Hopewell and PDS clash in rematch of 2013 title game
What happens when you take the county’s most lethal attack and send it up against the county’s stingiest defense?
You get what should be an outstanding Mercer County Tournament girls soccer final when top-seeded Hopewell Valley (18-1-1) clashes with third-seeded Princeton Day (15-0-2) on Thursday night (5 p.m.) at TCNJ’s Lions Stadium.
John McGinley’s Bulldogs, seeking their first ever title, have scored 76 goals this season and have four players with at least 11. They are, of course, paced by senior Katarina Nilsson, one of the best forwards in the state, who has hit the net 28 times.
“Regardless of our tactical approach to the game, we must play with discipline and confidence,” PDS coach Pat Trombetta said. “We have to limit our mistakes in the defensive third. We are aware of the number of offensive weapons that they present and are always a well prepared opponent.”
Trombetta knows something or a late runner, usually Julie Cane (11 goals) or Sabrina Schrader (11 goals).
“We just feel like someone is going to find a way,” McGinley said. “We have confidence, which is good. It’s not cockiness, just a confidence that we’ll find a way.”
PDS has to generate more chances than it did against Pennington where all four of its shots came from set pieces. Coyne can score on a free kick from 35 yards and in, so Hopewell has to be careful about fouling close to the box, but the Panthers have to get Damali Simon-Ponte (11 goals, 16 assists) more involved than she was in the semifinal.
The Bulldogs are strong in the back, too, with Niamh Harkins and Hannah Marino, the best pairing in the CVC, in front of goalkeeper Sarah Ouslander.
“I expect this to be a very competitive game,” Trombetta said. “It’s a matchup featuring one of the most explosive ofensvie teams in the area vs. a strong defensive side . ... I expect both teams to present Mercer County girls soccer well in the final.”