Sports

A countdown of the top moments in 2017–18 Princeton sports

As the 2017–2018 school year comes to a close, we look back at some of the best moments in Princeton sports this past season. From thrilling overtime victories to personal milestones to NCAA tournament runs, this list highlights the 10 moments that defined Princeton sports this past year. 

Women’s tennis wraps up season with defeat at NCAA regionals

In the opening match of the NCAA tournament in Lubbock, Texas, women’s tennis came within a point of knocking out No. 19 Illinois University, but fell just short to lose 4–3.

Women’s lacrosse falls in NCAA to conclude spring season

The women’s lacrosse team fell to No. 4 Boston College 16–10 to exit the second round of the NCAA tournament. The Tigers narrowly beat Syracuse in double overtime to clinch a spot in the second round. However, they were unable to overcome the early lead the Eagles built.

Walton, women's golf, fall just short of NCAA bid

Maya Walton looked to make a second straight NCAA national appearance with a successful run in San Francisco. Unfortunately, her and the rest of the Tigers fell just short of their goal, ending their season with high expectations for the future. 

Princeton preps for showdown with Illinois

With the NCAA women’s tennis bracket released, the Tigers (19–3 overall, 7–0 Ivy) are set to take on No. 19 seed Illinois (21–5) in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in Lubbock, Texas. With the Tigers currently ranked No. 47 in the ITA and No. 24 in the USTA, they will be heading into a match as an underdog for the first time since March, when they took on then-ITA No. 46 William and Mary (17–9). The Tigers lost that match, and hope to reverse their fortunes against Illinois.

Tigers dominate Ivy League Heps to win their 9th triple crown

For the ninth time in school history, the Princeton Tigers have clinched the men’s track triple crown.

Women’s lacrosse wins Ivy League, earning automatic bid to NCAA Tournament

The women’s lacrosse team defeated Columbia and Penn in the Ivy League Tournament this Friday and Sunday to claim an automatic bid to the NCAA Championship and their fourth Ivy League Championship. The No. 1 Tigers started the first round of the tournament with a strong performance against the Lions, beating Columbia 17–7. The 10-point margin of victory was the largest in the Ivy League Tournament.

Weekend review: Men’s track and field, women’s lacrosse win Ivy League championships

Phenomenal performances by men’s track and field and women’s lacrosse were tempered by anti-climactic ends to the baseball and softball seasons.

Looking back at Princeton women's golf and their struggle for varsity status

More than forty years ago, Princeton Associate Athletic Director Sam Howell ’50 floated the idea of forming a new club sport to baseball coach Eddie Donovan. Just a few months later, the Princeton women’s golf team became a reality. After several decades, the team has grown into one of the premier teams in the Ivy League and a force to be reckoned with at tournaments throughout the Northeast. Their triumphs include back-to-back Ivy League titles this year and last.

Future WNBA player Leslie Robinson breaks barriers in women’s basketball program

“I’ve always wanted to play this game for as long as I can,” Leslie Robinson ’18 said. “I love what I have gotten from it and the person it has helped me become, win or lose. I’ve gained so many friends and they have become my family.”

Women’s tennis heads to NCAA regionals after perfect 7–0 finish in the Ivy League

After a perfect 7–0 run through Ivy League play, women’s tennis will head south for the NCAA regionals beginning May 11. They will travel to Lubbock, Texas, where they will begin play facing nationally ranked No. 19 Illinois.

Women’s lacrosse to face Columbia in Ivy League tournament

In a repeat of the final game of conference play, the women’s lacrosse team will face Columbia in the first game of the Ivy League tournament as the two teams will fight for a coveted spot in the NCAA tournament. The Princeton side will look for a repeat of its 22–16 victory as it hosts its Ivy League rivals on Sherrerd Field.

Swept by Yale, baseball continues skid

Baseball lost to Yale (20–17 overall, 14–4 Ivy) in all three games last weekend, its last at home.

Swept by Penn, softball continues inconsistent season

Softball suffered a rough weekend against its matchup versus Penn, ending the weekend with three consecutive losses. On Friday, Princeton battled back-and-forth with the Quakers, eventually losing 12–11. The Saturday matchups were not quite as close; the Tigers lost 9–2 and 3–2 in the first and second games of the doubleheader, respectively.

Tigers suffer heartbreaking loss to Wolverines in CWPA Championships

The Princeton women’s water polo team (23–8) suffered a season-ending heartbreaker this past weekend at the Collegiate Water Polo Association Championships at Bucknell University. Defeating the No. 23 Harvard Crimson and the No. 14 Indiana Hoosiers in the first two rounds, the Tigers made it to the championship game, only to fall to their long-time rivals, the No. 11 Michigan Wolverines, 11–8.

Tigers defeat Cornell in season finale, fall just short on making the playoffs

Coming into their final game, the Tigers needed a win over Cornell and some help from Dartmouth to make the Ivy League Playoffs. The Tigers did their part with a 14–8 win, but failed to make the playoffs after Dartmouth did not deliver on their end. 

Women’s lacrosse defeats Columbia to claim fifth consecutive Ivy League title

The women’s lacrosse team defeated Columbia, 22–16, on April 28 to claim the Ivy League championship title. The win earned the team their fifth consecutive and fourteenth overall Ivy League title. As this season’s champions, the Tigers will host the Ivy League Tournament next weekend.

Weekend review

This week, lacrosse wins big, men's track and field makes a good showing, and baseball and softball strike out. 

Women’s lacrosse dominates Penn, keep Ivy League title hopes alive

The women’s lacrosse team dominated Penn in a must-win game with its title hopes on the line. The Tigers defeated the Quakers 21–8, a record margin which has not been matched since April 2000. With this victory the Tigers move into a tie for the top spot in the Ivy League with Dartmouth and Penn.

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