RIDING HIGH: Princeton Day School boys’ lacrosse player Ryder Ewanchyna controls the ball in recent action. Freshman midfielder Ewanchyna has helped PDS get off to a 2-1 start under new head coach Dave Donahue. In upcoming action, the Panthers play at WW/P-South on April 23 and at Robbinsville on April 28. (Photo by Frank Jacobs III)

By Bill Alden

As the Princeton Day School boys’ lacrosse team started its 2026 campaign by hosting Hightstown, things looked dicey for the Panthers.

“It was scary, five minutes into the game and we were down 5-0,” said PDS first-year head coach Dave Donahue. “We hadn’t had a scrimmage so this was the first time we were able to do anything against an outside team. It really took us the whole first quarter to just get our game attitude on.”

The Panthers showed their game as they rallied to a 12-11 overtime victory, outscoring the Rams 8-5 in the second half to force the extra session in the April 2 contest.

“It was huge, we had a team dinner last night in the Athletic Center and I had on my phone a video that a parent had sent me of the fast break that facilitated the winning goal,” said Donahue of the OT tally scored by Landon Lewis. “I was showing it to the boys and they were pretty pumped up to see that.”

Six days later, PDS improved to 2-0 with a 12-5 win over WW/P-North as it produced a stifling defensive effort and was able to give its reserves the chance to get some valuable playing time.

“When we played North we were winning 6-1 at the end of the first quarter and we had them 10-2 at the half,” said Donahue. “At halftime, I said to my team, guys you will not score a goal unless it is an assisted goal and by the way we were putting every freshman and sophomore into the game starting that second half.”

Last Wednesday, the Panthers suffered their first defeat of the season as they fell 12-4 to Allentown.

“It was 90 degrees and we won two out of 20 faceoffs, so we barely had the ball,” said Donahue. “At the end of the first quarter, our defense was gassed. We probably had the ball a minute and half out of 12 minutes in the first quarter. I was incredibly proud of them because even though we lost, our defense played really well.”

Junior goalie Marshall Matyszczak played extremely well as he made 22 saves in the loss.

“Marshall was incredibly calm, incredibly courageous,” said Donahue. “I could hear his voice from the sideline; we primarily played a zone defense and he was calling out where people should be. When you hear a 16-year-old boy taking charge of the defense, it is really impressive. He made some spectacular saves. He came out and stuffed guys stick-on-stick at the edge of the crease.”

Donahue believes his players are raising their level of play. “I told the boys each time we play, we want to individually get a little better and as a team we want to get a little better,” said Donahue. “We have been getting better.”

Based on feedback from some parents, Donahue senses that there is a better environment around this squad this spring than in the past.

“They said there is a different dynamic with his team and they all enjoy each other’s company,” said Donahue. “I think chemistry is half the game.”

Freshman midfielder Ryder Ewanchyna has emerged as a dynamic performer for the Panthers.

“I would say right now, the best player on our team is Ryder,” said Donahue. “He can do everything, he can play shortstick middie, he can play offense. When we need the ball cleared in a tight situation, we give the ball to him.”

A pair of juniors, Tyler Nevrotski and Drew Picker, have spearheaded the defense.

“Tyler and Drew are great to coach and they have great attitudes,” said Donahue, whose offense has been sparked by juniors Lewis and Krystian Rzeczycki as they have each tallied six goals and four assists. “They have superlative hand-eye coordination. They have great skills.”

With PDS playing at WW/P-South on April 23 and at Robbinsville on April 28, Donahue is encouraging his players to focus on having a great time on the field.

“I want the kids at the end of the year to say wow this was fun, I am going to play next year,” said Donahue. “Right now, they are buying into it.”