GOLDEN GOAL: Princeton High boys’ soccer player Andrew Goldsmith controls the ball last Thursday as first-seeded PHS hosted sixth-seeded Red Bank Regional in the Central Jersey Group 3 sectional final. Sophomore Goldsmith scored a second-half goal to help PHS pull away to a 4-1 win. The Little Tigers will now face Ocean City on November 19 in the Group 3 state semifinals at Toms River North. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

While Andrew Goldsmith has been a key playmaker for the Princeton High boys’ soccer team as it has won the county crown and advanced to Central Jersey Group 3 sectional final, he hadn’t scored a goal all fall.

The sophomore midfielder picked a good time to finally find the back of the net, scoring a vital second half goal as first-seeded PHS pulled away to a 4-1 win over sixth-seeded Red Bank Regional last Thursday in the sectional title game.

Goldsmith’s tally made it 3-1 and gave the Little Tigers breathing room on the way to the triumph, which earned them a spot in the state Group 3 semis where they will face Ocean City on November 19 at Toms River North.

“When they played that ball in, I thought the goalie was going to come out and get it but then I hear people screaming my name to run on it and I ran it,” recalled Goldsmith.

“I was going to score that one after getting so many opportunities this year. I needed to get my first one and it is a great feeling.”

Despite falling behind 1-0 in the first half against Red Bank, Goldsmith and his teammates had the feeling that they could find the back of the net and seize momentum.

“We knew that this goalie was really good and we found that he comes off his line very quickly,” said Goldsmith.

“We just knew that once we get in the break, we knew we would get more opportunities. We just had to stay composed because we knew the goal was going to come.”

PHS knotted the game at 1-1 on a goal by Nick Kapp late in the first half. With nearly 14 minutes gone on the second half, PHS forged ahead 2-1 and then Goldsmith tallied to help break Red Bank’s spirit.

“Whenever you go up two goals in a major tournament or even in a normal game, it is very tough to get your heads up,” said Goldsmith, whose goal was followed minutes later by a tally from Luis Lazo.

PHS has been getting tougher and tougher as the postseason has unfolded, playing its best soccer when it matters most.

“We were only focused on this game, you have to take it one game at a time,” said Goldsmith. “We just keep improving every game.”

PHS head coach Wayne Sutcliffe kept the faith even as his team dug the early hole against Red Bank.

“We had plenty of time and with their high line and us getting in behind a couple of times, we were not that concerned,” said Sutcliffe.

“I was more concerned with the quality of their goalkeeper and the possible fact that he might have had a career day.”

Kapp’s game-tying tally changed the tone of the day for PHS. “What a timely goal, it was good work on the behalf of every guy, just trying to find a way to keep it and get in behind them,” said Sutcliffe. “It was a quality goal, that was the turning point in the game.”

In reflecting on his team’s high quality play down the stretch, Sutcliffe attributed it to chemistry and depth.

“I think more than anything, it is a great work ethic, camaraderie, and quality,” said Sutcliffe.

“We have a lot of quality and depth on the team. We are finding a way to let a lot of players become the personality player, and not just one player or two players. Our depth and our quality, I think has carried us through in the last four weeks.”

For Sutcliffe, winning another sectional crown and getting through to the state semis with this group means a lot. “I am as happy now as I have ever been winning any championship,” said Sutcliffe, who guided PHS to state titles in 2009 and 2012.

“Last year, we really worked hard with 17 new varsity players. I am particularly happy for the seniors. It is not a big class in numbers, there are only six of them and they have just persevered. They have been challenged by the juniors and the sophomores. The end result of that is what you saw today, a lot of quality and finding a way to win.”

Goldsmith, whose older brother, Jeremy, starred for the 2012 state championship team, saw the sectional title as redemption after the Little Tigers produced a subpar campaign in 2013.

“It is great,” said Goldsmith. “I have gotten a lot of grief from last year when we got knocked out in the first round of MCTs and the semifinals of the sectionals coming off a state championship year. This is just a great feeling and I can’t wait to call my brother up and tell him about it.”