Raiders frustrate Panthers

Trent leads Hun lacrosse defense

By: Justin Feil
   With its second back-to-back game in two weeks, the Hun boys’ lacrosse team wasn’t sure how it would react against Princeton Day School the day after an emotional comeback win over Hill.
   "We played a good game (Tuesday)," said Hun head coach Eric Kemp of his squad’s 10-9 win at Hill. "For us to beat Hill yesterday when we hadn’t beaten them in four or five years is a significant victory for our school and our program. To be down, 6-1, and we didn’t get the lead until the final goal, it’s a big step for the program.
   "We lost to Princeton High School last week in a game that was close," he added. "We really struggled the next day (in a 9-8 win over Blair). We only have 21 players in the program, so two weeks with back-to-back games is tough."
   Luckily, the Raiders had an extra jolt of adrenaline because the game was being played under the lights at Princeton University’s Class of 1952 Stadium in their 10-7 win Wednesday.
   "Playing here at night," Kemp said, "they really enjoy it. It’s great that the university allows us to play here and it’s going for a great cause."
   With another $1,000 raised to go to the Miami Project for spinal cord injury research in honor of paralyzed former Hun player Chris Heinel, the boys took to the field shortly after the conclusion of the girls’ game.
   After the third goal of the game by PDS’ Russell Joye cut Hun’s lead to 5-4 with 2:09 left in the first quarter, the Raiders offense outscored PDS, 5-1, over the next two quarters for a 10-5 lead. The defense, led by Zach Trent, did the rest in holding off the Panthers for their third straight to improve to 4-2 this season.
   "This was special because it was my senior year," said Trent, a longstick midfielder. "This is my fourth year playing here. This is the third straight year we’ve won.
   "I was a little nervous early. I think we struggled a little early but pulled it together early in the first half."
   At the defensive end, it was Trent in particular who made holding onto a ball an adventure for PDS’ attack. Trent nearly forced a dozen ground balls with his constant pressure.
   "We put in a ride that’s an aggressive ride, like a full-court press," Kemp said. "He’s the key player.
   "He’s physical. He put a lot of balls on the ground. He’s aggressive and he continues to get stronger. He’s a good defensive middie. He can move well and he is really aggressive. I thought that was the key."
   Trent, who will continue his playing career at Rutgers, was looking to use the PDS game to personally make up for an off day in Hun’s win over Hill, but didn’t want to give up his aggressive nature.
   "Yesterday, I had seven penalties," Trent said. "Coming off that it was a little hard. I had to come with a little more control. I was able to get into it.
   "Frustrating people, that’s what I do best. I can’t do it alone. It helps that Quartie Durell and Craig McGovern are shutting off their men and making mine go one-on-one. It’s a full defensive job."
   Behind that line of defense, Chris Giordano made 23 saves the day after making 29 saves against Hill. Hun is hoping to get an even better effort when they play at St. Joseph’s 4 p.m. today.
   "We’re still not playing up to our potential. We haven’t had our biggest games yet," said Trent, a West Windsor resident who’s particularly looking forward to facing West Windsor-Plainsboro North and South. "I’d love to get the Bianchi Division championship. We haven’t done that yet. I’ll do everything I can to get that. The way we’re going now, we’re on track to get to our potential."
   Princeton Day looks to rebound from Wednesday’s loss when it plays at Hopewell Valley 11 a.m. Saturday. The Panthers slipped to 2-3 with the loss to Hun.
   "I thought they were tremendously improved," Kemp said. "Pete (Higgins) has really done a great job. They played really well. I know they only won two games last year, but they really look improved."
   PDS was able to control almost every one of the face-offs, but the defensive pressure of Trent and the Raiders gave a quickly improving Hun offense the ball back repeatedly. Matt Loy led Hun with four goals while Alex Green added three goals as the Raiders put together wins on consecutive days.
   "There wasn’t any letdown today," Trent said. "Our attack picked it up. Matt Loy picked it up. Chris Giordano has played outstanding. He’s playing his position well. Alex Green hasn’t been scoring that much, but he scored some goals today. There was no letdown. That will help. We have a hard couple games coming up."
   With a convincing win Wednesday on the heels of a landmark victory Tuesday, the Hun boys’ lacrosse team is proving its tough to beat under any circumstances.