In an early September clash, the Princeton High field hockey team fell behind Allentown 3-0 at halftime on the way to a 4-1 loss.

Things were a lot different when the teams met in the Mercer County Tournament semifinals last Thursday at Mercer County Community College.

Through 30 minutes, fifth-seeded PHS battled top-seeded and undefeated Allentown tooth-and-nail and the teams headed into halftime knotted in a scoreless stalemate.

PHS head coach Heather Serverson liked the way her players rose to the occasion in the rematch.

“I think we played really well; I think we tightened up the issues we had the first time around when we played them,” said Serverson.

“I just told them to keep doing what they were doing and that eventually one of them would go in hopefully.”

Unfortunately for the Little Tigers, Allentown found the back of the cage three minutes into the second half. PHS responded by controlling possession for much of the half but couldn’t cash in as it fell by that 1-0 margin.

“In games like this it is the little things that make the difference; they found a way to put the ball in and we didn’t,” said Serverson.

“It is just unfortunate that we weren’t able to pop one in. I think we could definitely score on this team.”

Sophomore goalie Kate Rogers did some big things in the cage for the Little Tigers, making several point blank stops.

“Kate came through for us big time, she had a lot of great saves,” said Serverson. “I am impressed with the composure that she was able to play with.”

PHS showed composure all over the field in battling the Redbirds, who went on to defeat Robbinsville 1-0 on Saturday to win the MCT title.

“We did well down the middle, from the front to the back,” said Serverson.

“Mariana Lopez-Ona had an improved game today. Julia Snyder and Georgia McLean played well. Jamaica Ponder made some good plays. It was a team effort.”

While Serverson was disappointed by the outcome, she believes her players left it all on the field.

“They could not have done more; they did their best,” asserted Serverson. “I think we were evenly matched. I don’t necessarily think they are the better team; they just found a way to score.”

With PHS starting play in the North 2, Group 4 state sectional, where it is seeded third and will host No. 6 East Brunswick in a quarterfinal contest on October 29, Serverson believes her squad can build on its performance against Allentown.

“I think we are prepared now for our new Group 4; we’ll see how that goes,” said Serverson.

“They are all stepping stones. We will move on from this and hopefully be better for it.”