QUICK LEARNER: Stuart Country Day School field hockey player Emily Ix dribbles the ball in a game earlier this season. Junior Ix, who took up field hockey this year after playing tennis the last two falls, has emerged as a scoring threat for Stuart. Last Wednesday, Ix tallied two goals to help the sixth-seeded Tartans top 11th-seeded WW/P-S 4-1 in the opening round of the Mercer County Tournament. Stuart, which fell 3-2 to Princeton Day School in the MCT quarters last Friday to move to 10-3-2, will continue postseason play when it hosts a state Prep B semifinal contest on October 22. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Emily Ix spent her first two falls at Stuart Country Day School playing tennis.

This year, however, junior Ix decided to make a change and joined the Stuart field hockey program.

“I love tennis and I really love team sports,” said Ix, who stars for the Stuart lacrosse team in the spring, having scored a team-high 37 goals in the 2021 campaign.

“A lot of my friends play field hockey and I love Miss Bruvik [field hockey head coach Missy Bruvik]. I got a lot out of tennis and I feel like a lot of my game in tennis translates to my game in field hockey so that has been really helpful.”

It hasn’t taken Ix long to develop a comfort level in her new sport.

“When I first started playing, the rules were a little different,” said Ix.

“My dribbling and stick skills have improved a lot. Lacrosse is my main sport probably and a lot of the same girls play lacrosse so I was able to fit right in. It has been great with the team.” more

AMAZING GRACE: Princeton High field hockey player Grace Rebak, left, controls the ball last Friday against Lawrence High. Senior star defender Rebak helped spearhead the back line as PHS edged Lawrence 3-2 in showdown of powerhouses. The Tigers, who improved to 11-0 with the win, are next in action when they compete in the Mercer County Tournament. PHS is seeded second in the MCT and hosts No. 15 Hamilton West in an opening round contest on October 13. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

In 2020, the Princeton High field hockey team brought an undefeated record into its clash with Lawrence High and came away with a stinging 7-1 defeat.

Last Friday in the rematch of powerhouses, PHS found itself in a similar position, coming into the matchup at 10-0 and having not allowed a goal all fall as it girded for the showdown with 11-1 Lawrence.

This time, though, PHS was determined to produce a different result.

“We were coming out very hungry from last year; we just wanted redemption, we talked about last year’s game all of the time,” said PHS star senior defender and co-captain Grace Rebak.

“We were just ready for this, we were ready for the competition in defense. I wanted to feel the pressure, I wanted to go up against a really good offense so I was super excited going into it. I think our entire squad was really excited going into it.” more

SECOND CHANCE: Princeton High girls’ tennis player Bella Lependorf hits a backhand last Thursday against Hightstown in the Central Jersey Group 3 sectional semifinals. Senior Lependorf posted a 6-0, 6-0 win over Diana Kalajdzic to help the third-seeded Tigers edge the second-seeded Rams 3-2.Lependorf had opened the season by losing a three-setter against the Rams as PHS dropped a 3-2 nail-biter to Hightstown. The Tigers, who improved to 7-1 with the victory, were slated to play at top-seeded WW/P-North in the sectional final on October 12 with the victor advancing to the state Group 3 semis on October 14 at Mercer County Park. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Bella Lependorf was primed to make the difference as the Princeton High girls’ tennis team faced Hightstown in the Central Jersey Group 3 sectional semifinals last Thursday.

Senior star Lependorf opened the season by losing a three-setter at second singles to Diana Kalajdzic against the Rams as PHS dropped a 3-2 nail-biter to Hightstown on September 8.

As Lependorf hit the court, she was looking for redemption from the opening day loss.

“I think last time I kind of let my emotions get the best of me,” said Lependorf.

“I was a little nervous because it was our first match. This time I tried to stay calm because I know that kind of ruined it for me last time.”

Lependorf succeeded in turning the tables, posting a 6-0, 6-0 win over Kalajdzic as third-seeded PHS prevailed 3-2 over the second-seeded Rams and improved to 7-1, advancing to play at top-seeded WW/P-North in the sectional final on October 12. The victor of that match will play in the state Group 3 semis on October 14 at Mercer County Park.

“I tried to get my first serve percentage higher,” said Lependorf. “I was making a lot of serve errors last time so I wanted to make sure that I fix that this time. It definitely made the difference.”

For Lependorf, making the difference as PHS reached the sectional final in her senior campaign was extra special.

“I was really hoping that this would happen in my senior year because I have been working so hard the last three years. and we always make it to the semis,” said Lependorf. more

THE JAX SHOW: Princeton High football senior star Jaxon Petrone gets ready to throw a pass in a game earlier this season. Last Saturday against visiting Robbinsville, quarterback/safety Petrone had a busy day passing for 172 yards and making several crunching tackles in the secondary. Petrone’s efforts weren’t enough as PHS fell 30-7 to the Ravens. The Tigers, now 1-5, host Camden Catholic (4-2) on October 15 under the lights for Homecoming. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Jaxon Petrone is ready to do whatever he can to help the Princeton High football team.

After PHS hosted Robbinsville last Saturday, Petrone kept contributing, picking up pylons in the end zone to clean up the field.

Earlier in the day, senior quarterback/safety Petrone was busy on the field, hitting on 15-of 25 passes for 172 yards and making several crunching tackles in the secondary.

Petrone’s efforts, though, weren’t enough as the Tigers fell 30-7 to Robbinsville and dropped to 1-5.

In the early stages, PHS hung tough against the Ravens, battling back from a 10-0 deficit, going on a 7-play, 65-yard scoring march late in the second quarter. A 42-yard pass from Petrone to Jaiden Johnson got the Tigers to the Robbinsville six-yard line and then two plays later Jason Ling scored on a 3-yard TD run as PHS narrowed the gap to 10-7 at intermission.

“The pass to Jaiden was great,” said Petrone. “We had a lot of momentum going in at halftime.” more

GOAL-ORIENTED: Princeton Day School girls’ soccer player Grace Romano goes after the ball in a 2020 game. Last Wednesday, junior striker Romano tallied two goals to help PDS defeat Pingry 3-1. A day later, Romano chipped in a goal to help the Panthers defeat Gill St. Bernard’s 3-1 in the opening round of the state Prep B tournament. PDS, now 7-2-2, plays at Newark Academy on October 16 and then hosts Hopewell Valley on October 18. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Grace Romano proved to be in the right place at the right time for the Princeton Day School girls’ soccer team as it hosted the Pingry School last Wednesday.

Less than 30 seconds into the contest, junior striker Romano converted a miscue by the Pingry goalie into a goal, swooping in on a bobble and slotting it into the back of the net.

Then with PDS clinging to a 2-1 lead in the waning minutes of the second half, Romano raced into the box and volleyed a ball over the head of the keeper to seal the deal as the Panthers prevailed 3-1.

“I think that really got our momentum started,” said Romano

“I thought she had it and then I turn around and see it rolling and I was, I have got to get to that.”

While the Panthers built a 2-0 lead at halftime as Abby Weed also found the back of the net, PDS wasn’t quite in synch.

“I think halftime really brought us back together,” said Romano. more

By Bill Alden

Making its debut in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Non-Public A sectional, the Princeton Day School girls’ tennis team is leaving quite a first impression.

Seeded fourth, PDS defeated fifth-seeded Red Bank Catholic 5-0 in the sectional quarters on October 5. Two days later, the Panthers upset top-seeded Donovan Catholic 4-1 in the semis.

With PDS having joined the NJSIAA starting with the 2021-22 school year, the squad was fired up to test itself in the sectional.

“It is a first for us,” said Panther head coach Michael Augsberger, whose team is slated to play at second-seeded Trinity Hall on October 12 in the sectional final with the victor advancing to state Group semis on October 14 at Mercer County Park. “We really were excited for it.”

Augsberger was excited by how his first singles player, junior Neha Khandkar, battled in her 7-6, 7-6 win over Peiyi Liu of Red Bank Catholic.

“The No. 1 match was the best tennis match I have ever seen ever coaching tennis in my career,” said Augsberger.

“It was incredibly cerebral tennis. They were asking really deep questions of each other with a lot of short angles, a lot of smart shots and thinking. I loved it. I sat there with the other coach so I could get a better angle to watch behind the baseline with their team. It was just a joy.” more

HEADING THE DEPARTMENT: Evan Moorhead, center, poses with Ben Stentz, left, and Vikki Caines at the Community Park Pool. Moorhead has succeeded Stentz as the executive director of the Princeton Recreation Department, taking the helm this July when Stentz left to pursue other opportunities. Moorhead is well-prepared for his new role, having served as the assistant recreation director for the department since 2011 and in a variety of other part-time roles since the 1990s. (Photo provided by the Princeton Recreation Department)

By Bill Alden

When Evan Moorhead got his first job at the Community Park tennis courts working for the Princeton Recreation Department in 1990, he never envisioned that he would someday be running the department.

Over the years, Moorhead has worn many hats for the Rec Department, including managing the CP Pool, running the Summer Men’s Hoops League and the Dillon Hoops league, and coaching in the boys’ hoops league while working full-time at Bloomberg and then running Dillon Gym.

Moorhead, a former Princeton High boys’ hoops player, started working full-time for the Rec Department as an assistant director in 2011 when his close friend and former PHS teammate Ben Stentz became the executive director.

Earlier this year when Stentz announced he was stepping down to pursue other opportunities, Moorhead put his hat in the ring to succeed his friend and was chosen by the Recreation Commission as the new executive director, taking the helm in July.

“It was bittersweet for me, I was completely excited and thrilled to be given the opportunity,” said the easy-going, affable Moorhead, 47, who lives in town with his wife, Dana Hughes Moorhead, a third-generation Princetonian, and their daughter, Eme Moorhead, age 9.

“But at the same time it meant I would no longer be working day to day with a colleague I really respected and a friend who I have known since I was 10 years old. I felt ready but there is a little bit of nerves. It is a big job. Ben left very big shoes to fill here at PRD, as did Don Barr and Jack Roberts prior to that. I’m following in the footsteps of three New Jersey Parks and Recreation legends.” more

MEMORABLE DEBUT: Princeton University men’s soccer player Malik Pinto controls the ball in a game earlier this season. Last Saturday, sophomore midfielder Pinto made a sensational Ivy League debut, tallying two goals, including the game-winner, as Princeton edged Dartmouth 3-2 in overtime in the Ivy opener for both teams. The Tigers, now 4-4 overall and 1-0 Ivy, play at Temple on October 6 and at Brown on October 9. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

In recent years, the Princeton University men’s soccer team has struggled in its rivalry with Dartmouth.

Coming into the clash last Saturday against the Big Green, the Ivy League opener for both teams, Princeton was mired in a six-game winless skid in the series.

Even though Dartmouth entered the game with a 0-6 record, Princeton head coach Jim Barlow knew that his team was in for a battle.

“We have really struggled against Dartmouth over the last several seasons,” said Barlow.

“It was a little different because they struggled to get results early. It was misleading because they had played all six of their games away and they had played four teams in the top 25.”

Princeton came out firing early against the Big Green, jumping out to a 1-0 lead on a goal by Walker Gillespie 9:32 into the contest. The Tigers doubled the lead early in the second half on a goal by sophomore midfielder Malik Pinto. more

ON THE BALL: Princeton High boys’ soccer player Richard Wegmann, center, dribbles the ball around a defender in recent action. Last Thursday, junior striker Wegmann tallied two goals to help PHS defeat Hamilton West 6-0. The Tigers, who fell 5-2 to Pingry School last Saturday to move to 6-1-1, play at Lawrence High on October 7 before hosting Notre Dame on October 12. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Even though the Princeton High boys’ soccer team led Hamilton West 2-0 at halftime last week, Richard Wegmann realized that a win wasn’t guaranteed.

“We knew that 2-0, the game is not done yet,” said PHS junior striker Wegmann. “We came out and we were ready to put it away.”

Wegmann helped put the game away for the Tigers, scoring two goals in the first 10 minutes of the second half as PHS pulled away to a 6-0 triumph in the September 28 contest and improved to 5-0-1.

His first tally came 2:33 into the half on a feed from senior star Nico Carusone.

“It was great pass from Nico, my striking partner,” said Wegmann.

“It is a real pleasure to play with him, he is great. He gave me a great ball and I just had to put it in.”

Wegmann found the back of the net eight minutes later, slotting in a feed from Cooper Ealy.

“It was another good through ball, we have been working on that connection with the midfield and it came through there,” said Wegmann.

“I had a little bit of space and I had to stick it towards goal and one of the touches was going to put it in.” more

SOMETHING TO CELEBRATE: Princeton High girls’ soccer player Megan Rougas, center, celebrates after a goal. Senior striker Rougas is having a big final campaign as PHS has gotten off to a 7-0 start. The Tigers, who have scored 35 goals and given up just one in their first seven games, will look to keep rolling when they host Lawrence on October 7 and Ewing on October 8 before playing at Notre Dame on October 12. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Megan Rougas sensed early on this fall that the Princeton High girls’ soccer team could enjoy a special season.

“We have a really great team; this is my senior year and I want to go out as strong as I came in,” said Rougas.

“I am really, really happy to have this team. We just work so well together. We have been doing a lot of team bonding and chemistry. I think that has definitely helped us on the field.”

Last Thursday, PHS looked like a dominant team as it defeated Hightstown 6-0, jumping out to a 4-0 lead midway through the first half and never looking back as it improved to 6-0.

“We came into it with such a positive mindset,” said Rougas.

“Having so many shutouts and working so well as a team had really pushed us and motivated us. You would think that we’d plateau but we didn’t. We just keep going.”

Rougas got the rout going, tallying the first goal of the day five minutes into the contest on an assist from classmate and close friend Sophia Lis.

“It was all Sophia, I have to say,” said Rougas. “She really took it up the field, I just tapped it in. It was a team effort.”

The bond between Rougas and the Lehigh-bound Lis has helped fuel the hot start by the Tigers as they outscored foes 33-0 through their first six games. more

COMING THROUGH: Princeton Day School field hockey player Tessa Caputo, right, goes after the ball in a game earlier this season. Last Wednesday, sophomore standout Caputo tallied the winning goal as PDS overcame a 1-0 deficit to defeat Notre Dame 2-1. The Panthers, who fell 3-2 to Blair Academy last Saturday to move to 7-3, host Morristown-Beard on October 5 and Springside-Chestnut Hill (Pa.) on October 8 before playing at Hopewell Valley on October 11. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Tessa Caputo felt lost at times last fall in her freshman season for the Princeton Day School field hockey team.

“Last year was my second year playing field hockey, lacrosse is my main sport,” said Caputo, who led the PDS girls’ lax team in goals (42) and points (59) this past spring. “I honestly had no idea what I was doing last year.”

Caputo utilized some of her lax skills to develop a comfort level in field hockey.

“It is definitely hard to balance lacrosse and field hockey,” said Caputo.

“I really can see myself transferring some skills from lacrosse onto the field.”

Last Wednesday, Caputo displayed her finishing skill in scoring the winning goal early in the fourth quarter as PDS rallied from a 1-0 deficit against Notre Dame to pull out a 2-1 win.

“It is stressful being in that situation, it is kind of scary,” said Caputo, who got loose in the circle and was one-on-one with the Irish goalie as she fired her clutch shot. more

HEADS UP PLAY: Hun School girls’ soccer player Kiki Mauer, right, heads the ball in recent action. Senior standout Mauer has shored up the back line, having big games at center back last week as the Raiders topped Pennington 1-0 on September 28 and then blanked Germantown Academy (Pa.) 1-0 last Friday. Hun, which improved to 6-1-1 with the win over Germantown, is slated to host Villa Joseph Marie High (Pa.) on October 7 and Blair Academy on October 9. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Kiki Mauer is naturally an attacking midfielder but she has moved to the back line for the Hun School girls’ soccer team this season by necessity.

“I started out very offensive but then the team needed me so I stepped in at center back,” said senior co-captain Mauer.

“I have never played it. I play offensive midfield for my club team [YMS-Yardley Makefield Soccer].”

Mauer has formed a connection with junior Tooni Olaleye as they have both adjusted to assuming key defensive roles.

“We have a great, phenomenal partnership back there,” said Mauer.

“Working with Tooni, she makes it so easy for me. We make it easy for each other. We are learning it together because Tooni has never played center back either.”

The pair displayed how well they have learned those lessons, spearheading a 1-0 breakthrough win over perennial powerhouse Pennington on September 28.

“We came out strong and we came out with confidence,” said Mauer, reflecting on the victory which was Hun’s first win over the Red Raiders since topping them in the 2014 Prep A state title game. “We knew we could do it and we did it.” more

ENCORE PERFORMANCE: The Princeton High girls’ tennis first doubles team of Lucia Marckioni, left, and Sophia Kim enjoy the moment in a 2020 match. Last Wednesday, seniors Marckioni and Kim won the first doubles title at the Mercer County Tournament for the second time. Their heroics helped PHS place fourth in the team standings at the event. In upcoming action, the Tigers have a home match with Notre Dame on September 30 before starting play in the Central Jersey Group 3 sectional where they are seeded third and host sixth-seeded Colts Neck in the quarterfinals on October 5. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Lucia Marckioni and Sophia Kim have forged a historic partnership at doubles for the Princeton High girls’ tennis program.

The pair were teamed together as freshmen in 2018 to play doubles for the PHS JV squad.

A year later, they moved up to varsity and earned the first doubles spot. Wasting no time proving how formidable they were, Marckioni and Kim won the title in their event at the Mercer County Tournament.

Last fall, they stayed together and went undefeated but were unable to defend their MCT crown as the event was canceled due to COVID-19 concerns.

Competing in the county tourney last week at the Mercer County Park tennis complex, Marckioni and Kim finally got the chance to win another MCT title and they came through in dominant fashion. They posted four straight-set wins on the way to the crown, including a 6-3, 6-3 win over Sabrina Chang and Kirthi Chigurupati of WW/P-North in the final.

In the view of Marckioni, getting the second MCT title was worth the wait.

“It feels amazing, we feel like it is well deserved,” said Marckioni of the title which helped PHS place fourth in the team standings at the event won by WW/P-South.

“It was unfortunate last year we couldn’t have it to win. This year just means that much more.” more

SUDDEN IMPACT: Princeton High girls’ volleyball player Sarah Villamil returns the ball last Thursday against Notre Dame. With junior transfer Villamil coming up with a match-high nine kills, PHS defeated Notre Dame 2-0 (27-25, 25-20). The Tigers, who defeated WW/P-South 2-0 (25-23, 25-15) last Monday to improve to 6-3, host Lawrenceville School on September 30, play at Florence on October 2 and then host Hopewell Valley on October 4. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Moving north from Florida, Sarah Villamil has found a home with the Princeton High girls’ volleyball team.

“We are all about having a positive mindset,” said PHS junior Villamil, who came to the Princeton area from Broward County in South Florida.

“It is about being ready and having the mindset that you are going to win and fighting for and getting it.”

Last Thursday, Villamil and PHS had a fight on their hands as they hosted Notre Dame. The Tigers jumped out to a 20-13 lead in the first set only to see the Irish battle back to make it 25-25.

“You can’t waste the energy that you have on being concerned,” said Villamil, reflecting on the Notre Dame rally.

“You have to waste it on getting the point and getting the win.”

Villamil ended up getting the winning point on a kill as PHS pulled out a 27-25 win.

“It just kind of happened,” said Villamil. “Once it happened, it was a crazy feeling, knowing that you did it.” more

ON TARGET: Princeton High quarterback Jaxon Petrone fires a pass in a game earlier this season. Last Friday, senior Petrone connected on 12-of-19 passes for 168 yards and a touchdown as PHS defeated Bishop Eustace 15-12. The Tigers, now 1-3, play at Audubon High (3-1) on October 2. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Even though his Princeton High football team lost 27-21 to Cherry Hill East on September 18 to fall to 0-3, Charlie Gallagher saw progress.

“We played much better I was very happy with what the guys did in the Cherry Hill game,” said PHS head coach Gallagher, whose senior quarterback Jaxon Petrone passed for 223 yards and two touchdowns in the defeat.

“Jaxon and the wide receivers are getting better. We are doing different schemes and getting everybody to mesh, including the coaches, so we are all on the same page.”

Things got even better last Friday night as PHS traveled south to Bishop Eustace and came away with a 15-12 win.

The Tigers jumped out to a 15-0 lead in the second quarter as Everaldo Servil scored on a TD pass from Petrone and Tyler Goldberg added a second touchdown on a three-yard run. Bishop Eustace responded with a late score in the second quarter. The Crusaders added another TD in the fourth quarter but the PHS was able to run out the clock to earn the win.

Gallagher tipped his hat to his defense which held the fort in the second half. more

WILLING TO FIGHT: Princeton Day School boys’ soccer player William Vasquez, right, battles a WW/P-South player for the ball last Friday. Senior forward Vasquez tallied a goal and an assist to help PDS prevail 4-1. The Panthers, who fell 3-2 to WW/P-North last Monday to drop to 3-4, hosts Peddie School on September 29, Blair Academy on October 2, and Pingry School on October 5. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

William Vasquez ran to the sidelines with a bloody nose last Friday as the Princeton Day School boys’ soccer team hosted WW/P-South.

But the PDS senior star cracked a smile as he got treated, having just scored a goal to give the Panthers a 2-1 lead.

“I got a bloody nose when I was celebrating over there,” said Vasquez.

After nosing ahead of the Pirates, PDS never looked back on the way to a 4-1 win.

The Panthers controlled the second half, getting goals from Theo Capeilleries and Joaquin Rodriguez as they closed the deal.

“We had them on our half and once we scored that third goal, we kept going,” said Vasquez.

“We learned from past experiences that we can’t let up, even if it is 3-1 up or 4-1 up. We have to play like it is 0-0 every time.”

It did take a while for PDS to get going as it fell behind 1-0 three minutes into the contest.

“When we were down one-nil, we just had to keep our heads up and keep going,” said Vasquez. “Once we got that first goal, we started playing well.”

Vasquez helped the Panthers get that first goal, sending a ball into the box that Todd Devin headed into the back of the net with 19:11 left in the half.

“I think Milan [Shah] had a great play on that,” said Vasquez. “He fed it to me and I saw Todd on the far post. I had to give it to him.” more

KRIS-CROSS: Princeton Day School girls’ tennis player Kristina Wang prepares to hit a backhand last week at the Mercer County Tournament. Sophomore Wang placed third at second singles in the event, helping PDS tie for sixth overall with Lawrence High in the team standings. In upcoming action, the Panthers have a match at WW/P-South on September 29 before starting play in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Non-Public A South sectional where it is seeded fourth and will host fifth-seeded Red Bank Catholic in a quarterfinal match on October 5. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Coming into the Mercer County Tournament last week, the Princeton Day School girls’ tennis team wasn’t battle-tested.

Due to rainouts and the tournament being held earlier in September than in past years, PDS had only played two matches before hitting the courts at the Mercer County Park tennis complex.

The Panthers made up for some lost time, seeing plenty of action at the two-day event, highlighted by sophomore Kristina Wang placing third at second singles and the pair of Ashlyn Du and junior Sophie Zhang taking fourth at first doubles.

“I love playing as many matches as you can,” said PDS head coach Michael Augsberger, whose squad ended up tied for sixth overall with Lawrence High in the team standings at the event won by WW/P-South.

“We were at the U.S. Open on the first day, we went up as a team for a bonding experience. This reminds me of that, obviously on a smaller scale, with the excitement, everyone rooting for each other and being all over the grounds. They love it.”

Wang appears to have an exciting future at singles.

“She is such a grinder, she plays marathon matches,” said Augsberger of Wang, who posted a 6-2, 6-1 win over Hun’s Sabrina Wang in the third place match. more

FIRST QUALITY: Hun School girls’ tennis player Amanda Francis rips a forehand last Wednesday in the girls’ first singles final at the Mercer County Tournament. Junior star Francis ended up falling 7-5, 6-4 to Leticia Kitio of Lawrence High in the match. The run by Francis to the final helped Hun finish third in the team standings at the event. In upcoming action, the Raiders have home matches against Pennington School on September 30 and Stuart Country Day on October 2 before playing at Princeton Day School on October 5. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Amanda Francis found herself in a bind as she played in the second set of the girls’ first singles semifinals at the Mercer County Tournament last Wednesday.

“I was down 2-5 in the second set so I really had to battle because I didn’t want it to go to a third set,” said Hun School junior Francis, reflecting on her match with Eva Lependorf of Princeton High at the Mercer County Park tennis complex.

“The first set I was really consistent; I played aggressive. In the second set, the girl really stepped up her level. I really needed to make sure that I competed hard as well.”

Francis rallied to pull out a 6-2, 7-5 win and earn a spot in the final against Leticia Kitio of Lawrence High.

Coming into the match, Francis realized she was in for a battle. more

STICKING WITH IT: Hun School field hockey player Nicole Schaefer controls the ball in recent action. Senior Schaefer scored a goal as Hun tied Stuart Country Day 1-1 last week. The Raiders, who lost 2-1 to Montgomery last Saturday to move to 2-4-1, play at Academy of the New Church (Pa.) on September 29 before hosting Pennington School on October 2. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Through the first four games of the 2021 season, the Hun School field hockey team had already shown progress from last year.

After going 1-6 in 2020, Hun got off to a 2-2 start, highlighted by defeating Conwell Egan (Pa.) 4-0 on September 13 and then topping Mercersburg Academy (Pa.) 8-0 five days later.

Last week, the Raiders took another step forward as they headed across town to battle local rival Stuart Country Day, earning a 1-1 tie in a thrilling, hard fought contest.

The foes were knotted in a scoreless tie at halftime in the September 21 game and then Hun took the lead midway through the third period on a goal by senior Nicole Schafer, assisted by classmate Ashley Jones.

Stuart responded with a tally by Isabel Milley minutes later and the game ended tied 1-1 at end of regulation. In a 10-minute overtime, both teams had scoring chances but the defenses held and the game ended in the stalemate.

“We have been working on winning the quarters, it was great that we won that one quarter when we put it in,” said Hun head coach Tracey Arndt.

“So now it is next steps. It was a great learning experience. We always say that you win or you learn. We learned from that. It was our first overtime game in a really long time, we had some nice runs.” more

FIRING AWAY: Stuart Country Day School field hockey player Kaitlyn Magnani hits the ball in a game earlier this season. Senior star midfielder Magnani picked up an assist as Stuart tied Hun 1-1 last week. The Tartans, who moved to 7-0-2 with a 0-0 tie against South Hunterdon last Monday, play at Blair Academy on September 29 before hosting the Solebury School (Pa.) on October 4. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Kaitlyn Magnani wasn’t fazed when the Stuart Country Day School field hockey team fell behind Hun 1-0 in the third period last week in the clash of local rivals.

“In our game against PDS (a 4-1 win on September 15), we were down 1-0 in the beginning and right away we scored back,” said Stuart senior midfielder Magnani. “I had confidence in my team that we could come back.”

Minutes after the Hun tally, Magnani helped get Stuart come back in the September 21 contest, feeding Isabel Milley for the tying goal.

“Isabel is our great wing, she is always in great space,” said Magnani.  “I just sent it right to her and she had a great backhand.”

That ended up being the last goal of the contest as the teams played to a 1-1 tie through regulation and 10 minutes of overtime.

“They had a really great goalie [Norah Kempson] who was coming out pretty far and that really gave us a challenge,” said Magnani.

“We had a lot of intensity and I think we had some great shots but again their defense was very good. We gave it our all.” more

HIGH FIVE: Princeton High field hockey player Olivia Weir controls the ball against WW/P-South last Friday. Senior star and Rutgers-bound Weir tallied five goals in the contest to help PHS prevail 7-0 and improve to 3-0. The Tigers host Steinert on September 22 before playing at Hamilton West on September 24 and at Hightstown on September 27. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Olivia Weir and her teammates on the Princeton High field hockey team were determined to set the tone early as they hosted WW/P-South last Friday.

“We made it a pact from the beginning that we were going to come out with intensity and we wanted to be first to every ball,” said senior star and Rutgers-bound Weir, a native of South Africa.

“We wanted to put goals on the scoreboard soon on and we did that. We played well as a team. We were working together, we came together and we executed our goals.”

PHS achieved that goal as Weir and fellow senior Erin Cooke each found the back of the cage in the first 10 minutes of the contest and PHS never looked back, rolling to a 7-0 win and improving to 3-0.

“We are trying to do a lot of passing and working together because that is how we are able to beat defenders,” said Weir.

“It is also just talking. That is what we have really been focusing on, communicating and just building that team chemistry.”

In Weir’s view, PHS has developed that special chemistry. “We have been playing throughout the summer which has been great,” said Weir. “I think we are really a strong-knit group of girls.”

While Weir is the squad’s go-to finisher, having tallied 12 goals in the Tigers’ first three outings, she sees her scoring prowess as a group effort. more

MAKING HAY: Hun School girls’ soccer player Riley Hayes goes after the ball against Princeton Day School last Wednesday. Hayes scored a late goal in the contest as Hun rallied from a 2-0 halftime deficit to pull out a 2-2 tie. On Saturday, junior midfielder Hayes tallied three goals to help the Raiders defeat Mercersburg Academy (Pa.) and improve to 2-1-1. Hun plays at the George School (Pa.) on September 22 before hosting WW/P-South on September 25. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

With the Hun School girls’ soccer team trailing Princeton Day School 2-0 at halftime last Wednesday, it had reason to be discouraged.

After all, Hun fell 6-1 and 6-0 to PDS in two meetings last fall in an abbreviated season which saw the Raiders go 0-4-1.

But Hun head coach Jenn Barrett urged her players to keep pressing forward as she spoke to them at halftime.

“We came out a little tentative and we told them how much they should believe in each other, play with confidence, play our game, pass around, and don’t panic,” said Barrett.

“The 2-0 lead is the most dangerous lead in soccer. I said the next goal is going to determine this game and we are going to get it.”

Taking Barrett’s message to heart, Hun tallied a pair of unanswered goals to pull out a 2-2 draw in the clash of local rivals.

Five minutes into the second half, the Raiders got their first goal when Mackenzie Turner converted a sweet feed from Tessa Falcone.

“It was all hard work and grit with the fight from Mackenzie and the fight from Olivia,” said Barrett. more