OPENING SALVO: Princeton High girls’ hockey star Lucy ­Herring heads up the ice in action last winter. On Monday, senior forward Herring chipped in a goal and three assists as PHS topped Pingry 5-3 in its season opener. In upcoming action, the Little Tigers play at Summit High on December 10, at the Portledge School (N.Y.) on December 15, and at Morristown-Beard on December 16. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

There is a heightened sense of urgency surrounding the Princeton High girls’ hockey team as it heads into the 2014-15 season.

“These girls are putting pressure on themselves; we have eight seniors and they feel this is the year,” said head coach Christian Herzog, whose team posted a 2-11 record last winter.

“This is their last chance. It is carpe diem, seize the day. There is a general upbeat spirit around the team, they are willing to work harder and push through things. It is a whole different mentality.”

On offense, the combination of the Herring sisters, senior Lucy and sophomore Maggie, together with senior Campbell McDonald, who has returned to the team after a hiatus from hockey, gives PHS an attacking mentality.

“We have a 1-2 punch with the Herrings, I have them on line with Campbell; there is really good chemistry,” said Herzog, whose team posted a 5-3 win over Pingry last Monday in its season opener as Maggie Herring led the charge with three goals and two assists with sister Lucy adding a goal and three assists and McDonald chipping in a goal and two assists.

“McDonald is looking surprisingly good, she is still in shape from field hockey. Her stick skills are there, it is like riding a bicycle. Lucy looks good. Maggie has improved a lot; she has speed, she has a shot.”

The Little Tigers boast depth on offense as Herzog will be able to roll out two other lines to back up his top trio.

“The second line is Ann Daly at right wing with Isabel Sohn at center,” said Herzog. “Izzy can run and gun with the others, I could have her on the first line but I want to spread things out. Sophie Corrodi is on the left wing. The third line is Stephanie Ren, Marian Hancock-Cerutti, and Jordan Cane.”

Along the blue line, PHS features two battle-tested seniors in Julia DiTosto and Britney Coniglione along with talented junior Allie Callaway, who is back from an injury which sidelined her last year, and promising freshman Alexa Zammit.

“Julia is looking good; I have her with Zammit,” said Herzog in assessing his defensive unit. “Allie is ready to go; she is a finisher. It is good to have a defenseman like that who gets involved in the offense. I have her with Coniglione.”

In Herzog’s view, junior goalie Callie Urisko is ready to have a big year. “Urisko has improved, it is like night and day,” said Herzog of Urisko, who made 20 saves in the victory over Pingry. “Her general movement is a lot better.”

All in all, PHS appears primed to show major improvement collectively this winter.

“Last year we went into some games just looking to prevent a blowout,” said Herzog, whose team plays at Summit High on December 10, at the Portledge School (N.Y.) on December 15, and at Morristown-Beard on December 16. “This is a talented group. They feel like they can skate with every team.”