In Friday’s game against MIT, the Tigers outscored the Engineers in each quarter. Sophomore center Jack Ruth and sophomore attacks Tim Wenzlau and Tommy Donahue each scored a pair of goals during the game. Senior goalie Mike Merlone made 10 saves in 28 minutes of play, and MIT didn’t even fire a shot on freshman goalie Tyler Amina during the fourth quarter. Given six advantage opportunities, Princeton was able to capitalize on five while MIT was 1-for-4.
In Saturday’s semi-final game against Navy, both the Tigers and the Midshipmen had a lot on the line. This season, the Tigers were 1-1 against the Midshipmen, and at last year’s Eastern Championship game, Princeton beat Navy 9-6 for the NCAA bid. Navy’s 8-5 win on Saturday, however, settled the score between the two teams and left Princeton to play for third as Navy went on to fight for but lose the NCAA Final Four bid to St. Francis.
At the start of the game, the Midshipmen got off to a fast start. Their first goal occurred 22 seconds into the first period, which ended with a score of 4-0. The Tigers, however, held Navy scoreless in the second period and then halved the Midshipmen’s lead in the third quarter to 4-2. The third quarter ended at 5-2, and the fourth began with two goals by the Midshipmen, answered by another two by the Tigers. But the Tigers could never close the gap.
In the last minute of the game, senior center Matt Hale answered a Navy goal to end the game at 8-5 and complete his hat trick. Mike Merlone made six saves and Princeton was 3-for-6 in capitalizing on advantage opportunities, while Navy was 2-for-11.
On Sunday, Princeton beat Bucknell 8-7 in an eventful game to take third place in the tournament. Princeton and Bucknell each tallied 14 ejections. Three misconducts, two yellow cards and one red card were awarded.
Tied at the end of the first quarter, Princeton took the lead heading into the half as freshman attack Kurt Buchbinder scored with 28 seconds on the clock. The lead grew to 6-3 two minutes into the third quarter, which ended at 6-4. Following two misconducts called on the Bison, the Tigers moved the score to 8-4. Bucknell, however, did not stop fighting and brought the score to 8-7 before the Tigers ran down the clock. Wenzlau completed a hat trick, while Hale and junior center Mike Helou both scored a pair of goals. Merlone registered nine saves. Neither team could capitalize on its advantage opportunities, as Bucknell went 2-for-14 and Princeton went 3-for-14.
At the end of Easterns, Hale and Donahue were both named to second-team All-tournament.
Earlier in November, at the CWPA Southern Division Championship, Merlone, Hale and Donahue were named to first-team All-Southern Division, and junior attack Chris Cottrell was named second-team. Buchbinder was named Southern Division Rookie of the Year, and Mike Merlone was named Most Valuable Player. This marks Princeton’s sixth Southern Division MVP reference and is also the fifth time that Princeton has recorded three first-team selections.
Read More
With Pierce to sit out the year, men’s basketball loses last senior standing
Harrison BlankSenior forward Caden Pierce announced today that he will be sitting out his senior season of basketball at Princeton in the interests of maintaining his final year of eligibility.
Senior forward Caden Pierce announced today that he will be sitting out his senior season of basketball at Princeton in the interests of maintaining his final year of eligibility.
Women’s ice hockey names Courtney Kessel as new head coach
Lily PampolinaFollowing the resignation of Cara Gardner Morey, Princeton appointed Courtney Kessel as head coach.
Following the resignation of Cara Gardner Morey, Princeton appointed Courtney Kessel as head coach.
Former women’s basketball forward Parker Hill ’25 signs professional contract in Switzerland
Doug SchwartzAfter a successful senior season, women's basketball forward Parker Hill signed a contact to play professional basketball in Europe, following in the steps of her past teammates.
After a successful senior season, women's basketball forward Parker Hill signed a contact to play professional basketball in Europe, following in the steps of her past teammates.