Princeton, PDS battle to feisty draw
PRINCETON » The Princeton High and Princeton Day School girls soccer team’s don’t play often, but after the game they produced on Saturday, maybe they should bring the rivalry back on a regular basis.
In a thrilling and at times feisty nonleague affair, the host Little Tigers took a two-goal lead only for the Panthers to score twice in the last 11 minutes and force overtime. After 20 tense extra minutes, the contest finished in a 2-2 draw.
“It’s such a great result to have at the beginning of the season,” said Princeton goalkeeper Caroline Ealy, who finished with seven saves, including a pair of point-blank stops in the second overtime to keep her team on level terms. “It’s such a confidence boost even with the tie at the end. Everybody played their butt off today and we worked so hard, so it’s such a great thing to see.”
The Little Tigers (1-0-1) were in position to upset the four-time defending Prep B champion when freshman Sophia Lis finished off quick counter attack set up by Morgan Beamer in the 55th minute. Although the goal came against the run of play — PDS enjoyed about 65 percent of the possession — Princeton defended resolutely and even added a second goal when Kirin Kunukkasseril’s long-distance volley hit the back of the net in the 66th minute.
The Panthers (1-0-1) didn’t go away quietly and Brianna Astbury responded with the first of her two goals three minutes later when she glanced in Ariana Jones’ cross. Astbury, a junior, equalized in the 74th minute by curling a rightfooted shot into the corner from 20 yards.
“I’m glad that we came back with a lot of heart and didn’t give up,” Astbury said. “We kind of hung our heads a little bit, but the first goal kind of picked us all up and gave us a little bit of hope because we were still in it and had a little bit of time left.”
PDS outshot Princeton, 24-7, and created the better chances in overtime, but Ealy made two excellent saves four minutes apart to give the Little Tigers a boost.
“It was all just adrenaline at that point,” Ealy said. “It was one of those things that is for the team. It was a take it or leave it kind of situation. Both teams played their butt off.”
Goalkeeper is a position Princeton coach Valerie Rodriguez knows she can count on with Ealy and Shaylah Marciano, who played the first half.
“We’re doing the shared time this year and both are top-notch goalies,” Rodriguez said. “Both are leaders on the field. That was a huge game for Caroline.”
Given his side’s edge in possession and scoring chances, PDS coach Pat Trombetta was disappointed not to get more out of the game, but also took comfort in the fight his group showed once it fell behind.
“You have two contrasting styles with a possession team against a direct team, but I think we had the better legs and were more fit toward the end, which created the better opportunities,” he said. “Down 2-0 with 15 minutes left, you’re satisfied to a certain extent because your team battles back and a lot of teams role over at that point.”
One thing is for sure. These two teams do this more often.
“I would enjoy a rivalry,” Trombetta said. “Princeton has a good program and we hope we can continue this each year. We hadn’t played them in a regular-season game for 20 years, but faced them three times in the (Mercer County Tournament) since I’ve been here and they’ve always been a solid game.” Princeton Day (1-0-1) 0 2 0 0 — 2
Princeton (1-0-1) 0 2 0 0 — 2
Goals: Astbury 2 (PDS). Lis, Kunukkasseril (PHS); Assists: AJones (PDS). Beamer, Franklin (PHS); Shots: 24 (PDS). 7 (PHS); Saves: Felsher 5 (PDS). Marciano 2, Ealy 7 (PHS).
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BRIDGEWATER-RARITAN 3, HOPEWELL 0 HOPEWELL TWP. » The Panthers scored all three of their goals in the first half to blank the Bulldogs. Hopewell goalkeeper Braylee Walters finished with 14 saves.
Bridgewater (3-0) 3 0 — 3
Hopewell (1-1) 0 0 — 0
Goals: Lowery, Winchock, Mason (BR); Assists: Winchock, Ousouljoglou, Escudero (BR); Shots: 17 (BR). 9 (HV); Saves: Ousouljoglou 9 (BR). Walters 14 (HV).
PENN CHARTER 2, PENNINGTON 1 PENNINGTON » Janea Stewart scored a pair of second-half goals and the Quakers spoiled the Red Raiders’ season opener. Jaydin Avery was on target for Pennington and Sophia Kavulich made eight saves.
Penn Charter (3-0) 0 2 — 2
Pennington (0-1) 0 1 — 1
Goals: Stewart 2 (PC). Avery (TPS); Assists: Shippon, Hodgons (PC). Daigle (TPS); Shots: 12 (PC). 8 (TPS); Saves: Smith 6 (PC). Kavulich 8 (TPS).
BURLINGTON TWP. 4, LAWRENCE 2 BURLINGTON » Jiselle Daniels netted twice to lead the Falcons over the Cardinals. Gabby Caruso and Lauren Edgar scored the goals for Lawrence. Lawrence (1-1) 0 2 — 2
Burl. Twp. (1-1) 1 3 — 4
Goals: Caruso, Edgar (L). Daniels 2, D’Ilio, Mbuakoto (BT); Assists: Mbuakoto 2 (BT); Shots: 9 (L). 20 (BT); Saves: Karpontinis 17 (L). Turpin 7 (BT).
NOTRE DAME 6, WOODBRIDGE 1 LAWRENCE » Olivia Panko had a hat trick, Megan Dee tallied twice and Carly Smith added a goal and the Irish bounced back from their opening-day loss to get in the win column. Woodbridge (0-2) 1 0 — 1
Notre Dame (1-1) 3 3 — 6
Goals: Gattone (W). Panko 3, Dee 2, Smith (ND); Assists: Beetel, Dee, Panko 2, Smith (ND); Shots 4 (W). 32 (ND); Saves: De Jesus 10 (W). Rende 4 (ND).
HUN 3, EWING 0
EWING » Nicole Angelini, Hannah Cavanaugh and Bryonna Worthy all scored for the Raiders as they opened their campaign with a victory over the Blue Devils.
Hun (1-0) 2 1 — 3
Ewing (0-2) 0 0 — 0
Goals: Angelini, Cavanaugh, Worthy (H); Assists: D’Aulerio, McNulty, Wehner (H); Shots 10 (H). 2 (E); Saves: Sutphen 2 (H). Kueny 4, Ordonez 3 (E).
OAK KNOLL 5, PEDDIE 1 HIGHTSTOWN » Christine Markey tallied the lone goal for the Falcons (0-1), which came in the first half. Katherine Whalen paced the Royals with a hat trick.