Justin Feil

By: centraljersey.com
Kevin Francfort has been starting in the middle of the Princeton Day School boys soccer defense for three years, and each year he’s had someone new next to him in the middle.
The Panthers graduated Owen Haney from last year’s 11-win team that was a shootout away from the Prep B final, but returned plenty of firepower. The only real mystery was how the Panthers would replace Haney and how it would affect the defense.
Three games into the season, the Panthers and second-year goalkeeper Jacob Eisenberg have given up only one goal.
"We lost Owen Haney last year," said Francfort, a senior captain. "He went to Bates. We shifted Connor Gibson inside and there were some questions about who would be our fourth defender. Will Powers has stepped up big.
"Most of the credit, though, has to go to Jacob. He’s playing a lot better. The defenses this year and last year are comparable. He’s made the difference."
Eisenberg made six saves, including a diving stop in the final minute, to preserve a 2-1 win over Montgomery High on Monday and cap the 3-0 start to their season.
"We’re obviously excited that we’re undefeated," said Eisenberg, a junior from Princeton. "We can’t get complacent and think we’re the best team. We have to go out and prove ourselves every game. We’re trying to build a reputation, but we need to keep doing that every game."
If the Panthers continue to get the defense and goalkeeping they’ve had through three games going into Thursday’s schedule challenge from Prep A Lawrenceville, they will be in good shape to improve on last year’s mark.
"They’re definitely a few games we highlighted against teams that are contenders every year for the MCTs, Prep A finals, Prep B finals," Francfort said. "Last year, losing in the Prep B final was tough to take. We feel like we’re ready to enter the Prep B tournament and MCT tournament and compete and hopefully do well there." PDS rallied for its win over Montgomery. After a goal by Matt Maxewski put the Cougars ahead, 1-0, midway through the first half, Francfort scored off a corner kick.
"That was my goal for the season," the Hillsborough resident laughed. He scored one goal last season, also off a corner, but his primary focus is on anchoring the defense.
"This is my third year," Francfort said. "Connor is the third person I’ve had next to me in three years. It’s a bit of a merry go round, but we do have some consistency and layover from last year. The last couple years have taught me about when I need to step up and about being consistent."
Francfort is the leader for the defense that includes Powers, Gibson and Paul Zetterberg. They have proven tough to get by, and when teams have, Eisenberg has been up to the task.
"Defense was clearly the one place where we had a question," Francfort said. "We knew someone had to step up. I think all four of us have stepped up and worked together in keeping the ball out of the net."
In the second half, Justin Ward gave the Panthers the game-winner with eight minutes to play off a direct kick. Eisenberg kept the lead for PDS with a diving stop at the end of the game.
"That’s why I’m there," Eisenberg said. "You look at any close game that any team has, usually there’s a goalkeeper involved in keeping it close. I view that as my job and how I can help out the team.
"It was a great game," he added. "They have a bunch of really quality players, especially in the midfield. We knew even though we had the lead, we knew they’d keep the pressure on us."
Eisenberg has been a bigger help to the team this year than last year as he was adjusting to his first season of starting. Now back, he’s playing with more confidence.
"It’s pretty much the same group of guys," he said. "Last year, I struggled especially early on with the pace of the game at the varsity level. This year it slowed down for me. I’m used to the talent and the physicality of it."
Putting all the pieces together for a significant win over a strong Montgomery team helped the Panthers take a big step. PDS has confirmed it can play with anyone.
"It’s a very big win for us," Eisenberg said. "We’re going into the season with the mindset we can beat anyone. We have to work hard to do it. Beating a school like Montgomery solidifies all the hard work we’ve done."
Added Francfort: "We gelled pretty well as a team last year. It was one of the best seasons in our school’s history. Returning 10 starters has helped us get out of the gate strong. I don’t think any of us are too surprised. We understand as long as we work together and play as a team we can compete with anyone in the county."
The Panthers want to continue to progress through this season so that they have the chance to prove how good they can be on the biggest stages. Last year’s title shots ended with a 3-2 shootout loss in the states, and with most everyone back and improved, no one has forgotten that motivation as they build toward a big finish.
"It’s so tough to play 100 minutes and lose on a penalty kick shootout," Francfort said. "We’re hungry to get past the semifinals this year and hopefully play the finals in Prep B. Hopefully we’ll get a better result than last year."
If the start is any indication, they will.