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Princeton University Athletics
Softball Tigers Add Five from Class of 2027
June 20, 2023 | Softball
Five members of the Princeton Class of 2027, coming to campus from four states from coast to coast, are set to join the Princeton softball program.
Here is a look at the incoming class:
Graciela Dominguez • INF • B/T: L/R • 5-6 • Vienna, Va. • James Madison HS
Before Princeton: 16U PGF National Champion with Georgia Impact Premier Caymol (2022) ... with James Madison, was a 6A state champion (2022), 6A state runner-up (2023), district champion (2021, 2022, 2023), and regional champion (2022, 2023) ... four-year varsity starter and was a team captain as a senior ... graduated holding Virginia state records for doubles in a season, with 14, and runs scored in a season, with 47, both in 2022 ... set school records for single-season hits, with 52 in 2022 and again in 2023, and for most runs scored a season, with 47 in 2022 ... earned first-team all-district and all-region honors during her career ... NFCA Scholar-Athlete ... Extra Innings top-100 honoree in the Class of 2023, was on the website's National All-Summer Team in 2021 and 2022, and was the site's High School Player of the Week on June 7, 2022 ... selected to the Dominican Republic national team.
Why Princeton?:Â I chose Princeton because of the opportunity to receive the best education possible while also competing at the D1 level. I know this university will grant me a foundation for success. Seeing the coaches' interaction and love for their girls as well as their dedication to the program immediately attracted me. The team's family dynamic is truly special and I can't wait to become a part of their winning culture.
Karis Ford • OF/IF • B/T: R/R • 5-5 • Nipomo, Calif. • Dunn School
Before Princeton: Earned first-team all-league honors in volleyball as a junior and senior ... honor roll student each year from ninth through 12th grade ... with no team at her school, played only club softball, most recently with Firecrackers Rico 18U.
Why Princeton?:Â I chose Princeton because the intellectual knowledge and academic reputation align perfectly with my aspirations of a deep education in certain subjects. I believe that I will be able to become a well-rounded and prepared individual once my four years are over, and long after. When it comes to softball, the competitive yet homely feeling I got when I stepped on the field was indescribable, and I would love to contribute and develop my athletic abilities to enhance the program.Â
Allie Goodwin • IF/P • B/T: R/R • 5-6 • Barrington, Ill. • Barrington
Before Princeton: Helped Barrington to a state fourth-place finish in 2023 while earning MSL All-Conference and all-area honors ... served as team captain and set the Barrington school record for career home runs, at 45 ... won the school's All-Academic Senior Athlete award ... team finished fourth in the state in 2022 while Goodwin served as team captain and won conference Player of the Year, all-area, all-region and all-state honors ... team made the state final eight in 2021 while Goodwin earned all-conference, all-region and all-state honors ... earned High School Heisman recognition ... played club softball for Indiana Magic Gold 18U Green ... had a No. 22 national ranking for the Class of 2023 by Extra Innings in 2022 and 41st in 2021 ... earned National Honor Society, Illinois State Scholar and AP Scholar honors.
Why Princeton?:Â Princeton is the combination of everything I was looking for in a college experience. I knew I wanted to play in a highly competitive softball program at a school where I could get a world-class education, and from the moment I stepped on campus, I knew Princeton was the right fit for me. The people are special, the place is special, and I cannot wait to get there! Â
Cassidy Shaw • P/UT • B/T: R/R • 5-8 • Menifee, Calif. • Heritage
Before Princeton: Earned first-team CIF Southern Section and all-league honors (2021, 2022) ...had the league's lowest ERA in 2021 ... Western National Most Outstanding Pitcher 2022 ... Inland Sports All-Area Team (2022) ... earned the school's Scholar-Athlete Recognition Award for a GPA of 4.0 or better annually from 2019 through 2022 ... proud member of Team Ireland at the Triple Crown Sports International Challenge (2020-2023) ... also played varsity tennis and varsity lacrosse, earning first-team CIF Southern Section all-league in 2023 and serving as varsity lacrosse captain ... school's 2023 Scholar-Athlete of the Year and a 2023 ASPIRE Student - Platinum Status for maintaining a high GPA ... school's Legacy Award for High Academic Achievement 2023 ... earned the 4.0+ Honor Roll Award annually from 2019 through 2023 ... 2023 Hall of Fame Inductee Award: World Language ... certified for the PLTW Biomedical Path with four years in the pathway.
Why Princeton?:Â From the moment I stepped on campus, I knew Princeton was home. The culture surrounding the program has proved to be the most supportive and enriching community that I am lucky to soon be a part of. Coach Van Ackeren, Coach Davis, Coach Murray, and the incredible staff that helped to make Princeton special have welcomed me to the distinguished environment that is being a part of this team. The outstanding opportunities available through all that Princeton has to offer makes me confident that I will be able to thrive both on the field and academically. I couldn't be more excited to be a Tiger!
Sonia Zhang • INF • B/T: R/R • 5-7 • Houston, Texas • St. John's School
Before Princeton: Set the St. John's School record for four-year batting average at .620 ... hit 31 career home runs with St. John's and was the team MVP each season played from 2019 through 2023 ... all-conference honoree (2022, 2023) ... All-South Zone (2021, 2022, 2023) ... earned the school's Not Without Honor award annually from 2019 through 2023 ... served as team co-captain for her final two seasons ... 2022 Vype Houston Private School Hitter of the Year and finalist for Player of the Year ... 2021 Sparkler Power Pool National Champions with Prolific Fastpitch ... 2022 18U Bombers Exposure Elite Division first-team all-tournament ... Texas Fastpitch League 16U Summer Championship first-team all-tournament ... 2021 Extra Innings 16U All-Summer Team.
Why Princeton?:Â When I began my recruiting process, I wanted a school that could challenge me academically and athletically. Princeton met both criteria, offering one of the best educations in the nation and high standards for athletes. I knew there would be challenges, but the players and coaches showed me the abundant resources and family-like team culture they have created to be successful. Even on my first unofficial visit, Coach Van Ackeren went to practice with her 6 DAY old son, displaying the entire team's dedication to each other. I have full confidence that the coaching staff and players will push me to reach my fullest potential!
Here is a look at the incoming class:
Graciela Dominguez • INF • B/T: L/R • 5-6 • Vienna, Va. • James Madison HS
Before Princeton: 16U PGF National Champion with Georgia Impact Premier Caymol (2022) ... with James Madison, was a 6A state champion (2022), 6A state runner-up (2023), district champion (2021, 2022, 2023), and regional champion (2022, 2023) ... four-year varsity starter and was a team captain as a senior ... graduated holding Virginia state records for doubles in a season, with 14, and runs scored in a season, with 47, both in 2022 ... set school records for single-season hits, with 52 in 2022 and again in 2023, and for most runs scored a season, with 47 in 2022 ... earned first-team all-district and all-region honors during her career ... NFCA Scholar-Athlete ... Extra Innings top-100 honoree in the Class of 2023, was on the website's National All-Summer Team in 2021 and 2022, and was the site's High School Player of the Week on June 7, 2022 ... selected to the Dominican Republic national team.
Why Princeton?:Â I chose Princeton because of the opportunity to receive the best education possible while also competing at the D1 level. I know this university will grant me a foundation for success. Seeing the coaches' interaction and love for their girls as well as their dedication to the program immediately attracted me. The team's family dynamic is truly special and I can't wait to become a part of their winning culture.
Karis Ford • OF/IF • B/T: R/R • 5-5 • Nipomo, Calif. • Dunn School
Before Princeton: Earned first-team all-league honors in volleyball as a junior and senior ... honor roll student each year from ninth through 12th grade ... with no team at her school, played only club softball, most recently with Firecrackers Rico 18U.
Why Princeton?:Â I chose Princeton because the intellectual knowledge and academic reputation align perfectly with my aspirations of a deep education in certain subjects. I believe that I will be able to become a well-rounded and prepared individual once my four years are over, and long after. When it comes to softball, the competitive yet homely feeling I got when I stepped on the field was indescribable, and I would love to contribute and develop my athletic abilities to enhance the program.Â
Allie Goodwin • IF/P • B/T: R/R • 5-6 • Barrington, Ill. • Barrington
Before Princeton: Helped Barrington to a state fourth-place finish in 2023 while earning MSL All-Conference and all-area honors ... served as team captain and set the Barrington school record for career home runs, at 45 ... won the school's All-Academic Senior Athlete award ... team finished fourth in the state in 2022 while Goodwin served as team captain and won conference Player of the Year, all-area, all-region and all-state honors ... team made the state final eight in 2021 while Goodwin earned all-conference, all-region and all-state honors ... earned High School Heisman recognition ... played club softball for Indiana Magic Gold 18U Green ... had a No. 22 national ranking for the Class of 2023 by Extra Innings in 2022 and 41st in 2021 ... earned National Honor Society, Illinois State Scholar and AP Scholar honors.
Why Princeton?:Â Princeton is the combination of everything I was looking for in a college experience. I knew I wanted to play in a highly competitive softball program at a school where I could get a world-class education, and from the moment I stepped on campus, I knew Princeton was the right fit for me. The people are special, the place is special, and I cannot wait to get there! Â
Cassidy Shaw • P/UT • B/T: R/R • 5-8 • Menifee, Calif. • Heritage
Before Princeton: Earned first-team CIF Southern Section and all-league honors (2021, 2022) ...had the league's lowest ERA in 2021 ... Western National Most Outstanding Pitcher 2022 ... Inland Sports All-Area Team (2022) ... earned the school's Scholar-Athlete Recognition Award for a GPA of 4.0 or better annually from 2019 through 2022 ... proud member of Team Ireland at the Triple Crown Sports International Challenge (2020-2023) ... also played varsity tennis and varsity lacrosse, earning first-team CIF Southern Section all-league in 2023 and serving as varsity lacrosse captain ... school's 2023 Scholar-Athlete of the Year and a 2023 ASPIRE Student - Platinum Status for maintaining a high GPA ... school's Legacy Award for High Academic Achievement 2023 ... earned the 4.0+ Honor Roll Award annually from 2019 through 2023 ... 2023 Hall of Fame Inductee Award: World Language ... certified for the PLTW Biomedical Path with four years in the pathway.
Why Princeton?:Â From the moment I stepped on campus, I knew Princeton was home. The culture surrounding the program has proved to be the most supportive and enriching community that I am lucky to soon be a part of. Coach Van Ackeren, Coach Davis, Coach Murray, and the incredible staff that helped to make Princeton special have welcomed me to the distinguished environment that is being a part of this team. The outstanding opportunities available through all that Princeton has to offer makes me confident that I will be able to thrive both on the field and academically. I couldn't be more excited to be a Tiger!
Sonia Zhang • INF • B/T: R/R • 5-7 • Houston, Texas • St. John's School
Before Princeton: Set the St. John's School record for four-year batting average at .620 ... hit 31 career home runs with St. John's and was the team MVP each season played from 2019 through 2023 ... all-conference honoree (2022, 2023) ... All-South Zone (2021, 2022, 2023) ... earned the school's Not Without Honor award annually from 2019 through 2023 ... served as team co-captain for her final two seasons ... 2022 Vype Houston Private School Hitter of the Year and finalist for Player of the Year ... 2021 Sparkler Power Pool National Champions with Prolific Fastpitch ... 2022 18U Bombers Exposure Elite Division first-team all-tournament ... Texas Fastpitch League 16U Summer Championship first-team all-tournament ... 2021 Extra Innings 16U All-Summer Team.
Why Princeton?:Â When I began my recruiting process, I wanted a school that could challenge me academically and athletically. Princeton met both criteria, offering one of the best educations in the nation and high standards for athletes. I knew there would be challenges, but the players and coaches showed me the abundant resources and family-like team culture they have created to be successful. Even on my first unofficial visit, Coach Van Ackeren went to practice with her 6 DAY old son, displaying the entire team's dedication to each other. I have full confidence that the coaching staff and players will push me to reach my fullest potential!
Softball Highlights at Harvard, 4-26-26
Sunday, April 26
Softball Highlights at Harvard, 4-25-26
Saturday, April 25
Softball Highlights at Yale, 4-18-26
Saturday, April 18
Softball Highlights at Yale, 4-17-26
Friday, April 17