PDS goes for third state title in NP-B championship game
It’s always the goal of every team to be playing for a state title, and in the case of the Princeton Day girls lacrosse team, it is hoping to make it two state titles this season.
The No. 1 seeded Panthers (13-8), who already have the Prep B state title safely tucked away in the trophy case, will be competing for the NJSIAA Non-Public B crown on Saturday.
PDS will meet No. 3 Holy Spirit (16-5) in the Group finals at 3 p.m. on the turf at Hunterdon Central High School.
Besides the opportunity to become state champions, this is an historic event as it’s Princeton Day School’s first-ever NJSIAA state final appearance and in its first season competing within the guidelines of the NJSIAA.
“It is so awesome and I’m so excited,’’ said PDS senior Ali Surace. “We’ve been working so hard and I feel like it is all coming together and that is so exciting.’’
When Jill Thomas announced that this would be her final season after 34 years of coaching at Princeton Day, this group has risen to the challenge and is looking to make it a finish straight out of Hollywood.
“I think we always have it as a goal to make it to finals but two finals is really something special,’’ said Thomas. “This group is talented and they just keep rising to the challenge. So happy for the seniors to have the opportunity to go out this way.’’
The entire team would love to see Thomas go out with a couple state titles, too.
The Spartans might have something to say about that, though.
“As a competitor, you always believe you can win,’’ said Holy Spirit coach Kylie Primeau. “I would say it was halfway through the season that I really thought we had a real chance to compete for a state title. I knew we had a talented group of girls, but it’s the determination that really sets them apart.”
Both teams got out of the gate slowly and are playing their best lacrosse at the right time of the season.
PDS has won 10-of-13 and Holy Spirit has won 11-of-13
Both have been getting solid attack play, strong goalie play and good defense.
PDS is led by Paige Gardner with 68 goals and 20 assists, Tessa Caputo has 48 and 30, Surace has 37 and 27, Sophie Jaffe
has 32 and 12 and Elle Anhut has 31 and 27.
“I know that it takes a lot of hard work and preparation to end up in a state final championship game,’’ said Primeau. “Princeton Day is a good team with a lot of talent and we are looking forward to playing them.’’
The Spartans, who average 14.3 goals a game, have been led by Maddie Abbott with 64 goals and 24 assists, Maggie Cella adds 56 and 19 and Hanna Watson has 54 goals and 89 assists.
“They will come in hungry for the win for sure and we just have to have that in mind and bring our A game,’’ said Thomas. “We need to get out of the gate and not settle, play our game and be ready for the unexpected. We have to keep the we, before the me.”
Two things that will be crucial are draw controls and caused turnovers. The Anhut/Surace connection has been lethal for the Panthers and Spirit relies on Leah Corkhill (112 draws), Cella (69) and Abbott (52) in the circle.
“The key for us is to focus on our game,’’ said Primeau. “We talk a lot about details and controlling what we can control. Those aspects have helped us tremendously as we get deeper into the season. The girls take away something from every game that helps us in the next game. It’s exciting to watch and I’m proud to be their coach.’’
It should be a very competitive game and a place where Thomas deserves to be — in the state final.