Wilson, Pirates top PHS
By: Justin Feil
The West Windsor-Plainsboro South boys’ lacrosse team understands well how it bounced back from its first defeat of the season.
Following a loss to Princeton Day School on Friday, the Pirates had some of their toughest practices in preparation for a week that included two more important games. The practice paid off as they topped Colonial Valley Conference rival Princeton High, 11-4, Wednesday to set up today’s Bianchi Division showdown with The Hun School.
"We definitely turned up the intensity level, starting with our players and all our coaches," said South goalie Ben Wilson, who made 12 saves in the win over PHS. "It was no nonsense. We definitely brought it every day to practice. We just have to keep on doing it every day."
The Pirates don’t want to be so satisfied with Wednesday’s win that they overlook Hun. WW-P South hopes to be able to duplicate Wednesday’s effort for the remainder of the season. Seeing those immediate results should help reinforce that idea.
"It gives us an understanding when you do work hard, and get after it in practice, good things are going to happen when you work together," said Pirates head coach Kerry Weigner, whose team improved to 3-1 while PHS dropped to 6-2. "But tomorrow the game’s in the past. You’re only as good as your next game. We have to get ready for Hun."
Wilson, too, would like to sustain the sort of play that helped him and the Pirate defense hold Princeton to a season-low in goals. The South senior didn’t feel as good about his play against PDS.
"Our D’ has been playing well all year," Wilson said. "We’re a pretty cohesive unit. For me, it’s all confidence. Once I make a couple saves, I get on a roll. In a couple games, I’ve let up a couple in the first half and my confidence gets shot. I’ve been playing better in the second halves of games, which I think is a result of getting into the games. Coach (Bryan) Fisher and Coach (Rob) Morris, they helped me out, getting warmed up. I felt ready (Wednesday)."
"Our goalie had a great game," Weigner said. "He was on today. He played very well."
It was part of a team effort that was much better than the one they had against PDS. Weigner felt that the Pirates only played a good fourth quarter against the Panthers, and by then it was too late to come back. Wednesday, they weren’t about to let that happen.
"Our mentality is we weren’t going to lose," Wilson said. "In the fourth quarter against PDS, we outscored them, 5-1. We brought it in that fourth quarter. We saw if we bring it every quarter, in the (PHS) game in particular, we can win. That’s how we have to approach every game."
The Pirates are a team that doesn’t have many big names that jump out, but as Wilson says, there are a lot of good all-around players. It’s a close-knit team, one that’s already enjoyed several pre-game barbecues at his house.
"It’s good for team bonding," Wilson said. "For us, it’s basically working on chemistry and focusing on the games. We’re getting it down. Coach Weigner has put a mindset in that if we don’t bring it, we let our teammates down, not just ourselves."
Wilson is trying to take on a role of keeping his teammates ready and focused every game and practice. As a senior goalie, it comes with the territory.
"It is different being a senior," Wilson said. "This is it. You’re expected to be a leader. We have a lot more balanced leadership on this team out of our seniors as compared to last year when only (Mat) Burke was a vocal leader."
Weigner was pleased to see the response of the Pirates to their first loss and the intensity in the practices.
"We did some competitions in practice that got the kids getting into it," Weigner said. "It was some stuff that you had to have some stones to get after it. It made some guys step up.
"We showed some character that we were able to bounce back," he added. "As soon as we step on the field (Thursday), Princeton’s in the past and Hun is on our mind. Part of our goals is to compete for the CVC and the Bianchi. Hun is in the Bianchi. We have to win that game. We feel we need to bring it every day like that. I don’t care if it’s a game or practice. That’s asking a lot, but that’s what you have to do to be successful."
In his final season with the Pirates, that’s just what Ben Wilson is looking for to end his career. Having seen how several solid days of preparation paid off once, WW-P South is hoping to duplicate the effort and the results through the remainder of the season.
"Basically, we saw we have to come to play every game like it’s the last game we have," Wilson said. "Especially for the seniors, it’s our last chance. We didn’t come to play against PDS like we should have. We weren’t 100 percent focused. It’s irresponsible enough. We realize what the results will be. It won’t happen again."
Or the Pirate practices might be even tougher.