Siani’s move back helps PDS go forward

Defense keys Panthers’ fast start

By: Justin Feil
   Alicia Siani’s only initial reservation to moving back to defense for the Princeton Day School girls’ soccer team was her stature.
   "I’m not the tallest," Siani said. "Erin (Cook) is small too."
   So far, no one has come up bigger against the two who have moved back to sandwich center back Keely Langdon. The entirely new back line is off to a terrific start having shut out its first three opponents.
   "I’m so fortunate to have Keely and Erin with me," said Siani, a co-captain along with Langdon. "They handle the ball well. Our outside wings handle the ball really well too. It’s not like I have to do a lot. We’ve been able to control the ball and keep it and we’re not seeing the ball in the back as much as we used to."
   PDS followed up shutouts of Allentown and Rutgers Prep with a 4-0 win over George on Saturday. It sets the Panthers up to host today’s 4:15 game against Hun. They will play another Prep A foe Peddie on Thursday in what shapes up to be a big week.
   "I know Hun especially," Siani said. "I know some of the girls on the team. I know Lindsey Scott. I think we’ll be challenged more but we can handle it. Both of these schools are huge rivals for us. We lost on Hun’s turf three times in a row when we had beat them before. They’re cross-town rivals. We’re so excited.
   "I was on the same team with Lindsey Scott for eight years. I’m excited. I even wanted to go to Hun for a little while. So we’re excited for that one. We’re excited for every game because we’re so strong now. We haven’t let in any goals. We’re excited to be challenged, but we’re prepared."
   It has helped the Panthers that some of their top players have been so willing to be moved around. Last year, Siani played forward and in the midfield. But she didn’t hesitate in moving back to help the team.
   "It’s so key to the success of a team, to have kids that are soccer players and not just midfielders or strikers or left-side players," said PDS head coach Ted Harrington. "It’s so key to the success of the team. They’ll buy into what the coach and team feels is best for the team. I’ve been fortunate to have a number of players like that.
   "Alicia is playing well," he added. "She played center mid and some striker last year. She was more than capable of playing there again. We had a logjam of people there and needed some people to play in the back. She was a great team player. She made the move with a bit of excitement when we talked about it."
   Siani had never played defense before this season. It hasn’t taken her long to adjust to her new role.
   "It’s great," she said. "I love defense. Last year, I moved around a lot. I was at midfield and at striker. Defense is a position I feel very comfortable in."
   Siani, who had three assists last year, wasn’t afraid to give up the scoring chances that come with playing a more forward position. She’s happy to help limit opponents’ chances, but also hasn’t given up helping the Panthers score a few goals.
   "I had a lot of assists last year," said the Lawrenceville resident. "I didn’t score that much. I was talking to our assistant, Mr. (Howie) Powers, and he was saying, how many goals do we get from the back line this year? Keely came up big with a corner kick (Saturday). I hope to score a few goals. I hope to set some people up. I don’t have the best shot. I like to pass it off."
   The reason that the Panthers could afford to move some of their skilled players back to defense was a wealth of talent on offense. In Saturday’s win over George, four different players — Langdon, Ashley Chappo, Cammie Linville and Jacqui Bowen — all scored. Langdon also added two asssists.
   "We’re really playing patient possession soccer," Harrington said. "They’ve been patient bringing the ball forward. They all feel comfortable possessing the ball and moving it around the field and getting good shots."
   It will be a big key as the Panthers enter today’s game against Hun. PDS is looking to start 4-0 for the second straight season.
   "We have to be able to control the ball and control the tempo," Harrington said. "Also, it’s no secret, Scott and (Val) Patriarca are two dangerous players who we didn’t have an answer for last year. We’re going to have to keep the ball away from them and handle it when they get it. They will find ways to get them the ball.
   "We haven’t given up a goal in the regular season. Our defense is playing very well. To have Keely back there, she’s strong and solid. Alicia Siani, we moved her back there. She has good aggressiveness, good speed and can get up the field. Erin Cook has played really well in the back on the side. She’s very solid. She plays the position well too."
   Siani believes that the Panthers have the make-up to again contend for a prep title, as they did two years ago. PDS, after a 4-0 start last year, was beset by injuries. Siani herself missed some time with an ankle injury. PDS doesn’t have big numbers this year, but they do have the sort of talent spread from front to back to make them optimistic.
   "I think we definitely have a lot of speed, both in the back and up top," Siani said. "We’re moving the ball very quickly this year. We’re not relying on just a few players to score. We’re passing around and using our options more. We’re getting more comfortable using it. We have good chemistry playing together.
   "I think this team has a lot of chemistry. Everyone gets along well. I enjoy playing with these girls a lot."
   And PDS enjoys having a solid leader in the back in Alicia Siani. She and the defense have helped the Panther girls’ soccer team get off to a promising start.