PHS falls in opener to Rumson
By Justin Feil, Assistant Sports Editor
The Princeton High School boys lacrosse team fought back over and over, but Rumson pulled away for the final time on a goal with 47 seconds left in overtime for an 11-10 win over the Little Tigers on Saturday.
The Little Tigers trailed, 3-0 and 8-5 during the game, and found themselves down a goal with 38 seconds left in regulation. Allen Bryant’s fourth goal of the game with 13 seconds to go forced overtime.
”One thing that’s true about our team is we always have a ton of fight in us,” said PHS head coach Peter Stanton. “We were happy we came back from those.”
PHS had a chance to win in overtime on another Bryant goal, but had called for and received a time out just as the senior midfielder was depositing the potential game-winner. It was a call that Stanton wished he could have had back.
”There was a loose ball and a scramble and Allen picked it up. We had just thrown the ball away errantly,” said Stanton, explaining the reason for his decision before adding, “So many times the best plays are the ones coaches have nothing to do with.”
Stanton might not have called for the time out had the Little Tigers played a cleaner game from the beginning. PHS faced some of the issues typical of a season opener.
”Losing is never a good thing, but it’s particularly how you play the game,” Stanton said. “We made so many mistakes, so many turnovers and penalties and drops and all those things. Sometimes some of those things are guys just trying too hard.”
Joe Sandford also had four goals, while Mike Olentine and Mike Hellstern each had a goal apiece. Elliot Wilson made eight saves and Griffin Peck made six.
While the Little Tigers didn’t want to take a loss in the early going, they know their mistakes and shortcomings are all correctable errors that can be fixed. PHS plays at Pennington today, then hosts Northern Burlington on Friday. Hun visits Saturday.
”It’s all pretty fundamental parts of the game that we can do a pretty good job with,” Stanton said.
A high priority is continuing to improve their clears. PHS graduated last year’s top goalie, Jeff Goeke, and his replacements, Peck and Wilson, both got a chance in the net Saturday. They are working on delivering the ball from their defensive end into the midfield to set up their offense.
”We struggled clearing the ball today,” Stanton said. “We’re playing two goalies that are new. Clearing the ball is something that takes a little experience and some leadership. We’ll work on that. We had nine penalties today, and we can’t do that. And we just need to get a few more guys involved offensively.”
The Little Tigers have strong returning players spread throughout their team. Bryant and his brother, Doug, are three-year starters. Michael Irving, Jay Dwyer, Mike Olentine, Joe Sandford return with a wealth of experience as well. But Saturday, PHS had only four different goal scorers.
”We have some very talented players,” Stanton said. “It’s sort of a typical Princeton team. We have some really talented players. It’s a matter of finding some more depth around them and plugging up a few holes. Sometimes you can get caught up in, this guy is so good or this guy can do this. But it’s your team. It’s not a game of individuals. It’s who plays best as a team.
”Our kids have a lot of belief in themselves that they can play at a high level,” Stanton said. “It’s not that they were overconfident. Rumson is a pretty good squad.”
Stanton, though, didn’t expect to see his team come out as slow as it did. He was happy with the way the Little Tigers fought back. He wants to see that same resolve every game, but is hoping it won’t show only when PHS faces deficits.
”We have guys that can make plays,” Stanton said. “So we feel like we’re never out of a game. The trick will be to get that sense of urgency from the beginning. Giving up three goals in the first seven minutes of the game, then you have to fight up hill and claw your way in the game, and when we do get a lead being able to play smart, are things we need to do better. We seem to like the drama of coming from behind. It’d be nice to get a lead in a game and be able to protect it.”