By Bob Nuse, Sports Editor
As a team working several newcomers into the lineup, the Princeton High girls soccer team figured it might get off to a slow start.
Playing three of the top teams in the Colonial Valley Conference to start the season didn’t help.
“We lost our first three games but we started with a tough stretch,” Princeton coach Val Rodriguez said. “Any given season to start with Hopewell, Notre Dame and Steinert is a challenge. It is an extra large challenge with new team. It was going to take some time to figure things out and get into a rhythm. We regrouped a lot and talked about what it takes to be a good teammate and leader. Our soccer started to come along. But I am more impressed with how our team bonding and chemistry has improved.”
The Little Tigers are 3-1 since opening the season with those three losses. The veteran leadership has helped work in the new players to the varsity and it has made a difference.
“Since last season we have 13 new girls on the roster,” Rodriguez said. “We have some new pieces to the puzzle. Since the season started we are trying people in different sports. We’ve used three different formations depending on the scenario.
“The core of the team is our defense. We have a veteran sweeper with Zoe Tesone. Our entire back line is veterans. Jackie Girouard is a senior. Abigail Ryan is a junior and Gracia DiBianco is a junior. So are Colette Marciano and Devon Lis in the center midfield. And Isabella Giglio is an outside mid playing a new to position coming back from an ACL.”
The veterans have combined with a solid group of newcomers to help the Little Tigers rebound from the slow start to win three of their last four matches.
“We have some brand new people,” Rodriguez said. “They are all fresh legs at outside mid and up front and in goal. We’re inconsistent but we are seeing glimpses of what they can do.”
Lis scored a pair of goals in a 2-0 win over Lawrence on Tuesday. Shaylah Marciano made six saves to earn the shutout in goal.
