GOLD VALUE: Princeton High boys’ soccer player Jeremy Goldsmith kicks the ball last Thursday as PHS hosted Hightstown. Senior midfielder Goldsmith picked up an assist in the game but it wasn’t enough as PHS fell 2-1. The Little Tigers, who rebounded with a 2-1 win over Harrison on Saturday to improve to 2-2, host Robbinsville on September 20 before playing at Lawrence High on September 24. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Over the three campaigns from 2009-11, the Princeton High boys’ soccer team didn’t lose a game in regular season play.

Last week, the proud PHS side dropped two early season games, falling 2-1 to Allentown in overtime on September 10 and then getting edged 2-1 by Hightstown two days later.

While Little Tiger head coach Wayne Sutcliffe wasn’t happy to see his team get off to a 1-2 start, he certainly wasn’t ready to push the panic button.

“I am not discouraged at all,” said Sutcliffe after the loss to Hightstown. “We don’t like dropping games but our best soccer, without a doubt, is in front of us.”

In the Hightstown contest, PHS displayed some superb soccer in the first half as it battled back from an early 1-0 deficit to knot that game on a Kevin Halliday goal.

“We had a great start to the game aside from giving up that opportunistic goal,” said Sutcliffe.

“Our urgency was good, we were winning the battles. Kevin had a great goal. That came from some of the best soccer we have played all season. We worked it really well. It was great to see that response to Hightstown’s goal.”

In the second half, the Rams took the lead at the 5:30 mark and PHS tried valiantly to get the equalizer, putting intense pressure on the Hightstown defense.

“We are getting some bad breaks in the back third; we had most of the possession,” said Sutcliffe.

“You saw how many shots they had in the second half, maybe two or three. We are just not getting the breaks and that is something we will work out.”

Sutcliffe likes the work he is getting from senior defender Adam Klein and senior midfielder Zach Halliday.

“Adam Klein had a great game today; he really neutralized No. 44 [Mohammed Sesay] and did a great job,” said Sutcliffe.

“I think Zach has had a great season so far, he has been the guy that has been carrying us.”

PHS, though, needs others to help out Klein and Halliday. “I think it is a matter of a couple of the other guys simplifying things and finding their form,” said Sutcliffe.

The first order of business for the Little Tigers is to develop the imperious defensive form that has characterized the program’s recent run of success.

“We are focusing on keeping a clean sheet; we have to tighten up the defense,” said Sutcliffe.

“We have to work on being a little sharper and more organized. We have given up five goals in three games; that is unusual for us. Clearly that is where we are going to start.”

PHS also has to start being more productive with its offensive possessions. “We are lacking a little quality in the front 18 in the attacking end,” added Sutcliffe, whose team was more productive last Saturday as it edged Harrison 2-1 with Kevin Halliday scoring both goals.

“It doesn’t mean that we are not getting in and creating chances; we are just lacking a little quality.”

With the season barely a week old, PHS has time to get in a groove. “I don’t think it is a wakeup call, the guys all have to know that,” said Sutcliffe, whose team hosts Robbinsville on September 20 before playing at Lawrence High on September 24.

“We are going to be a lot better in two weeks and we’ll be a lot better than that in four weeks. It is only the third game of the season.”