MULTI-TASKING: Princeton High boys’ soccer goalie Laurenz Reimitz follows through on a kick in a game earlier this season. Last Wednesday, senior Reimitz came up big as second-seeded PHS topped third-seeded Steinert on penalty kicks in the Mercer County Tournament semifinals after the rivals battled to a 1-1 tie through regulation and two overtimes. Reimitz made some key saves in the first overtime and stopped a penalty kick in the shootout before booting in the clinching PK himself. On Saturday in the MCT title game, he made four saves as PHS edged top-seeded Allentown in another shootout as the teams were tied at 1-1 after regulation and two overtimes. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Laurenz Reimitz prefers a minimum of drama when he is playing goalie for the Princeton High boys’ soccer team.

“I usually like a quiet game, it is the one most goalkeepers like,” said senior Reimitz.

But last Wednesday when second-seeded PHS battle third-seeded Steinert in the Mercer County Tournament semifinals, Reimitz emerged as the protagonist in an epic drama.

The rivals battled to a 1-1 tie through regulation with Reimitz making some key saves to hold the Spartans at bay. In the first overtime, with Steinert applying intense pressure, Reimitz made a leaping stop and then kicked away a shot seconds later to keep the Little Tigers alive.

The contest remained deadlocked through 20 minutes of overtime and went into a penalty kick shootout. On Steinert’s first attempt, Reimitz came up big and punched the shot away. Then, producing a Hollywood ending, Reimitz volleyed in the penalty kick that clinched the win for PHS.

Reimitz kept a clear head in making the point blanks saves in overtime.

“It is just kind of reactions I guess, there is not much going through a goalkeeper’s mind on a shot like that,” said Reimitz.

In the shootout, Reimitz battled through some nerves. “Inside your head is going crazy but on the outside you have to act calm and that is just what I tried to do,” said Reimitz.

In taking his penalty kick, Reimitz calmly bounced the ball into the back of the net.

“In practice, we have taken them,” said Reimitz. “We have never been to a penalty shootout before so I haven’t been in that situation. Coach trusted me, he asked me before the PKs if I want to take one and I said yes. It wasn’t a great penalty kick but it worked.”

Over the last three years, Reimitz worked hard to improve technically. “The big thing was crosses,” said Reimitz, who made seven saves in the win over Steinert.

“In sophomore year and even last year, big guys would just bully me around. I have worked on my physique. Every practice and every time before a game we do crosses. I have been working on them a lot.”

PHS head coach Wayne Sutcliffe has seen great improvement in his senior keeper.

“Laurenz was just terrific tonight, he has just worked so hard,” said Sutcliffe.

“He put together all the experience that he has as a three-year starter. He played in the state final when he was a sophomore. He found a way, credit to him. He leads the CVC in shutouts and we know why.”

In reflecting on his star turn, Reimitz agreed that experience made the difference for him.

“It helped me tremendously,” said Reimitz. “I got a little bit lucky sophomore year with one goalkeeper deciding not to play who would have been starting. That gave me so much experience, it is unbelievable.”