A new coach and a new attitude were supposed to make all the difference for the sprint football team this season. No one on the team expected the season to start the way it did — with an overtime loss, 16-13, at Cornell — and certainly no one anticipated a winless record (0-3 overall) halfway through the campaign.
"Right now we're not pleased," senior captain and tight end Mike Piazza said.
Following their disappointing loss to Army, 57-14, the Tigers have had a bye week in which to rest up and lick their many wounds. One of the major problems for the team so far has been injuries to key personnel.
As a result of the disappointing start and the rash of injuries that have sidelined the team's more experienced players, morale has become an increasing concern for Princeton.
"We've been trying to focus on how games have been winnable," Piazza said. "We've tried to keep things hopeful."
For the most part it has been the seniors who have initiated the attempts to raise spirits on the team. While the coaches have restructured practices to make them more lively, the seniors, and especially the captains, have taken the lead in rebuilding the sense of hope that the Tigers exuded earlier in the year.
'Camaradarie'
"We've begun to have more events in the hopes of recovering camaradarie," Piazza said. "Things like team meals and parties have really started to help. The seniors are stepping up, which they need to do since they're by and large the best football players on the team."
The situation has been grim so far for Princeton. The Tigers have given up almost 800 rushing yards in three games. The pass defense has not fared much better, giving up 388 yards in its three outings. Combine those facts with the nine turnovers the offense has committed — as opposed to only one created by the defense — and Princeton clearly has serious problems on both sides of the ball.
There have been some bright spots for the team this year, however, which the Tigers will try to build on in the second half of the season.
The passing attack, led by senior captain and quarterback Geoff Gasperini and senior wide receiver Ki Moon, started the year strong but has faltered of late.
On the ground, Princeton should benefit greatly from the return of senior running back Robin Clarke. Coming off a two-year hiatus and a bruised kidney, Clarke ran for 93 yards in the loss to Army. The Tigers should look to Clarke and sophomore Christian Gomez for their 'four yards and a cloud of dust' in the second half.
Jigsaw puzzle
While not much has gone Princeton's way so far this season, the team has begun to address one of the major problems that has plagued it to this point — the loss of experienced players to injury.
"We've had to shift a couple people into new positions, but the guys all seemed to have adjusted quickly," freshman cornerback Ned Bartlett said.
"We are changing things up personnel-wise," Piazza said. "There's been a certain freshness to our recent practices. We're trying to generate a groundswell of aggressiveness."
Though the team has not been as successful in the win-loss column as it would have liked, it still remains optimistic — especially among the younger players.
"Personally, I'm a little frustrated that I can't be out practicing. My [sprained ankle, suffered against Army] is taking longer to heal than I hoped," Bartlett said. "Despite some of our struggles, I've really enjoyed this season so far and just want to be back on the field soon."
The Tigers return to action this Friday when they host Navy at Weaver Stadium. The Midshipmen — who shut out Princeton, 38-0, last fall — are coming off a surprising 28-27 overtime loss to Penn last Friday in Annapolis, Maryland. The Quakers won in the extra period when the Midshipmen missed an extra point try.
In 1998 — the last time Navy came to Princeton — the Tigers shocked the then-defending national champions, 21-20 in overtime to snap their lengthy losing skid.
Read More
Men’s and women’s lacrosse seasons come to an end after NCAA losses
Hayk YengibaryanThe men’s lacrosse team had their season ended at the hands of No. 7-seeded Maryland. Meanwhile, women’s lacrosse earned an opening-round win before falling to No. 2-seeded Boston College.
The men’s lacrosse team had their season ended at the hands of No. 7-seeded Maryland. Meanwhile, women’s lacrosse earned an opening-round win before falling to No. 2-seeded Boston College.
Jesse Marsch ’96 appointed as Canada men’s soccer national team head coach
Hayk YengibaryanAfter managerial stints with RB Leipzig and Leeds United, Jesse Marsch ’96 will be on the sidelines for the Canadian national team as they prepare to compete in the 2024 Copa America this summer.
After managerial stints with RB Leipzig and Leeds United, Jesse Marsch ’96 will be on the sidelines for the Canadian national team as they prepare to compete in the 2024 Copa America this summer.
Tigers win Ivy League Softball Tournament to get automatic NCAA tournament bid
Andrew BosworthAfter four games, three of which were against the Harvard Crimson, the Princeton softball team prevailed on Saturday to win the 2024 Ivy League Softball Tournament, earning themselves a bid to the NCAA tournament.
After four games, three of which were against the Harvard Crimson, the Princeton softball team prevailed on Saturday to win the 2024 Ivy League Softball Tournament, earning themselves a bid to the NCAA tournament.
