Boys soccer fills holes left by graduation
By Bob Nuse, Sports Editor
It happens every year. Talented players graduate from the Princeton High boys soccer program and someone is waiting in the wings to take their place.
This year is no different.
After graduation claimed the likes of Andrei Spirin, Ruben Morales, Lido Guzman and Marius Seager from a team that finished 16-2-1 a year ago, the Little Tigers plugged in the holes and have started this season in impressive fashion.
Princeton, which opened the season with a tie against Hopewell Valley, topped Allentown, 1-0, on a Kevin Halliday goal on Thursday before battling Princeton Day School to a scoreless tie on Saturday.
”The first half of our schedule is, in theory, more challenging than the second half,” said Princeton coach Wayne Sutcliffe, whose team has allowed just one goal in three games. “They’ve looked excellent and have good spirit within the team. I could not be more pleased with way coming together. In three games we have only given up one goal in 280 minutes. For us that has been great.”
The Little Tigers needed to replace Morales in goal and George Kusserow has stepped in and filled that role. Kyle Ehrenworth and Ajami Gikandi have moved from the back to the midfield, with first-year senior starters Bruce Robertson and Kellen Kenny stepping in and filling the holes on defense.
”It is a great feeling starting out on the field,” Robertson said. “We have had a lot of good defenders and to step up and be there for the team is good. We’ve only allowed one goal in three games so we have been pretty happy with the defense.
”Last year I had to be patient because our team had the starting defenders set. I was hoping my time would come this year.”
Sutcliffe was confident the players who would be stepping into starting roles would come through. He’s seen it happen before at Princeton and the Little Tigers haven’t missed a beat.
”Ajami was in the back and he is in the midfield and Kyle has also moved into the midfield,” Sutcliffe said. “Bruce worked very hard last year to try to make strides. He, Kellen and George have stepped in as first-year starters and they are playing these first three games like clean players. We work year round to try to get guys groomed. They work in the weight room and summer leagues and in addition to every guy being a year-round player.
”Guys like Max Reid and Allen Bryant when we won the state championship were first-year starters. Kellen and Bruce are stepping in on their second year on the team and starting now. That is a credit to them and their perseverance and desire to be members of our side. Those guys are a couple of examples of how it all came together with a lot of hard work. There is never a guarantee because we have a lot of good young players.”
Robertson, who has played club soccer with many of the PHS players, was hoping his senior year would involve a larger role on the team, which has been the case.
”I feel like it is going to be a good season, but I really wish we beat those two teams,” said Robertson, who is a captain on the PHS track team. “I felt like those were revenge games, but we’ll take the ties and hope we meet up with them again.
”I think once we get into the season we’ll have more momentum and wins and our offense will be clicking better once we play a few more games.”
Last year Princeton’s only two losses came against Hopewell and PDS. This year they’ve earned ties against both teams and are 1-0-2 despite scoring just two goals in three games.
”We’re coming really close,” Sutcliffe said. (Saturday) was unbelievable how close. The offense is not quite in sync, which is funny because in the preseason we scored eight goals in five games against some Group 3 and 4 powers. I think when you play teams within your conference there is an added edge to things.”
If the past is any indication, the PHS offense will come around and the Little Tigers will get themselves rolling come tournament time.
”We have some great senior leaders,” Sutcliffe said. “We seven seniors and they are all fantastic. All seven are playing good roles. George, our goalie, has had great start to the season. He’s already stopped a PK. Just like Rueben he had to wait his chance. Bruce Robertson, Kellen Kenny, Ben (Davis), Kyle Ehrenworth, Will Schwartz and Ajami have all been great leaders.”