EMERGING FORCE: Princeton High boys’ soccer player Jurriaan Dijkgraaf chases down the ball last Saturday in PHS’s 3-2 win over Ewing. Senior Dijkgraaf scored two goals in the game as PHS improved to 6-0. The Little Tigers play at Lawrence on September 30. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Jurriaan Dijkgraaf and the Princeton High boys’ soccer team appeared to be on cruise control as they jumped out to a 2-0 lead over Ewing last Saturday.

“We got off to a good start,” said senior midfielder Dijkgraaf. “We got a quick goal from Nick Halliday, that was a really good goal. Then I got a goal. We felt like the game was in lockdown. We had a good feeling going into halftime.”

The Little Tigers, though, weren’t feeling so great in the second half as Ewing scored to cut their lead to one goal.

“A 2-0 lead is a really dangerous lead in soccer,” said Dijkgraaf. “You feel like you got this and then they score and it is oh god.”

Dijkgraff scored a second goal on the day to give PHS some breathing room. “That was a really good ball from Chase Ealy,” said Dijkgraaf, recalling the goal. “The defender got a touch on it and then I could just slot it in.”

That tally turned out be the game-winner as Ewing scored on a penalty kick to make it a 3-2 game and nearly tied the game up in the waning moments as a header off a set piece went just wide.

“This was a really scary game,” said Dijkgraaf, reflecting on the victory, which improved PHS to 6-0. “I was scared on the last corner.

Dijkgraaf has turned a corner this season, emerging as a star player this fall after being part of the supporting cast in 2013.

“I changed position this year, I am playing on the left,” said Dijkgraaf.

“I used to play all the way up top, next to Chase. It is hard being a striker sometimes and not being able to go back and get that ball. I like being able to do both. I just try to go hard and give it my all.”

PHS head coach Wayne Sutcliffe likes the work he is getting from Dijkgraaf.

“Jurriaan is finding the net, he’s a tireless worker,” said Sutcliffe. “He works hard, he is either one or two in all of our fitness tests. He gives us some energy that other guys can’t give us. He’s got to keep working and get better but it has been great to see him finding the score sheet.”

Senior co-captain Chase Ealy has been giving PHS energy and offensive production.

“Chase is a tireless worker, he has been a great captain,” said Sutcliffe. “His versatility is great. He has been scoring, he has been finding the final pass to the next guy. His work rate during the game, nobody works harder. The best news is that he is going to keep getting better.”

While Sutcliffe acknowledged that the second half wasn’t one of his team’s better stretches of play this fall, he liked the way his players persevered.

“It is good to have some challenges in games as long as you can come out on top, learning while you are winning,” said Sutcliffe.

“Credit to Ewing, they found a  way to make it hard on us. Fortunately we found a way to respond. These are the little tests that you have to pass. Every game we have been in this season has been like that. We have been challenged at one point or another by every opponent this year. That is the only way you can grow and get better as a team.”

Sutcliffe believes PHS is growing into something special. “I think the spirit and the chemistry of the team is great, that matters most in the tournaments,” asserted Sutcliffe.

“We are seeing some evidence of last year’s experience. I am happy with the work rate of the team, the camaraderie, the competitiveness, and the fact that we are so deep. We couldn’t ask for anything more. We are totally pleased with their effort and their open-mindedness and willingness to learn and get better. We can capture the biggest prizes in New Jersey soccer if we keep getting better and trusting one another.”

Dijkgraaf, for his part, believes the team’s good chemistry could make the difference as the fall unfolds.

“We just want to keep winning,” said Dijkgraaf. “This team is really close. There is no gap between age groups. It is a really good feeling. I think we are just closer than last year. I think that will help us.”