PIERCE COMPETITOR: Princeton University men’s basketball player Caden Pierce, right, looks to get around Dartmouth’s Dusan Nescovic last Saturday afternoon at Jadwin Gym. Freshman forward Pierce posted a double-double with 17 points and 13 rebounds in the contest to help Princeton rally for a 93-90 overtime win against the Big Green. The Tigers, now 14-5 overall and 5-1 Ivy League, moved into first place in the league standings with the victory and will look to stay ahead of the pack as they play at Yale on January 28. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Hosting Dartmouth last Saturday afternoon, the Princeton University men’s basketball team found itself in a desperate situation, trailing the Big Green 76-72 with 1:10 left in regulation.

But with Jadwin Gym in an uproar, Princeton freshman forward Caden Pierce’s thoughts turned to a message hammered home by Tiger head coach Mitch Henderson.

“Coach always says, no matter what the score is, we are always winning the game so I felt like that is what we needed to do,” said Pierce.

Taking those words to heart, Pierce made a steal, flung the ball to Tosan Evbuomwan who set up a three-pointer by Matt Allocco.

“I needed to step up and make a play down the stretch to help the team win,” said Pierce.

Pierce’s clutch play set the tone as Princeton knotted the game at 76-76 to force overtime and then pulled out a 93-90 win as it improved to 14-5 overall and 5-1 Ivy League. more

ON THE RIGHT TRACK: Princeton University men’s hockey player Pito Walton heads up the ice in recent action. Last Saturday, senior star defenseman and captain Walton scored a goal in a losing cause as Princeton fell 3-2 at No. 16 Cornell. The Tigers, now 10-11 overall and 6-9 ECAC Hockey, host LIU on January 28 in their last non-conference game of the regular season. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

It was a roller coaster week for the Princeton University men’s hockey team as it faced a trio of formidable foes.

Starting the week on a high note, Princeton edged No. 12 Providence 3-2 in overtime on January 17. Three days later, the Tigers stumbled in a 5-0 loss at Colgate. Displaying resilience, Princeton showed some fire a night later at No. 16 Cornell, battling back from 1-0 and 2-1 deficits before falling 3-2.

Princeton head coach Ron Fogarty, whose team is now 10-11 overall and 6-9 ECAC Hockey, is proud of the progress his team had made after struggling into early stages of the campaign.

“We started 2-6 and we are just a game below .500 now,” said Fogarty. “Our goal is to have a winning season and that is attainable. Now we have faced every team on our schedule once and we know what to expect. We just have to play at our standard.”

The Tigers have raised their standard through daily diligence. “It is just the individual development, there is a lot of repetition at practice with our drills,” said Fogarty, reflecting on his team’s improvement. “Staying with the same core of drills at practice, you see that skillset and they are bringing it to the game.” more

COMING UP ROSES: Princeton University women’s basketball player Madison St. Rose puts up a shot in recent action. Last Monday, freshman guard St. Rose scored a team-high 15 points to help Princeton defeat Penn 55-40. She was later named the Ivy League Rookie of the Week. The Tigers, now 12-5 overall and 3-2 Ivy, play at Dartmouth on January 21. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Madison St. Rose struggled to find a rhythm this winter in her freshman campaign for the Princeton University women’s basketball team, shooting just 26.5 percent from the floor (27-of-102) in the first 13 games of her career.

But while St. Rose could have gotten discouraged as she misfired, her teammates wouldn’t let her.

“They are always telling me to keep shooting because they know all of the potential I have as a player,” said St. Rose, a 5’10 native of Old Bridge who starred for St. John Vianney and was a three-time NJ.com Player of the Year.

St. Rose started to display that potential as she scored 15 points in a 70-48 win over Cornell on January 7 and then tallied 19 points as Princeton topped Hartford 84-37. Utilizing a short-term memory has helped St. Rose get into groove.

“I always try to forget about the first shot that I miss and just keep playing,” said St. Rose. “I know I am capable of making many shots if I am just locked into the game instead of my missed shot.”

Last Monday, St. Rose was locked in as Princeton hosted Penn at Jadwin Gym in an Ivy League showdown.

“As I saw by the fans and the crowd and the energy, it was a really, really intense feeling just being on the court,” said St. Rose, who was making the ninth start of her career. “Penn was undefeated in the Ivy League. We were the underdogs (with a 2-2 Ivy mark) and it was really fun to play with my teammates and try to take them down.” more

MEMORABLE WEEKEND: Princeton University men’s hockey player Liam Gorman heads up ice in recent action. Senior star forward and team captain Gorman starred as Princeton held its “Hobey 100 Weekend,” celebrating the centennial of the venerable rink by hosting Harvard on Friday and Dartmouth a day later. Gorman scored two goals in a losing cause as Princeton fell 4-3 in overtime to Harvard and then tallied a goal and an assist as the Tigers defeated Dartmouth 4-2 to cap the special weekend. Princeton, now 8-9 overall and 6-7 ECAC Hockey, hosts LIU on January 13 and Providence on January 17. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Playing at Hobey Baker Rink over the last four years has been a highlight of Liam Gorman’s career with the Princeton University men’s hockey team.

“I think the atmosphere and the legacy that it holds, you walk into the rink and it is unlike any other rink you have stepped into,” said senior star forward and team captain Gorman. “It is really cool. I think all of its niche pieces are awesome but playing on the sheet and seeing the energy is really exciting.”

Last weekend there was a lot of excitement around the storied venue as Princeton held its “Hobey 100 Weekend,” celebrating the centennial of the rink.

“It means a lot to the team, there are a lot of festivities going on and a lot of families coming out for a bunch of the guys which is always exciting. It is super special having all three trophies (the Stanley Cup, the Hobey Baker Award, and the Patty Kazmaier Award) in the rink this weekend. All of the guys are really looking forward to it.”

The celebration had a special meaning for the Gorman family with the senior standout’s father, Sean ’91, having been a star and captain for the Tigers while his younger brother, Brendan, is a promising freshman forward on the Tigers. more

SPECIAL K: Princeton University women’s hockey player Kayla Fillier brings the puck up the ice in a game earlier this season. Last Friday, senior forward Fillier scored a goal to help Princeton defeat Dartmouth 5-2 and start the “Hobey 100 Weekend” celebration of the rink’s centennial with a bang. The Tigers, who defeated Harvard 3-0 a day later to improve to 9-6-1 overall and 5-5 ECAC Hockey, play at Cornell on January 13 and at Colgate on January 14. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Kayla Fillier felt a special vibe around Hobey Baker Rink as the Princeton University women’s hockey team took the ice Friday afternoon to start the “Hobey 100 Weekend” celebration of the rink’s centennial.

“I don’t think it has really hit the team how big this is with the 100 years,” said Princeton senior forward Fillier. “Cara (Princeton head coach Cara Morey) said to us before the game, it is not just the building being here 100 years, it is all of the people who have been part of it. Being able to see all of the alumni come back and all of the support that we have, it is going to be really huge.”

For Fillier, getting to play at Hobey Baker Rink on a daily basis has been special. “When I first came to Princeton, the one thing that really stood out was the rink and just all of the history behind it and all of the great players and all of the good people in the program as well,” said Fillier. “Just being able to practice on this rink and looking up and seeing the stone wall and all of the people pictured in the stands, you are seeing all of those people who have made the program what it is today and is just a great experience every day.”

One of the greatest players in Princeton history is Fillier’s twin sister Sarah, a two-time All American who took a hiatus from Princeton to play for the Canadian women’s national team and helped it win two world championships and the gold medal at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.

On Friday as Princeton hosted Dartmouth, the twins started the game playing in the same line.

“It is pretty special, we haven’t really played on a line here,” said Fillier, whose sister is in her junior season. “Obviously she is a great player. It is great to be able to watch her out there, it is a great experience.” more

SALUTING HOBEY: General Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and a Princeton University alum, salutes as the national anthem was played before the Princeton University men’s hockey team took on Dartmouth last Saturday night. Milley ’80, a former Tiger hockey player, was on hand to take part in the “Hobey 100 Weekend,” celebrating the 100th year of the Hobey Baker Rink. Standing to Milley’s left is Princeton Director of Athletics John Mack. (Photo by Shelley Szwast, provided courtesy of Princeton Athletics)

By Bill Alden

Mark Milley learned some valuable lessons from playing for the Princeton University men’s hockey team in the late 1970s.

“Personally I think sports are a very valuable thing to develop leadership skills,” said Milley, who played defenseman for the Tigers. “Team sports teach you a lot of lessons about teamwork. If you look at the Princeton hockey team, you are going to see kids who are coming from Canada, you are going to see kids from every province in Canada and then you are going to see kids from the United States. You are bringing together people of diverse backgrounds, diverse skills, diverse attributes, and you are forming a cohesive whole to a singular purpose. That is what team sports is all about.”

Utilizing that experience, Milley, a 1980 Princeton grad who also participated in the school’s ROTC program, rose through the ranks of the U.S. Army to become a four-star general and is currently serving as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Last weekend, General Milley, 64, returned to his old stomping grounds, taking part in the “Hobey 100 Weekend,” celebrating the 100th year of the Hobey Baker Rink.

“It is a unique experience coming to Princeton, it is unique in a lot of ways and hockey is a big part of it and a big part of my life,” said Milley, talking Saturday night at Hobey Baker Rink as the Princeton men’s team battled Dartmouth, wearing a throwback No. 6 Tiger jersey, the number he wore during his college career like his hero Teddy Green of the Boston Bruins. more

BACK ON TRACK: Princeton University women’s basketball player Julia Cunningham goes up for a shot in recent action. Last Saturday, senior star Cunningham scored 13 points and passed for a season-high six assists as Princeton defeated Cornell 70-48, snapping a two-game losing streak in Ivy League play. The Tigers, now 9-5 overall and 1-2 Ivy, host Hartford on January 12, Brown on January 14, and Penn on January 16. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Julia Cunningham found herself in an unusual situation when the Princeton University women’s basketball team hosted Cornell last Saturday evening.

After having starred as Princeton went on a 42-game Ivy League winning streak starting in 2019, senior guard Cunningham hit the court against the visiting Big Red looking to help the Tigers snap a two-game losing skid in league play in the wake of the squad falling to Columbia 58-55 in overtime last Friday on the heels of a 67-59 loss to Harvard a week earlier.

“Starting 0-2 in the Ivy League is not ideal for us; it was like changing our mindset and coming back really hungry with a little bit of chip on our shoulder,” said Cunningham. “I think that is kind of how we like to play. We were feeling that pit in our stomach a little bit and looking to bounce back from the Friday night game.”

Cunningham and her teammates realized that they couldn’t rest on the laurels of having won four straight Ivy League titles. more

LOCKED IN: Princeton High boys’ hockey player Ethan Garlock, left, goes after the puck in recent action. Senior forward and assistant captain Garlock tallied two goals, including the game-winner, and added an assist as PHS defeated Brick 6-5 on December 20 at Hobey Baker Rink as it held its annual Senior Night celebration. The Tigers, now 3-1, are next in action when they face Ocean Township on January 2 at the Mercer County Skating Center. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

With the Princeton High boys’ hockey team hosting Brick at Hobey Baker Rink last week for its annual Senior Night celebration, Ethan Garlock brought some extra fire to the ice.

“It was a lot of fun, when your family shows out, you have a lot more to play for, a lot more to fight for,” said PHS senior forward and assistant captain Garlock, who was joined by his parents, grandparents, older sister Genna, older brother Max, a former Tiger hockey standout, and younger brother Ryan, a current freshman forward for the Tigers, as members of the Class of 2023 and their families were honored on the ice after the second period of the December 20 contest.

“It made it a lot easier for me and the other seniors to work our hardest and eventually put the puck in the net,” continued Garlock. “It makes it feel a lot nicer especially to be on Baker Rink. It makes it feel really special, we know we only get a couple of ice slots on this rink so we really have to make it count.”

The Tigers had quite a fight with Brick, trailing 1-0, 2-3 and 3-2 before taking a 4-3 lead late in the second period. The contest was then knotted at 4-4 and 5-5 in the third before Garlock scored the winning goal with a minute left in regulation to give PHS a hard-earned 6-5 triumph. more

BLACK AND BLUE: Princeton University men’s basketball player Matt Allocco, center, gets sandwiched by a pair of defenders in recent action. Last Saturday against Delaware, junior star Allocco scored 11 points, including a pair of three-pointers down the stretch, but it wasn’t enough as a late Princeton rally fell short in a 76-69 loss to the Blue Hens. The Tigers, now 8-4, host Division III Kean University on December 23. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Coming off a tough 70-64 defeat to Iona earlier in the week, the Princeton University men’s basketball team was looking to get back on the winning track as it hosted Delaware on Saturday.

Instead, Princeton dug an early hole, trailing the Blue Hens 37-25 at halftime. Things got worse for the Tigers as they found themselves behind 58-43 with 9:46 left in regulation.

“I thought they dictated every single part of the game, we were on our heels throughout the entire game,” said Princeton head coach Mitch Henderson.

Mounting a furious rally, the Tigers had Delaware on its heels, going on a 25-11 run to narrow the gap to 69-68 with 53 seconds remaining in the game as the Jadwin Gym crowd was roaring.

“It just meant more, we get down, that is our panic time,” said Tiger junior guard and co-captain Matt Allocco, reflecting on the Princeton comeback.

Allocco hit a fall away three-pointer from the corner that got the Tigers to within one. more

LEANING IN: Princeton University men’s basketball player Xaivian Lee curls around a foe in recent action. Last Saturday, freshman guard Lee tallied a career-high 12 points with four rebounds, two steals, and an assist in 25 minutes off the bench to help Princeton rout Monmouth 91-54. The Tigers, who improved to 8-2 with the win as they posted their eight straight win, were slated to face Iona on December 13 and then host Delaware on December 16. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Xaivian Lee may weigh around 160 pounds soaking wet, but he is starting to make a big impact for the Princeton University men’s basketball team.

Last Saturday night, wiry 6’3 freshman guard Lee tallied a career-high 12 points with four rebounds, two steals, and an assist in 25 minutes off the bench to help Princeton rout Monmouth 91-54 before 1,372 at Jadwin Gym as it improved to 8-2 and posted its eighth straight victory.

“I feel like in the past couple of practices, I have really been focused on trying to take care of the ball and not turn it over,” said Lee, a native of Toronto, Canada, who had no turnovers against the Hawks. “I have been trying to still make plays and play fearless while still taking care of that. I feel that has been good, getting to the rim and finding my teammates. I feel like building my confidence, I did really good tonight with that, especially in the second half.”

Lee’s play has benefited from coaching he has been getting at the college level.

“I feel like being here and being coached everyday has forced me to get a lot better, especially defensively,” said Lee. “I have been trying to make the biggest improvements like locking into the scouts. Compared to high school, every game has a different scout, different personnel, and it is locking into that. I feel that has been my biggest improvement.” more

STANDING TALL: Princeton University women’s basketball player Ellie Mitchell, right, pressures a foe in recent action. Last Sunday, junior forward Mitchell tallied 10 points with nine rebounds and five assists to help Princeton defeat Delaware 62-47. The Tigers, now 6-3, play at Rutgers on December 15. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Last Thursday night, Ellie Mitchell helped the Princeton University women’s basketball team put a scare into perennial national power Connecticut.

Playing at UConn’s Gampel Pavilion before a crowd of 8,731, Princeton forced 27 turnovers and went on a late 21-8 run to cut the Huskies’ lead to 66-64 before succumbing 69-64.

“That was super cool; we gave them a great game, obviously it didn’t end up the way we wanted but we had it down the wire,” said junior forward Mitchell, who had three points, nine rebounds, four steals, and two assists in the defeat. “I think they were nervous, we came up with some great plays. We played a great game. We didn’t shoot super well but we fought the entire time. It was an incredible atmosphere. Obviously we wanted to win, but we are proud of the effort. We almost had them.”

Back at home in Jadwin Gym three days later to host Delaware, Princeton had it going as it topped the Blue Hens 62-47, improving to 6-3.

“We wanted to redeem ourselves, losing always stinks, no matter who you are playing,” said Mitchell, a 6’1 native of Chevy Chase, Md.  more

ON A ROLL: Princeton University men’s hockey player Pito Walton goes after the puck in recent action. Last Saturday, senior defenseman and team captain Walton picked up three assists to help Princeton edge RPI 6-5. Walton was later named as the ECAC Hockey Defender of the Week for his performance over the weekend which also included a strong effort on Friday as the Tigers blanked Union 2-0. Princeton, now 6-7 overall and 5-6 ECACH, is on break until it plays a two-game set at Colorado College on December 30 and 31. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

In losing six of its eight first games this season, the Princeton University men’s hockey team played its foes tight but had trouble getting over the hump in close games.

While the defeats stung, Princeton head coach Ron Fogarty wasn’t discouraged by the early stumbles.

“I was happy with where our team was moving towards in our style of play,” said Fogarty. “The loss against Colgate in overtime (3-2 on November 5) was tough but we were playing well. We just didn’t get the results.”

But starting with a 5-1 win over No. 20 RIT on November 26, Princeton has been getting the results since Thanksgiving. Putting together its best weekend of the season, Princeton defeated Union 2-0 last Friday and then edged RPI 6-5 a night later.

“It is very difficult to sweep in our conference, no matter who you are,” said Fogarty. more

FRESH APPROACH: Princeton University men’s basketball player Jack Scott puts up a layup in recent action. Last Wednesday, freshman guard and former Hun School standout Scott tallied a team-high 13 points with nine rebounds and four assists in 23 minutes off the bench as Princeton routed Division III Cairn 92-58. The Tigers, who topped Drexel 83-63 last Saturday to improve to 6-2, host Monmouth on December 10 before facing Iona on December 13 at Kean University. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Mitch Henderson sensed that his crew of freshmen could make a big impact this winter as they started their careers for the Princeton University men’s basketball team.

“It is a very competitive young group, very competitive,” said Princeton head coach Henderson. “That is really good for everybody because it just raises the level.”

Last Wednesday, two of those prized newcomers, Jack Scott and Caden Pierce, starred as Princeton routed Division III Cairn 92-58. Guard Scott tallied a career-high and team-high 13 points with nine rebounds and four assists in 23 minutes off the bench while starting forward Pierce contributed a career-high nine points, four rebounds, and a blocked shot.

Scott, for his part, was ready to compete when he got the call against Cairn.

“I got a chance to go in there so whenever my name is called, I just try to go as hard as I can and make the most out of the opportunity,” said Scott, a 6’6, 197-pound resident of Denver, Colo. “That is what I tried to do, I thought we played really well.” more

JACOBS LADDER: Princeton University men’s hockey player David Jacobs goes after the puck in a game earlier this season. Last Saturday, freshman forward Jacobs tallied a goal and an assist in a losing cause as a late Princeton rally fell short in a 5-4 loss to St. Lawrence. The Tigers, now 4-7 overall and 3-6 ECAC Hockey, host Union on December 9 and RPI on December 10. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

It took a while for David Jacobs to start producing this winter in his freshman season on the Princeton University men’s hockey team.

Though the first eight games of his college career, Jacobs had just one assist. But catching fire after Thanksgiving, he has tallied two goals and two assists in his last three appearances.

“I think it is just growing every day and trying to get more and more comfortable out there,” said Jacobs, a 5’10, 180-pound native of Needham, Mass. “I have great teammates so it is great playing with them. We work hard every practice and I am just trying to get better every day.”

Last Saturday, Jacobs displayed his growth, getting a goal and an assist in a losing cause as a late Princeton rally fell short in a 5-4 loss to St. Lawrence.

The Tigers jumped out to a 1-0 lead on a goal by Nick Seitz then fell behind 2-1 early in the second period. Jacobs evened up the game at 2-2, blasting a one-timer into the back of the net with 11:08 left in the second period. The Saints responded with three unanswered goals to lead 5-2 midway through the third period. After St. Lawrence got hit with a five-minute major penalty, the Tigers scored two goals to narrow the gap to 5-4 but couldn’t get any closer as they moved to 4-7 overall and 3-6 ECAC Hockey. more

WINNING THE DAY: Princeton University wrestler Quincy Monday, top, controls a foe in a match last season. Senior star Monday, who advanced to the NCAA final last March at 157 pounds, is primed for a big final campaign with the Tigers. Last Sunday, Monday, ranked No. 1 nationally at 157, posted a 5-0 win over No. 15 Chase Saldate of Michigan State in the Garden State Grapple at the Prudential Center in Newark. The Tigers, who fell 38-3 to Wisconsin and 21-15 to Michigan State in the event, to move to 0-3, host Rutgers on December 11. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

In his debut season for the Princeton University wrestling team in 2018-19, Quincy Monday qualified for the NCAA championships at 157 pounds but the trip to Pittsburgh turned out to be a downer.

With his inexperience showing, Monday lost all of his matches. Looking for redemption, Monday made the NCAAs as a sophomore and was seeded fifth but didn’t get to compete as the event was canceled as a result of the global pandemic. In 2021, Monday had no chance to make the NCAAs as the Ivy League scrapped its winter season due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns.

Those disappointments fueled Monday’s motivation as he competed last winter.

“To have that get canceled and not get that chance and get a win and do my thing at nationals set a fire under me for sure,” said Monday, who won his first Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) title on the way to qualifying for the NCAA championships

Once in Detroit for the NCAAs, a fired-up Monday got some redemption, making it to the final where he fell 9-2 to Northwestern’s Ryan Deakin.

“It was just really exciting, I was grateful to be there and be able to be at nationals and get rolling,” said Monday, who was joined in the finals by classmate Patrick Glory, who made it at 125, giving Princeton its first two NCAA finalists since 2002. “We had a lot of energy and momentum going into it, being able to have that opportunity to be able to go back and compete.” more

DOWN LOW: Princeton High boys’ hockey player Cooper Zullo skates around a goalie in action last season. Senior star forward and captain Zullo is primed for a big final campaign. PHS opens its season by facing Notre Dame on December 12 at the Mercer County Park rink. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Rik Johnson underwent a trial by fire last winter when he joined the Princeton High boys’ hockey program as an assistant coach.

“It was exciting, at first I was a little apprehensive,” said Johnson, who had played for the Monmouth University club hockey team and in men’s leagues but had never coached before. “I observed and I was able to learn a lot different ways to approach things.”

This season, Johnson will be getting the chance to apply those lessons as he is taking the helm of the PHS program, succeeding head coach Dave Hansen.

“There is a learning curve for sure, learning everything you need to know as the head coach,” said Johnson. “My personal philosophy is for the players to try not to make the same mistake twice. Three, four practices in now, we are trying to scratch those off the list. I am trying different things out, seeing what works.”

The PHS players are responding well to their new leader.

“Brian (PHS Athletic Director Brain Dzbenski) said he was looking for somebody from a head  coaching perspective that was going to be around so there was continuity for the kids,” said Johnson, who is taking over a program that went 16-5-3 last winter and advanced to the Mercer County Tournament final. “It is positive, they are great kids, they are helpful. It is great roster, we have got 15 returning players.”

Johnson is expecting a great senior year from star forward and captain Cooper Zullo (39 goals, 32 assists in 2021-22).

“Cooper is doing his thing, he is doing a great job as a leader,” said Johnson. “He is going to be our captain again this year. He is great with ushering in the new kids and leading the group. I think last year was a little bit of a shock to him when he was named captain; that caught him off guard, but he grew into it. He is so good. The one thing I added last year in working with him was hit the net. He has improved on that.” more