STICKING WITH IT: Princeton Day School girls’ hockey player Sammy Dandy swipes at the puck in a game earlier this season. Last Thursday, junior star defender Dandy scored a goal to help PDS defeat Pingry 6-2. The Panthers, who lost 1-0 to Morristown-Beard last Monday to move to 5-1, host Kent Place on January 14 and then play at Academy of New Church (Pa.) on January 20 at Bryn Athyn College. (Photo by Frank Jacobs III)

By Bill Alden

Although Sammy Dandy stars as a defender for the Princeton Day School girls’ hockey team, she has worked hard to make an impact at the other end of the ice.

“Throughout my high school career I have improved at being more offensive even though I play defense,” said junior star Dandy. “I realized that in high school hockey anyone can score. It doesn’t just have to be forward. I am definitely more offensive-minded.”

Last Thursday, Dandy scored a third period goal to cap a 6-2 win over Pingry as she converted a feed from older sister Brynn Dandy.

“We always find each other, even in field hockey,” said Dandy.

“It is a sister thing I guess, we always find each other on the ice.”

The Panthers needed the late goals to hold off a feisty Pingry that drew to within 3-2 early in the second period.

“We knew they were still going to put up a fight but we fought through it in the end,” said Dandy.

It was a good way for PDS to start 2026 as it hadn’t played since a 7-1 win over Chatham on December 18.

“We are really excited to get going,” said Dandy. “We have a really good team this year. We are definitely excited to kick the year off and win some games.”

Dandy has developed a good connection with freshman star Layla Klapak, who scored two goals in the win over Pingry.

“Me and Layla work really good together,” said Dandy, who has tallied 11 goals and four assists this season while Klapak has contributed nine goals and six assists. “She is a really good new addition to our team.”

Serving as an assistant captain this winter, Dandy has been working with other young players on the squad.

“I think because we are such a young team, I have taken a leadership role,” said Dandy. “We have so many new players, I try to help them out as much as I can because I have more experience.”

Dandy has continued to play a key role on defense even as she has piled up points.

“I always try to help our goalie (Kelly Stevens) out because sometimes we leave her out to dry,” said Dandy. “We only have three defensemen, it is kind of hard sometimes when you gave a long shift. You are tired. I try to block shots and get the puck to the corners.”

Despite having only 12 skaters, PDS has maintained its standard of play after winning the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) girls’ state title last winter.

“I am definitely impressed with our resilience because we have such a small bench,” said Dandy of the Panthers, who have started 5-1, suffering their lone loss of the season when they fell 1-0 to Morristown-Beard last Monday. “It is definitely impressive that we keep winning.”

Showing impressive athleticism, Dandy has also excelled in field hockey, leading the Panthers in scoring this past fall with 28 goals and six assists.

“It is pretty good, I do take priority in club hockey,” said Dandy. “Usually my coach makes changes if I have a conflict. When you play ice hockey, it is really easy to switch over.”

PDS co-head coach Jade Meier liked the way the squad started 2026 as it jumped out to a 3-0 lead over Pingry as Layla Sosner, Klapak, and Brynn Dandy each found the back of the net.

“We have had quite a few pretty long breaks since like mid-December so I think they were really excited to get going,” said Meier.

The game got a little too exciting for comfort as Pingry rallied to make it a 3-2 game.

“Our message between the periods is that we have to play defensively first and foremost,” said Meier. “I thought they really showed that, we changed that in the third period.”

Dandy showed her skills with her play at both ends of the ice.

“Sammy has been one of our best since her freshman year,” said Meier. “This year she is coming into a leadership role. She is one of our captains. We are really happy for her, she is coming into her own, especially in this high school landscape. It has been great to see.”

PDS is really happy to have Klapak join the squad. “She has been a great addition to the team and the program,” said Meier. “She has been great on the offensive side. She has a ton of speed. Her shot is unbelievable. She is a great team player. She has a lot of speed, she sees the game well.”

A pair of sophomores, Layla Sosner and Alexis Moslin, have given the team a lot along with some newcomers.

“Layla Sosner hasn’t had many points, she got a goal today,” said Meier. “I think she has been a great, great team player this year, regardless of what the points say. Alexis has been awesome as well. There have been some new girls to hockey, like Beatrix [Hoekzema], who have really stepped up and helped us a lot this year. We are so grateful to have them.”

In goal, senior standout Stevens is having another great season, having yielded only five goals so far this winter.

“She is a complete backstop for us, she is an absolute game changer,” said Meier. “We do leave her out to dry sometimes. The defenders do get a little tired there. They do their best to keep it close.”

Coming off the state championship campaign, the Panthers are on track for another stellar season.

“I definitely think there is some momentum there, it will be interesting to see how the rest of the season plays out,” said Meier, whose team hosts Kent Place on January 14 and then plays at Academy of New Church (Pa.) on January 20 at Bryn Athyn College. “We are feeling pretty good about ourselves. I think our offensive play has been great so far this year. We have had some pretty high scoring games so I think for us it is just focusing on some defensive aspects of the game.”

Dandy, for her part, believes that Panthers can achieve a title repeat.

“That is something we are definitely trying to do,” said Dandy.

“I think it will be hard because we have a bunch of new players. We are definitely a state contender, I think we can do it. We were really good last year, I don’t think we have decreased in talent. I think we are the same, if not better.”