Feeling refreshed, Pennington jumps all over PDS

PENNINGTON >> The Pennington School girls soccer team is getting healthy at the right time and that’s bad news for the rest of Mercer County.

The Red Raiders came out fired up after a week off and rolled to a 4-0 victory over prep rival Princeton Day on Saturday’s Senior Night.

Seniors Sydney Gibbard and Jaydin Avery scored the first two goals, while Ellie Hawkey gave Pennington (102-1) a 3-0 lead five minutes before halftime. Molly Gibbard tallied in the second half.

“We knew it was going to be a challenge and we were totally prepared to come out and play under the lights,” said Mary Griswold, one of Pennington’s five seniors. “I think it being Senior Night, we all played together as a team.”

The Red Raiders started quickly when Sydney Gibbard tapped in a rebound after Kylie Daigle’s initial effort was palmed onto the bar by Panthers goalkeeper Riley Felsher. Senior Madeline Lamb played a big part in the goal when she laid the ball back to Daigle for her shot.

Avery doubled the advantage in the 15th minute, racing onto a Daigle pass and finishing past Felsher, who got a hand on the St. Joe’s-bound senior’s effort.

Hawkey smashed in the third goal from 20 yards out. Pennington also welcomed back senior Gianna Lucchesi, who had been sidelined with a knee injury since a 1-0 victory over Pennsbury last month.

“That’s been something we’ve struggled with, starting from the get-go of the game,” Griswold said. “We took the week and mentally trained ourselves to be ready. We knew they were going to be fired up and would want to beat us on our Senior Night.”

PDS (9-3-1) had spells of possession, particularly in the second half when Pennington was looking to play on the counter attack, but couldn’t carve out a goal to get back in the game.

Panthers coach Pat Trombetta knew this would be a tough task after losing a pair of starters for the remainder of the season during the week.

“I thought we matched their effort and energy level throughout the game, but when you play good teams, you can’t make mistakes and we made a few mistakes that they capitalized on,” Trombetta said. “I think that was the difference in the game.”

Both teams turn their attention to the Mercer County Tournament, which starts on Thursday. PDS hosts Hightstown, while Pennington welcomes Trenton.

The Red Raiders haven’t reached the final since 2014, an eternity by their lofty standards.

That’s not lost on any of the Pennington players.

“They have goals and I know the senior class has been without an MCT championship, so it’s important to them,” co-head coach Dr. Bill Hawkey said.

PDS (9-3-1) 0 0 - 0

Pennington (10-2-1) 3 1 - 4

Goals: S. Gibbard, Avery, Hawkey, M. Gibbard (TPS); Assists: Daigle 2, Avery, Cafferty (TPS); Shots: 8 (PDS). 18 (TPS); Saves: Felsher 9 (PDS). Kavulich 5 (TPS).

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HOPEWELL 6, EWING 1 HOPEWELL TWP. >> Emily Cooke had two goals, Emily DeNero had one and two assists and the Bulldogs cruised to a victory over the Blue Devils in a CVC Valley Division game.

Ewing (1-12) 0 1 - 1

Hopewell (11-3-1) 4 2 - 6

Goals: Cooke 2, Yancey, DeNero, Sison, Ellis (HV). Rodriguez (E); Assists: DeNero 2, O’Brien, Cooke, Allex, Tellier (HV); Shots: 3 (E). 12 (HV); Saves: Ordonez 4 (E). Murphy 2 (HV).

LAWRENCE 3, PEMBERTON 1 PEMBERTON TWP. >> Sarah Berardi, Lauren Edgar and Katie Ossowski all scored for the Cardinals as they picked up a non-league win over the Hornets.

Lawrence (7-5-2) 2 1 - 3 Pemberton (5-8) 0 1 -1

Goals: Berardi, Edgar, Ossowski (L); Assists: Crutchley, Maloney (L); Saves: Little 4 (L).

DELVAL 6, HAMILTON 1 HAMILTON >> Katherine Schiereck had four goals and Terriers pulled away from the Hornets.

Delaware Valley (4-9) 3 3 - 6 Hamilton (2-12) 0 1 - 1

WW-PS 2,

SOUTH BRUNSWICK 1 PRINCETON JCT. >> Haley Grecsek and Tia Saade grabbed the goals for the Pirates as they downed the Vikings in overtime.

South Brunswick (4-10) 0 1 0 - 1 WW-PS (3-10) 0 1 1 - 1

Goals: Grecsek, Saade (WWS); Assists: Guest, Patel (WWS); Saves: Jaclin 5 (WWS).

HUN 2, HILL 0 POTTSTOWN, PA. >> Ally Cowan and Nicole Angelini scored on either side of halftime and the Raiders (3-7) snapped a sevengame losing streak by crossing the Delaware and heading into Pennsylvania. Leah Sutphen got the shutout with six saves.