While the Princeton women’s basketball team did not get the win on Sunday, Nov. 19 — they lost to undefeated Georgia Tech 67-56 at Jadwin Gymnasium — many positive things stood out that show long term signs of success for the team. One of the biggest signs is the play of sophomore power forward Bella Alarie, who continued her hot start with her second straight double double.
The Princeton men’s and women’s hockey teams faced tough losses this past weekend in games that both ended in complete shutouts. The women matched up against Clarkson University and the men’s team faced off against the Brown Bears at home.
The 2017 Princeton women’s soccer season has had its fair share of exciting, big time games. But none compare to the Tigers’ stunning 2–1 victory over North Carolina, advancing them to the NCAA quarterfinals in the most exciting, high-stakes game of the season.
With a bid to the NCAA on the line, the Tigers put together a strong performance to sweep Yale in the Ivy League playoffs. Princeton and Yale led the Ancient Eight this season, sharing a piece of the Ivy League title. The tie meant a playoff match in New Haven would determine which side would enter the NCAA. The Tigers clinched their return to the tournament with an emphatic 3-0 victory over the bulldogs.
Eight months after winning the inaugural Ivy League championship in Philadelphia, the Princeton men’s basketball team returned to the City of Brotherly Love to face St. Joseph in its third non-conference game of the season. On Nov. 18, however, the Tigers, failed to come away with a win, falling 71–58.
Last Friday night the Princeton women’s basketball team opened its season with a 72–52 win against the George Washington Colonials at home. Four Tigers scored in double figures, including senior guard Tia Weledji, who paced the team with 18 points.
“When we show up at races everyone has coordinated outfits and everything,” said senior Zartosht Ahlers. “We don’t look good. We really look bad. But I love that. I love people being like that’s Princeton, they look horrible but they are fast. We like our reputation of being weird.”
Junior Gabi Forrest sprinted across the finish line at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional meet last Friday in third place, after an incredible kick to the finish. At the 3,500 meter mark of the race, Forrest was in 19th place and few might have guessed that she would end up in third just a few minutes later. The moment she fled by her spectating teammates, one of them asserted, “Oh Gabi’s got this.” Lo and behold, Forrest sprinted through the finish line gunning for the bronze medal — a full 16 places higher than her last marker. Her finishing time of 20:12 was 34 seconds faster than the 20:46 race she ran at the same exact course just a few weeks earlier at the start of the season.
The women’s volleyball team split this weekend's games against Harvard and Dartmouth and will share the Ivy League title with Yale. This is the third straight year the Tigers have earned a share of the Ivy League crown. The Tigers (10-4 Ivy League) swept the Crimson and narrowly lost to Big Green in five sets. The Princeton team will head to New Haven this weekend to play for an NCAA bid.
Saturday night was a successful one on both ends of the rink for the Princeton men’s hockey team in their game against Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). The Tigers flaunted their team's incredible depth and unity, with thirteen players gaining points, including a few collegiate firsts for some freshmen. The Tigers clutched a 6-2 win and improved to 2-2-1 (1-2-1 ECAC), while the Engineers dropped to 2-5-3 (1-4-1 ECAC).
With the loss of multiple seniors last season, Princeton is looking for key contributors from last season to lead the team, as well as other players — both new and returning — to emerge as stars for the 2018 team. Here are some players to keep your eye on as the season begins.
Though the Ivy League title is now officially out of reach, Princeton will have one more chance to reverse its fortunes this season, in its finale next Saturday at Dartmouth. “We just can’t find that one play, that one call, whatever that is, to get that feeling again,” said Surace. “And we’re going to fight like hell to get it next week.”
