Little Tigers eliminate Hopewell
By Justin Feil, Assistant Sports Editor
With less than 10 minutes to play in the first half of Princeton High School’s Central Jersey Group III quarterfinal matchup with Hopewell on Friday, Chris Harla took a ball off the goal line to preserve the Little Tigers lead.
It was another reminder of why PHS is so happy to have Harla on the field this season — and happier still that their junior sweeper will be around for another year after this one.
”He read it well and to his credit he got it behind the ball and cleared it off the end line,” said PHS head coach Wayne Sutcliffe. “I’m not surprised. He’s the first junior captain we’ve had since 1997. I think that says a lot about how others think of him. He’s just been great all season long.
”He’s been a pivotal factor in our success and his work rate, his ability on the ball, he organizes, he’s good in the air and a good 1v1 defender. He’s a fearless player. He doesn’t shy from big challenges, and that’s what you need in a captain and as a center back.”
PHS’ safety blanket helped keep momentum on their side, and after Hopewell tied the game early in the second half, the Little Tigers pulled away late for a 3-1 win, their second of the CJ III tournament against a Colonial Valley Conference opponent, with two more possibly to come. Top-seeded PHS had opened with a 1-0 win over Hamilton, and was scheduled to host Allentown on Monday and could potentially play Steinert in a final Thursday.
”It’s great,” Harla said. “They are the best teams in the state, Allentown especially and Steinert, and Hopewell they’re a good team. The intensity is what we’re looking for in these games.”
Dwight Donis had the game-winner against Hopewell Valley in the closing minutes. Chase Ealy had gotten the Little Tigers on the board in the first half, and he also finished with an assist. Cole Snyder had the third goal for PHS which improved to 15-2-2.
”Hopewell, they were as good as they always are,” Sutcliffe said. “The Princeton-Hopewell rivalry is decades old. It’s never easy on either team.
”We just found a way at the end. As it went on, with this team, as things go forward, you get late in the second half and you’re level, we’re comfortable with that and we’re confident with taking a team to OT and beyond that.”
Top-seeded Montgomery High was upset, 1-0, by ninth-seeded Freehold Township in the Central Jersey Group IV quarterfinals Friday. The Cougars finished 13-5-1.
PHS won the last two games of the Mercer County Tournament on shootout penalty kicks. The Little Tigers assured themselves that it would at least get there as Harla and the defense stiffened after surrendering a goal.
”They worked on set pieces a lot,” Harla said of Hopewell. “They seemed to have their runs worked out. They played a lot of kick and run last time. This time they held the ball better.”
Hopewell’s lone goal came on a missed communication. PHS has had to juggle some of its personnel due to injuries late in the year, but Harla is confident that things have been worked out. He is still in the back, and trying to do his part in his second year as a starter.
”This year, I definitely have a lot bigger influence on the team,” Harla said. “I’m a junior captain. I was the new guy on the team last year. I took orders. I’m playing sweeper. Last year, I played left back. I’m staying back more. My goal scoring chances are limited.”
Harla still has some chances to assist on goals, but scoring opportunities are few and far between for him. His focus is on the defensive end, where PHS needs his skills that got him elected a team captain.
”He’s a good leader, vocal on the field and in training,” Sutcliffe said. “He has a great personality. He brings confidence. You need a guy like that. Chris is a soccer player first and foremost. He’s invested a lot of time into the game. He’s improved a lot from last year to this year. Even in the last month, he’s gotten better. He’s had an opportunity to now play in big games and win. He just helped us win an MCT championship. He’d never done that. That’s a big threshold to cross.”
Harla’s presence means a lot. PHS dropped its MCT opener last year when Harla was injured and did not play. He has evolved from being one of the supporting cast players to a leader, and the Little Tigers are enjoying the benefits. Their win over Hopewell sets up another shot with Allentown, whom they beat twice this year after Allentown ended their season in the state sectionals last year.
”I’m pretty sure the whole team is psyched to play them,” Harla said. “Last year, they knocked us out in the same round, 1-0, at their place. The kids on the team are going to be wanting blood against them, even though we beat them before. They’re the reining champions. If we beat them, we can win the whole thing.”