Princeton University Athletics
A Look Back At Princeton's Winter Of 1998-99.
September 15, 1999 | General
Aug. 1, 1999
By the time the ball drops on the year, the decade, the century, the millennium even, the sentimentalists at Old Nassau will sit around and relive some of the greatest games in the history of the Orange and Black.
The Palestra faithful mocked their humiliated opponents with an ovation as Chris Young drained a free throw. It was Princeton's fourth point. Quite some time ago, years maybe, Penn scored their fourth point. Their fourth of 29 straight points. Penn led 29-4, and halftime was nearing.
They will remember the games of Hobey Baker and Bill Bradley. They will remember the Ivy championships, the NCAA championships, the shot that defeated UCLA. They will tap their memory banks trying to relive the many defining moments of the glorious history of Princeton University.
Doug Stienstra's goal midway through the second period left the Cornell fans pondering their next opponent. Baker Rink belonged to them and their Big Red, who skated to a 4-1 lead and a seemingly sure trip to the ECAC Final Five. For Princeton's amazing Class of 1999, the end was nearing.
And as they test their memory, two games will seem fresh. Two games, two teams, two mountains that looked too steep, too rocky to climb. Two times when the tradition of Princeton prevailed in the most impossible of circumstances.
Two times when you had to see it to truly believe it.
The men's basketball team, fresh off a season when it peaked at No. 7 in the nation, missed three key pieces of a team that had taken three straight Ivy titles. The Tigers weren't able to make it four, losing stunners at Yale and Harvard before finally relinquishing the crown in the regular-season finale against Penn. A deep run in the NIT and a Christmas tournament title in Hawaii showed that Princeton will be strong once again next season.
But the date everybody will remember is Feb. 9, 1999. To the shock of the thousands who crowded into the Palestra, Princeton pieced together a 37-9 run over the final 15 minutes to steal an unbelievable comeback victory, 50-49.
The men's hockey team put together one of its best seasons ever, winning a school-record 20 games and the Mariucci Classic. Princeton hosted its first-ever ECAC quarterfinal series, although it was 20 minutes away from ending with a disappointing loss to Cornell before the Tigers, led by the play of senior Syl Apps, outscored the Big Red 4-1 in the final period to advance to the Final Five. Although Princeton had won a number of big games at Baker Rink, none could match the excitement and importance of this one.
The women's basketball team won the Ivy title for the first time since 1985, although it had to share the championship with Dartmouth. In a one-game playoff, the first half ended in a 24-24 tie, but Dartmouth utilized its experience and depth to take the NCAA berth with a 17-point win. Princeton had four All-Ivy players and also won the 1998 First Union Classic.
The women's squash team may not attract the publicity and hype of other sports, but it ended the season better than any of its winter peers - with a national championship. Princeton won its second straight national title at the Howe Cup, avenging a regular-season loss to Harvard from seven days earlier in the final match. The deciding point in the 5-4 win for the title was delivered by Princeton senior Meghan Murphy in the No. 9 match.
The men's team was definitely the fourth best team in the country. The Tigers went 11-0 against teams ranked fifth and below and 0-5 against the top three of Trinity, Harvard and Yale. Old Nassau did produce both individual national champions, Peter Yik and Julia Beaver.
The men's fencing team finished second in the Ivy League after a tough 14-13 loss to Penn, the eventual champion. They were able to top Penn at the end, though, as the Tigers placed an Ivy-high fourth at nationals. The women took their first Ivy fencing title, thanks in large part to the duo of Caitlin Rich and Maya Lawrence. The Tigers finished second at the IFA championships and combined with the men to win the program's first ever 5-weapon title.
Not that it ever gets old, but the men's track team was up to its old tricks, winning the indoor Heptagonal title. Tora Harris won a second consecutive indoor Heps high jump championship and finished 13th in the NCAA championships. He was a perfect 7 for 7 all season, not counting the NCAA championships. The women's indoor track finished second at the indoor Heps championships. Both youth and experience were served, as senior co-captain Aiyanna Burton won the Heps championship in the long jump and freshman Natalie Deffenbaugh won the 800-meter indoor title.
The men's swimming team finished second at the EISL championships. Senior Matt Vogt went on to participate in the NCAA championships in two different events. Coach Rob Orr remained undefeated as a head coach in DeNunzio Pool with a perfect 37-0 record. The women's swimming team finished second at the Ivy championships, which was held at DeNunzio as part of the year-long celebration of the 25th anniversary of women's sports in the Ivy League.
The wrestling team struggled in the league, although it produced fine showings in some early-season tournaments. Two Tigers, Juan Venturi and Ryan Bonfiglio, were first-team All-Ivy selections.
The women's hockey team participated in the ECAC tournament for the seventh consecutive season, falling 5-1 at New Hampshire. The Tigers had numerous strong individual performances. Ali Coughlin was a finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Award, presented annually to the nation's top collegiate player. She finished out her career with 40 points as a senior, four behind team the team's scoring leader, freshman Andrea Kilbourne. Kilbourne led the Tigers with 44 points and was a second-team All-ECAC and All-Ivy selection.