Tough schedule paying off for Princeton
It’s often said that it’s not about where you start, but where you finish.
Well, the age-old adage fits the Princeton High girls lacrosse team perfectly as it is arguably playing the best lacrosse of anybody in the area after shaking of a dismal start to the season.
The No. 1 seeded Little Tigers (11-10) are looking to prove it Monday afternoon against No. 4 Monroe (16-5) at 4 p.m. in the Central Jersey Group IV semifinal on the turf in Princeton.
A win would send the Tigers to the sectional final where it would meet the winner of No. 2 Rancocas Valley (10-8) and No. 3 Freehold Twp. (14-4). The Red Devils have ended Princeton’s season the last two years.
The Tigers beat RV, 11-10, in a regular-season meeting.
A win over Monroe would avenge a 16-15 regular loss to them back in April.
This is a much different Princeton team now.
“We are playing as a team and trusting each other more,” said secondyear Princeton coach Sara Doran. “That will be the key to our success in the state tournament. We are looking to use all our personnel rather than just relying on one or two girls. Our goalie has also had more time in the cage and is playing really well.”
Grace Reardon has been solid in the cage as the Little Tigers have won five of the last seven. The defense in front of Reardon has been strong with several players, including Lila Doran rising to the occasion.
The Princeton defense will be tested as Monroe, which advanced by holding on to an 11-10 win over Hightstown, has several players that can find the back of the cage.
Ashley Patten leads with 73 goals, Liz Skobelev chips in with 66 and 24 assists, Paige Gandy, who had six against Hightstown, adds 39 and 16.
“Communication and trust,” said Sara Doran. “Those have been our theme throughout the season and they will be key ingredients to our success moving forward.”
Princeton is led by Mariana Lopez-Ona with 80 goals and 21 assists, whiel one of the premier passers in the state has been Shaylah Marciano. She has 70 assists and 45 goals, Abaigeal Ryan has 43 goals and Kathryn DeMilt chimes in with 30 and 19.
The Tigers have played one of the toughest schedules around and they are hoping to continue to reap the benefits as they search for a state title.
Princeton is the only area team to win a state title, but that was back in 1985.
Just how difficult was the schedule?
Of their 10 losses, eight of those teams are in their respective state semifinals and Lawrenceville was the county tournament champion and a Prep A finalist.
“We knew going into the season that we had a challenging schedule and we did that intentionally to prepare us for the state tournament,” said Doran. “In the past we’ve had easier schedules and then it was a rude awakening when we’ve come up against more competitive teams. We wanted to prepare for that even if it meant taking some losses. So, we feel we are ready.”