TAYLOR SWIFT: Princeton High girls’ soccer Taylor Lis races up the field in action last fall. Senior midfielder and tri-captain Lis should be a top offensive weapon for PHS this fall. The Little Tigers were slated to get their 2015 season underway by hosting Robbinsville on September 15 and playing at Hamilton on September 17. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

With the Princeton High girls’ soccer team boasting a slew of battle-tested players, Val Rodriguez sees a maturity around her squad.

“We have a great core of returners, we had 16 return from our 20 and we picked up two, one of which is a senior,” said second year PHS head coach Rodriguez, who guided PHS to a 9-7-2 record and the second round of the state sectionals in her debut campaign last fall.

“We just have a ton of leadership out there. We have three senior captains, Haley Bodden, Taylor Lis, and Gaby Deitch, who have been a good force for the team since their freshmen year. Apart from them being leaders, everyone is taking on that role, realizing you can be a leader without that title.”

PHS is depending on one of those seniors, Lis, to take a leading role offensively.

“Taylor is looking phenomenal and I really thought the forward spot was going to be her spot this year but she is really dedicated to the center mid and she does a great job there,” said Rodriguez.

“She is good no matter where I put her. She is a good leader and stepped up big time last year.”

Another senior, Serena DiBianco, could emerge as a key weapon for the Little Tigers.

“DiBianco is working on her finishing; her speed is top notch,” said Rodriguez.

“Her first touch is improving a lot; her composure on her finishing is getting a lot better.”

Senior star and tri-captain Bodden should provide some good finishing from the midfield.

“I am looking for some goals out of her; she is looking great,” asserted Rodriguez.

“She has committed to TCNJ so her head is in the right place. She is really excited  about that. Toward the end of last year she was banged up with a hamstring. She is solid right now.”

The rest of the midfield features sophomore Devon Lis, sophomore Colette Marciano, and Deitch.

“Devon Lis, Colette Marciano, and Gaby Deitch are some of the people that  are going to get in the mix,” added Rodriguez. “They will all rotate through there.”

The PHS defensive rotation will include two juniors, Zoe Tesone and Jackie Girouard, along with sophomore Abaigeal Ryan.

“Zoe Tesone is going from center mid to sweeper; she is doing  a real good job,” said Rodriguez.

“We have two outside backs who are doing really well in Jackie Girouard and Abaigeal Ryan, they both saw a lot of minutes last year.”

Rodriguez is looking for senior goalie Rachel Eberhart to do well in her final campaign. “She has got the talent so I am hoping for a big season,” said Rodriguez.

In order to have a big season, the Little Tigers need to keep their shape at both ends.

“We have to maintain our balance on the field in the formations that we are going to be looking at this year,” said Rodriguez, whose team was slated to get its season underway by hosting Robbinsville on September 15 and playing at Hamilton on September 17.

“As long as we maintain balance on the field at all times and are in support of each other, we are going to be able to move the ball very, very well, both attacking and defending as a team.”