CLEARING OUT: Princeton High girls’ lacrosse player Abaigeal Ryan, left, battles a foe in a game this season. Senior star and Temple-bound Ryan tallied two goals in a losing cause as PHS fell 20-7 to Clearview last week in the state Group 4 semifinals. The loss in the May 29 contest left the Little Tigers with a final record of 13-11. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Facing powerhouse Clearview in the state Group 4 semifinals last week, the Princeton High girls’ lacrosse team trailed 10-5 at halftime but knew the deficit wasn’t insurmountable.

A week earlier in the Central Jersey Group 4 sectional final, PHS fell behind Rancocas Valley 8-3 early in the second half only to reel off six unanswered goals to win 9-8 and book its place in the state semis.

But this time a rally wasn’t in the cards for the Little Tigers, as Clearview pulled away to a 20-7 win in the May 29 contest.

“We weren’t able to capitalize on a bunch of scoring opportunities that we had in the first half,” said PHS head coach Sara Doran, who got three goals and an assist from junior star Mariana Lopez-Ona in the loss with sophomore Eva Petrone and senior Abaigeal Ryan scoring two goals apiece.

“In the second half, we really struggled with the draw control and maintaining possession. We had very few draw control wins. We were just not able to gain possession. It is kind of what the game came down to. We knew they had a few really good girls; they performed really well and definitely earned the win.”

PHS, for its part, performed better and better as the spring went on, overcoming a 1-5 start to win the sectional title and end the season with a 13-11 record.

“We were going up against some strong competition early on,” said Doran.

“I think it worked in some ways to the girls’ advantage because they had that stronger competition right off the bat whereas in past years we have played easier teams and then it has been a little bit of a rude
awakening when we have come across a strong team. It made us mentally tough.”

Taking on the formidable foes also proved to be a bonding experience for squad. “It made us come together more as a team,” added Doran. “In general, the girls really grew over the course of the season from being a little more individual-minded to recognizing the importance of team play, communication, and trust.”

Doran credited the team’s four seniors, Sophia Navarrete, Abaigeal Ryan, Margaret Jacobs, and Kendall Lieberman with helping the Little Tigers come together. “They were great leaders; Sophia and Abaigeal were the captains, Margaret and Kendall have always been very positive and supportive,” said Doran.

“You always look to your seniors to set the tone on the team because all of the girls typically look up to them. They did a really good job of that, setting that positive and supportive tone. I think that all the girls felt supported by one another, and that really starts with the seniors.”

Looking ahead, Doran sees a positive future for the program. “It is exciting to recognize that it is a relatively young team that has played together for a few years,” said Doran, who will be welcoming back a formidable one-two punch of leading scorers Shaylah Marciano and Mariana Lopez-Ona, along with Kathryn DeMilt, Eva Petrone, Lauren Rougas, Shoshi Henderson, Lila Doran, and rapidly improving goalie Grace Reardon.

“To be ending the season with that level of familiarity and experience will work to our advantage next year.”