By Bob Nuse, Sports Editor
It wasn’t an easy road, but the Princeton High boys soccer team got itself back to the Mercer County Tournament final.
The Little Tigers were able to hold off Hopewell Valley for a 1-0 win in the MCT semifinals on Monday. The win put second-seeded Princeton in the MCT against top-seeded Pennington. The game was scheduled to be played Thursday night at The College of New Jersey.
“It’s exciting,” said Princeton coach Wayne Sutcliffe, whose team improved to 17-1 with the win. “A lot of guys work hard to try to get to semi, whether it is an MCT or a sectional, but never make it. Our guys, because of their quality and hard work, have earned it and we’re back in the final.”
Princeton worked hard to get past the Bulldogs, especially on defense in the second half. Noam Davidov scored to give Princeton a 1-0 lead early in the second half and from that point on Hopewell kept the pressure on. Patrick Jacobs made six saves in goal for the shutout, getting a big assist from his brother, Ian, the Little Tigers’ sweeper who cleared a ball off the goal line to keep the Bulldogs off the scoreboard.
“They put a lot of pressure on us, especially after we scored,” Ian Jacobs said. “It was a great team win. Everybody did their part working for the team. That’s what got us there.
It was very difficult. They were putting pressure on us. They are a great team and very difficult to defend.”
But Princeton kept Hopewell off the scoreboard, with Ian Jacobs making the play of the game when he cleared a shot off the goal line.
“The first guy missed it,” he said. “I was right in front of the goal so I just had to get to the back post because I didn’t know if anyone was going to be there.”
The strong defensive effort was nothing new for a Princeton team that has allowed just five goals in its last 14 games.
“It’s amazing,” Sutcliffe said. “They work hard and have enough of what it takes to win big games and trophies. They have proven that. Tonight, party because of the narrowness of the field and the way Hopewell just kept throwing stuff at us in the second half, they were tested the entire second half. Especially after we scored. They have this desire and awareness. Ian is clearing it off the line.
“Last year we had the same back four from the state final team. Ian and (Noah) Middlekauff were phenomenal. Quentin (Pompliano) and Tom (Korsah) got better as it went along. And Pat was great. That’s what it takes.”
For Ian Jacobs and the rest of the Little Tigers, the return to the MCT final is something to be excited about.
“I’m very excited,” Jacobs said. “This is my first year on the varsity so I am looking forward to it.”
The game will be another challenge for a defense that has continually risen to the occasion.
“Everybody is new except for Sam (Serxner), Jacobs said. “Noah, Quentin and Tom have been doing a great job back there. Quentin, Noah and I are juniors and Sam and Tom are seniors. We have played together before so we work well together.”
