By: David Gurney
Princeton High School boys varsity teammates Ross MacDonald and Sam Kotowski share some commonalties.
They played on the same middle school soccer team years back.
They both hail from Cranbury.
And they both play up front for the Little Tigers.
So it was only fitting that the two combined for the first of two Princeton goals in the Little Tigers’ 2-1 victory over Monroe in the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III sectional title game.
With the victory, Princeton moved onto the NJSIAA Group III state semifinals, where they dropped a 1-0 decision to South Jersey Group III champion Shawnee (see related story).
After the game, it was all smiles from the boys from Cranbury.
"It feels great, instead of going one and out we were able to get some wins and now we’re heading to the semifinals," MacDonald said following the victory. "Sam and I have been working well together all season, but it all starts with our defense. We just went on counters and got it done."
The Little Tigers (16-3) capitalized on a counter midway through the first half to take an early 1-0 lead. A turnover at midfield by Monroe (21-5) eventually led to a Kotowski run down the right sideline. His initial shot was turned away by goalie Mike Rettberg, but MacDonald was right by the net for the rebound, one-timing a shot into the low left corner.
"We had a good scouting report and knew to attack down the right side," Kotowski said. "Our game plan worked and we were able to combine on the goal."
It was fitting for the two, as they have combined to score 34 goals between them this season. Princeton has also gotten valuable contributions in other areas of the field from Cranbury residents Kyle DeBlois and Corey Marsh.
But it seemed, that with every victory and every goal, the two Cranbury forwards have grown closer as teammates.
"Last year, me and Ross were just buddies, we just talked but weren’t really friendly," said the sophomore Kotowski of the senior MacDonald. "But now, we have more of a connection. He drives me to school everyday. He drives me to and from practice on the weekends. He’s always there."
It’s the growing relationship that has mirrored the growing connection and chemistry between the two on the soccer field.
It’s been obvious to Princeton head coach Wayne Sutcliffe.
"They understand one another and they’re a good team together," Sutcliffe said. "In a soccer team you get small pockets of guys who are very good technically and are on the same page tactically. Sam and Ross are two of the guys in that group, along with Javier Ramirez.
"They’ve played together for a lot of years and look for each other on the field."
And it’s paid off for the Little Tigers this year, who avoided going one-and-out in the state tournament once again with victories over Neptune, Hopewell Valley, Long Branch and Monroe.
But for MacDonald, an important role he’s had to play was one as mentor to the younger players on the team, including Kotowski, so that the program continues to move in the right direction.
"I’m just trying to lead Sam and the others a little bit, so Princeton soccer does well in the next couple of years when I’m not there," MacDonald said. "The whole team, and the young guys, just needs to stay confident that we can win."

