In a thrilling showdown between two of the nation’s top women’s squash programs, the #4 Princeton University Tigers hosted #2 Trinity College on Sunday, January 12, in Princeton, NJ. The highly anticipated CSA Women’s Match of the Week did not disappoint, delivering incredible performances and a dramatic finish that saw Princeton edge out Trinity with a 5-4 victory.
Coming off a strong performance against Yale the previous day, the Tigers entered the match with confidence and optimism. The early matches set the tone for what would be a fiercely contested battle. Zeina Zein dominated at the #1 position, earning a decisive victory over Malak Ashraf Kamal. At #5, first-year Caroline Eielson earned a crucial win over Trinity’s Kara Lincou, while Sonya Sasson fought valiantly at #7, falling just short to Janna Ashmawy in a marathon five-game match. By the end of the first round, Princeton held a narrow 2-1 lead.
The momentum carried into the next wave of matches. Katherine Sapinski displayed poise and strategic play to secure a victory at #6, while Liyen Teoh, coming back from nagging injuries, delivered her best squash of the season with a win at #8. Meanwhile, at #3, Molly Chadwick started strong but couldn’t hold off a determined Noa Romero, who rallied for a comeback. With a 4-2 lead, Princeton was poised for victory but knew they faced some of Trinity’s strongest players in the final round.
At the number four spot, Trinity’s Hannah Chukwu was just too strong on Sunday, defeating Charlotte Bell in straight games to bring the score to 4-3. With Princeton still needing one more victory to clinch the match, the focus shifted to the two remaining courts. At #2, Emma Trauber was locked in a battle, down 2-1 but fighting hard against Jana Safy. Meanwhile, first-year Hermione Cao at #9 faced Trinity’s Varvara Esina. After trailing 8-6 in the opening game, Cao adjusted her tactics and fought back to take the first game 11-9. From there, she found her rhythm, winning the next two games 11-8 and 11-2, securing the fifth and deciding victory for Princeton.
Reflecting on the match, Princeton head coach Gail Ramsay shared her thoughts on the honor of competing in the CSA Match of the Week: “It is always an honor to be a part of a highlighted match for the CSA. We take great pride representing not only Princeton University and our athletic department but the College Squash Association as well. Win or lose, it is an honor, and we are grateful to be recognized.”
Ramsay also highlighted the leadership and hard work that have been key to the team’s success: “We focus on the process and the hard work it takes to improve and grow as athletes and people. We are fortunate to have outstanding senior leadership and captains who understand the priorities of our program. They have grown throughout their time in the program and are leaders who lead by example and are not afraid to speak up and challenge their teammates and me, all in a positive and productive way. They will help lead the way in the level of play for us.”
The players echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and determination. First-year Hermione Cao, who won the match clinching point, reflected on her experience: “As a freshman, winning the crucial match felt just as surreal as winning any other major tournament titles, but it also brings a special feeling since this cannot be done without my other amazing teammates. With all of my teammates and the coaches cheering for me behind the glass, I cannot be more grateful for the support my team has shown me in the short five months I have been here.”
Senior Molly Chadwick expressed how much the win meant in her final year: “This win really means a lot to me, especially with it being the first time we have beaten Trinity in my four years at Princeton. We knew going in it was going to be a tight match all the way through, and we were prepared to battle. Everyone really gave it their all on court, and I’m so proud of how the team played. We have been putting in a lot of hard work this season, and to see it pay off feels amazing and motivates us to keep putting hard training in for the rest of the season.”
Katherine Sapinski added, “Yesterday’s upset win against a formidable opponent was a true team effort, and I couldn’t be prouder of how all 13 of us came together to make it happen. The strong support from our coaching staff, our fans, and for each other was unmatched—it’s moments like these that highlight the strength of our squad. Seeing all of the hard work we’ve put in at practice pay off in such a big way is so rewarding, and we’re ready to build on this momentum. Onto the next!”
This victory was a testament to Princeton’s depth, resilience, and unity. With strong leadership and a commitment to improvement, the Tigers are determined to build on this momentum as they set their sights on the rest of the season and their ultimate goal of competing for the national championship.
