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HoVal drops PHS in soccer rematch

Defense shines in CJ III setback

By Justin Feil, Assistant Sports Editor
   When the Princeton High School girls’ soccer team earned a first-round bye in the Central Jersey Group III state tournament, it set up a quarterfinal date with Hopewell Valley and a perfect test of how far the Little Tigers have come.
   PHS was a 3-0 victim against Hopewell in the second game of the season, and though they fell 2-0 to the third-seeded Bulldogs on Wednesday, their improvements were noticeable.
   ”I thought it was a very good defensive effort,” said PHS head coach Greg Hand, whose team finishes 10-6. “We gave them a much harder time today than we did the first time. I thought individual responsibility was excellent. I thought the team played with confidence and intelligence defensively.”
   Hopewell scored twice in the first half, once on a gorgeous header and another when they slipped by some of PHS’ marks. Both squads were still assessing how much the other had improved as they came out flying to get on the board first.
   ”I think each team was literally grinding,” Hand said. “They had a couple chances that they were able to convert. They got a head on a ball in. Then the second time we were a little unorganized.
   ”Each team tried to bring it to the other in the first half. I think it was roughly even and we just got more organized in the second half.”
   The Little Tigers’ defense kept Hopewell’s chances to a minimum in the second half, while the PHS offense initiated several dangerous strikes, including a breakaway that was turned away at the last second.
   ”The key for us on attack was winning a good share of the possession and then we managed — especially in the second half — to develop the play against them and create some good chances so that’s something to be proud of,” Hand said. “On both sides, offensively and defensively, I think we showed improvement as a team from what was the second game of the season to the last.”
   It was the final game for five PHS seniors. They helped the Little Tigers battle back from a slow start to the season to earn the sixth seed in CJ III.
   ”They have just so much heart,” Hand said. “They love the game so much. And they’re dedicated to the concept of team and they’re dedicated to this team, so it was a great pleasure to have them out there training and in games.”
   They would have liked to start the state tournament with a win, but a talented Hopewell team that has also improved greatly was a difficult draw. In what ultimately was their finale, however, the Little Tigers found themselves playing at a far different level than when the year began.
   ”There’s great improvement on both sides of the ball, individual improvement and the team developing an understanding how to play defensively and on the attack,” Hand said. “They just came a long way.”