Princeton headed to the quarterfinal round

MONMOUTH JCT. >> Senior Scott Mayers made the most of his first start in a state tournament game.

Mayers was up to the challenge of sending the Princeton High ice hockey team into the quarterfinal round.

While Mayers was turning Jackson Memorial away, the Tigers’ offense was in high gear, taking an 8-4 win over the Jaguars on Thursday at ProSkate.

The Tigers (14-8-3) await the winner of No. 3 Westfield and No.14 Manalapan for a semifinal game that will be played on Monday.

Jackson Memorial concludes its season with a 9-11-2 record.

“I just wanted to stay positive and not too nervous,” said Mayer. “I just went out like it was any other game and tried my best.”

Mayers finished with 14 saves.

Princeton didn’t waste any time letting everyone know it’s a new season and it knows how to handle state tournament pressure. The last two seasons the Tigers have reached the state semifinals.

Just 65 second into the game, Aidan Trainor scored and when Mayers and the defense shut down two Jackson power plays they had a 2-0 lead after one.

Keith Goldberg added the other first period goal.

The offense was just as impressive in the second and before the period was even four minutes old it was 4-0. Austin Micale and Robert Trainor scored for the Tigers.

“We had some moments where we played really good hockey,” said Princeton coach Tim Chase. “Overall I think we played really well. When we are physical we are a really good team. We start to play pond hockey it gets really messy.”

If there was a blip defensively it came with 8:02 left in the second when they were whistled for a five-minute major. Jackson took advantage and scored twice, but a Jaguars penalty evened things and Micale got his second and Calvin Rogers finished off the second period with another goal for a 6-2 lead.

“When we got the five minute I knew I just had to keep playing,” said Mayers. “Getting a win here feels great. This is my senior year and I just want to keep playing. This is our senior year and we have to give it all we got.”

“Scott (Mayers) played well and we have been shuffling around all year with the goalies,” said Chase. “This is a start.”

HILL 3, LAWRENCEVILLE 2

Hill put in a third period goal to claim the Mid-Atlantic Hockey League Championship on Thursday at Loucks Ice Center.

The Big Red was the top seed having gone through the regular season undefeated and then handling Portledge in the semifinals.

It was C.J. Duvall doing the damage for Hill with the hat trick, including the game winner.

Hill led 2-0 and then the Big Red came roaring back to tie it at 2-2 just as the second period ended.

Matt Manahan and Mike Rocco scored for Lawrenceville and T. J. Semptimphelter was solid in the goal.