USING HIS HEAD: Princeton Day School boys’ soccer player Isaac Rosenthal heads the ball against the George School (Pa.) last Friday. Senior star Rosenthal scored on a header in the game to give PDS a 1-0 victory. The Panthers, who improved to 2-0 with the triumph, play at Hamilton on September 18 and at Hopewell Valley on September 19. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Displaying its skill, the Princeton Day School boys’ soccer team dominated possession from the opening whistle last Friday as it hosted the George School (Pa.).

But despite keeping the ball in its offensive third for most of the first half hour of the contest, PDS had nothing to show for its industry as the teams were locked in a scoreless draw.

The Panthers generated a number of scoring chances that just missed and senior star Isaac Rosenthal felt a breakthrough was coming.

“We came out really strong,” said Rosenthal. “We played really well as a team, we kept our shape. Although things weren’t dropping for us, we still dominated the possession.”

With just over seven minutes left in the half, Rosenthal came through with a strong effort, soaring above the George back line to deftly head a corner kick from Donovan Davis into the back of the net.

While Rosenthal’s moment of brilliance drew cheers from teammates and fans alike, he saw the tally as a group effort.

“On that corner, I saw it coming in and I just timed my run and aimed for the upper 90 and got it in,” recalled Rosenthal.

“But it was more our team scored that goal because we all worked together so well. We all made that happen so it is all to my team; we played excellent.”

The Panthers continued to work well the rest of the day and controlled play on the way to a 1-0 triumph.

In reflecting on the win, which improved PDS to 2-0, Rosenthal was pleased with how the squad took care of business defensively.

“The less goals we can concede, the easier it is for us to win games because one goal can win the game as we saw today,” said Rosenthal.

“If you don’t concede any goals and you score one, that is all you need. We didn’t slow down in the second half, we kept it strong the whole game. All three of our lines, the defense, midfield, and forwards work together as a unit.”

Rosenthal and classmates are trying to set the tone for the Panthers this fall. “We have been playing together for four years, it is eight strong seniors and that definitely helps with our team chemistry,” said Rosenthal, whose fellow seniors on the squad include Chris Chai, Connor Fletcher, Kevin Hagan, Noam Jacoby, Amir Melvin, Ben Multak, Peter Sanderson, Aidan Jones, and Max Adam. “You can definitely see it on the field.”

As one of the more experienced players on the squad, Rosenthal is looking to positively influence team chemistry.

“I feel I am trying to be a leader on and off the field, I try to get everybody up,” said Rosenthal.

“I don’t want a negative. It is an all positive attitude where we help each other out. I want us to be a strong unit so we all pick each other up.”

PDS head coach Malcolm Murphy was not surprised that Rosenthal came through a strong effort on the game winner against George.

“Isaac has been a great leader; he went through the summer, keeping everything intact with the team,” said Murphy.

“He is getting into it more now, he is understanding his role and responsibility of where he plays on the field. He is dominating very well at the moment. He understands the tactics and has got great energy for the team.”

Murphy liked the way his squad dominated possession. “We are a good possession team; we have got to try and learn how to break down the opposition lines a little quicker,” said Murphy, whose team topped South Hunterdon 4-3 on September 8 in its season opener.

“It was to start from the back, keeping the ball and not giving the oppositions not many chances and see where we went from there. I was very happy with the way we moved the ball. We were energetic, we were composed.”

PDS’ 2-0 start has Murphy enthused about his squad’s prospects. “I am happy with everybody, we have a good group,” said Murphy.

“You can see that it is a large group and that puts emphasis on the idea that if you are playing well, you are going to stay in. If you get an opportunity to go in and get a spot, hold onto it, because this isn’t a bad squad at all.”

The team’s senior class is doing well as it looks to produce a special final campaign.

“They are a great group, half of them start and we have two or three coming off the bench,” said Murphy.

“Hopefully by year’s end, I would love to see all eight seniors play. That is in their hands. They have done very well for us so far, giving us some great years of service and hopefully we can pull on that all the way to the end of the year.”

In Murphy’s view, PDS has pulled together nicely in the early going. “Early on, it was too many individuals; I don’t ask them to compromise their beliefs but just work as team units,” said Murphy, whose team plays at Hamilton on September 18 and at Hopewell Valley on September 19.

“We should be able to manage with it and I think that is what they have shown game by game. If we can stay disciplined behind the ball and counter and do the right things, we will be in with a chance at the game.”

Rosenthal, for his part, believes the Panthers have the chance to do some special things this fall.

“I am definitely feeling really confident, we have been training for a couple of weeks now,” said Rosenthal, who is planning to play Division III college soccer next fall.

“We have been working on our defense, that is what is really helping us out right now. Once we can defend it, gain possession and attack, we can score some goals and win these games.”