PHS defense delivers in soccer win

Little Tigers advance to today’s sectional semis

By: Bob Nuse
   All it took was that first goal and the Princeton High boys’ soccer team was on its way.
   Javier Ramirez broke a scoreless tie when he scored off a penalty kick midway through the second half, helping the third-seeded Little Tigers to a 2-0 win over Hopewell Valley in the quarterfinals of the Central Jersey Group III tournament.
   With the win, Princeton advanced to play at second-seeded Long Branch today at 2 p.m. The winner of the PHS-Long Branch game will face the winner of the other semifinal between No. 5 Monroe and No. 9 Moorestown on Friday in the CJ III final.
   "Any time you can get the first one it changes the whole dynamic of the game," said Princeton coach Wayne Sutcliffe, whose team received a second goal from Ramirez later in the half. "When a team gets behind they have to press and that’s what happened with them."
   While Princeton scored twice, it was the Little Tigers’ stingy defense that made the biggest difference in the game. HoVal had very few good chances to score thanks to a Princeton defense that limited any good chances.
   "We found ourselves fighting in the first half," defender Casey Rahn said. "But no matter what, we always come out strong in the second half. We were fighting our hardest and they’re a good team. But once we score our first goal we’re always on the run.
   "Even though we beat them in the regular season, we came into this knowing we could not take them lightly. They’re a good team."
   The win was the seventh in the last eight games for the Little Tigers, who have allowed less than a goal a game this season. The defense has plenty of veteran leadership, plus the addition of Rahn this season.
   "We’ve been progressing and getting stronger and stronger as the season goes on," Rahn said. "We might be a little sloppy in some aspects, but we keep improving and each game we get better and better. It’s nice having Javier back into the mix, he had a broken toe at one point, but we’re happy to have him.
   "I’ve enjoyed playing defense this year. I’ve played forward, midfield and now defense this season. So I have been progressively moving back and back. I enjoy being part of the defensive unit. Pete McInerney is incredible in the back with the boot out every time. It’s fun being part of a unit where you trust every single individual. The unit we have has bonded from the get-go."
   McInerney, Mike Lynch and goalkeeper Jason Barber are all in their third year as starters. Alex Filipiak and Ari Silver also bring experience to the defense, which now adds a solid player in Rahn.
   "Each guy in the back, specifically McInerney, Rahn, Filipiak, Lynch, Ari Silver and Barber in the goal, they kept us so balanced," said Sutcliffe, whose team improved to 14-3 with the win. "Hopewell had several threats and they figured out how to deal with it.
   "Casey has been a nice addition in the back. Last year he played striker and was effective there. But he just brings so much athleticism and leadership and his touch is good enough that he gives us a lot of composure back there."
   Rahn has enjoyed his season on defense. Today could turn out to be a big day for the senior, who in addition to playing in the CJ III soccer semifinals, is expected to sign a national letter of intent to play lacrosse at the University of Massachusetts, which reached the NCAA championship game last year.
   "I’m incredibly excited, especially going to the No. 2 school in the nation for lacrosse," Rahn said. "When I first started playing, I was atrocious. But over the years it started to come into perspective and it finally came. The camps and the work I put into it have paid off."
   But first, he has soccer to think about. And Rahn and his team hope this season goes on for a while. Princeton has rebounded nicely from a loss to Hun in the Mercer County Tournament semifinals. In fact, that loss may have helped get the Little Tigers started on this run through the CJ III bracket.
   "How could it not?" Sutcliffe asked. "We’re in two tournaments and we want to win two tournaments. You get bounced out of one in a tough way, so it motivates you to do better in the next one. We just rose to the occasion.
   "We are moving in the right direction and we’ve won eight out of nine. So we’re on a great roll in that respect. I was so proud we had a shutout today. And at this point we’re on an emotional high. The seniors are a great group and they’re determined that this is their year."