Princeton High tangles with Ridge for sectional title
There are very many positive traits to this Princeton High field hockey team and maybe the greatest is its fierce determination to succeed.
It has been that determination and competitive spirit that has brought the Tigers to the conference division title, a spot in the county final and now to the North Jersey Group IV sectional championship game.
Second-seeded Princeton (17-2) hosts fifth-seeded Ridge (16-6) on Tuesday at 2 p.m. on the Tigers’ turf.
“We deserve to be in the finals,” said Princeton coach Heather Serverson. “We have some very good players and it’s awesome and we are happy to continue.”
Princeton advanced in thrilling fashion with a 2-1 overtime win over Phillipsburg and Ridge blanked top-seed East Brunswick, 5-0.
“We have never been in this position before as a two seed and it’s very motivational for us,” said Princeton senior Delaney Keegan. “We know we deserve to be here.”
The Tigers have proven they belong and it’s a team that never seems to be out of the game. Despite being down 1-0 early in the third to Phillipsburg, it became even more determined.
“This group is in it to win it,” said Serverson. “They have come to compete and we have been working on not giving up.”
While the attack garners all the headlines, the Princeton defense has been spectacular and against Phillipsburg
Reva Doshi controlled the midfield.
The Tigers defense has allowed just 11 goals all season and only two in the state tournament.
Ridge has been just as impressive as it has yielded just one goal in state play.
Looking to add to that total will be Cornell-bound Keegan with her 25 goals and six assists, Dickinsonbound Erin Liggio has 20 goals and 12 assists, senior Leah Rose Seiden has caged 15 and added 10 helpers, junior Mia Ramirez has 11 goals and a team high 15 assists and sophomore Sarah Cate Walker has 15 goals.
Ridge has been led by senior Jenna Narleski with 21 goals and 23 assists, senior Sana Halthore has 18 goals and 10 assist. Senior Caroline Pravda has 12 assists.
The Red Devils last won a sectional title in 2019, and they, like Princeton, have been a premier program for many years.
Both teams come into the game with a sold resume. Ridge has won 12-of-13 and Princeton 8-of-9. Both are playing their best hockey of the season.
“I’ve never been to a sectional final, so it’s pretty cool,” said Keegan. “We are so excited. We are a tight group and for us seniors we just want to leave it all out on the field and keep going with each other.”