THOU SHALT NOT SCORE
Just hearing that number made a few jaws drop on the Panthers’ bench.
“Wow,” Coyne said with a laugh.
“It’s great to have all those shutouts, but like coach (Pat Trombetta) says, it’s not for us to worry about the games in the past, but for the ones right in front of us,” Coyne continued. “We don’t look to far in front of us, we just look at the game directly in front of us.”
Katie Simons scored both of the Panthers’ goals in the second half, arriving at the back post to finish off pinpoint crosses from Hannah Bunce and Damali Simon-Ponte.
Barbara’s been the anchor behind this winning run. Since a 3-3 draw against George School to open the year, she’s only conceded one goal.
What’s surprising about this streak is the youth in the PDS side. The right back Meyercord is the only senior on a team already playing without injured juniors Alexis Davis and Allison Klei.
“I knew we had a lot of talent coming in,” said Barbara, who was also banged up entering the season after a hip flexor injury. “We started off a little slow, and I think that was because of injuries. We’ve been working very hard and we’ve improved a lot since preseason. You can really tell.”
Barbara is also an accomplished goalkeeper outside of high school. She got the chance to travel abroad with a Northeast Regional select team and play in both Italy and Costa Rica.
She attributed that experience for helping prepare her for her sophomore season at PDS.
“That was a big confidence booster for me,” Barbara said. “It really gave me the opportunity ... I’ve always been put second, so getting that No. 1 spot, I really proved myself. It was a confidence builder and it really helped me come into high school season with that high confidence.
“It was really a life altering moment because I got to play internationally, which a lot of players don’t get the opportunity to do. It really gives you a perspective of all the different playing styles around the world.”
Not only does Barbara stand out for her shotstopping ability, she’s outstanding with her feet — a skill often lacking in young goalkeepers.
“That makes it so much easier for the entire team,” said Coyne, another sophomore who has been a club teammate of Barbara’s, too. “If we always have to go up the line when we are playing with (our) back to goal, it’s predictable and you don’t want to turn into the middle, so you have to play back to her.”
The college recruiting has already heated up for the sophomore shot-stopper, but Barbara said she’s holding off on a commitment because she wants to attend an Ivy League school. She’s been in touch with both Columbia and Harvard and thinks it may come down to those two.
Before any such college choice, there’s still plenty left to accomplish this season.
Barbara would like to start with a Mercer County Tournament championship, a trophy the Panthers lifted in 2013 for the only time in program history.
“I’m trying to help our team get to that next level,” Barbara said. “To win that Mercer County championship again, to say that prep schools can do it, Princeton Day School can do it. We’re not just a one and done.”
9 (L). K. Simons 2 (PDS).
Bunce, Simon-Ponte (PDS). 17 (PDS). 3 (L). Barbara 3 (PDS). Wakeman
*** ALLENTOWN 6, HAMILTON 0 ALLENTOWN >> Kali Hartshorn announced her return from injury with a hat trick and the Redbirds won their game in hand, setting up a clash Tuesday night with Hopewell that will likely decide the CVC Patriot Division.
Alyssa Sloane, Emma Pascarella and Deanna Delaney also scored for Allentown.
K. Hartshorn 3, Sloane, Pascarella, Delaney (A).
Pascarella 3 (A). Mraw 16 (H). Robinson 1 (A).
FLORENCE 7, TCA 0 FLORENCE >> Karlie Carmignani notched a pair of goals, leading the Flashes (5-2-1) to an easy victory over the winless Iron Mikes.