princeton, earning 2022 second-team All-Ivy League honors as a junior and getting named to the 2024 Senior Bowl Watchlist and East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 list heading into this fall. Travis and the Tigers kick off the 2023 campaign by playing at the University of San Diego on September 16. (Photo by Sideline Photos, provided courtesy of Princeton Athletics)

By Bill Alden

As Jalen Travis headed into high school in 2016, it looked like his athletic future would center on basketball.

One of his older brothers, Reid, played hoops at Stanford and Kentucky and is currently playing pro ball overseas while another older brother, Jonah, starred for the Harvard men’s basketball team.

But as Travis went through DeLaSalle High in Minneapolis, Minn., he grew into a standout offensive lineman in football, earning first-team All-State and Minnesota All-Star honors as a senior. That success had Travis turning his focus to someday playing in the NFL.

Attracting attention from major college football programs, including getting an offer from local Big 10 power University of Minnesota, Travis decided that heading to Princeton and the Ivy League was his best option on and off the field.

 more

TORRID START: Princeton University women’s soccer player Pietra Tordin prepares to unload the ball last Sunday against La Salle. Sophomore forward Tordin tallied a goal and two assists in the contest to help the Tigers win 5-0 and improve to 2-0. Tordin, who scored two goals in a 3-0 win over Monmouth in the season opener on Friday, was later named the Ivy League Offensive Player of the Week. In upcoming action, Princeton hosts Rutgers on August 31 and Army West Point on September 2. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Coming off a superb debut season for the Princeton University women’s soccer team which saw her win the Ivy League Rookie of the Year, Pietra Tordin is feeling a heightened comfort level on the field this year.

“I already know a lot of the girls very well so I think the chemistry is starting to click in,” said forward Tordin, a 5’6 native of Doral, Fla. “It is just getting to know the personnel of the team and knowing how to work with them and work around their skill sets as much as possible.”

Last weekend, Tordin clicked as Princeton opened its 2023 campaign by topping Monmouth 3-0 last Friday and then defeated La Salle 5-0 on Sunday. Tordin scored two goals in the opener and added a goal and two assists in the win over the Explorers. more