FRENCH ACCENT: Princeton Day School field hockey player Kiely French controls the ball in action last fall. Senior star French figures to anchor the back line for the Panthers again this season. PDS opens the 2016 season by hosting Stuart Country Day School on September 8. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

With Heather Farlow entering her second year at the helm of the Princeton Day School field hockey program, the team has hit the ground running this season.

“I think they are used to my coaching style, my philosophy, and how I run a practice,” said Farlow, who guided the Panthers to a 6-12-1 record last fall.

“I think we are farther along than we were last year at this point. We had a young team last year and we have a young team again this year. We are excited.”

After producing some exciting moments down the stretch last season, going 5-2-1 in its last eight games and advancing to the state Prep B semifinals, the returning players are bringing a greater self belief into 2016.

“I think last year, it was we could do this, we might be able to pull this out,” said Farlow, whose team will open the 2016 season by hosting the Stuart Country Day School on September 8.

“This year the expectations are higher, not in a pressurized way, but with a feeling that we can totally compete with teams.”

The Panthers boast a trio of stars in the midfield in junior Madison Mundenar along with sophomores Gwen Allen and Val Radvany, who can give PDS a competitive edge against most foes.

“Madison played up front for us last year, a little bit at midfield but mostly at forward so we are playing her back into the midfield and she is doing pretty well,” said Farlow, noting that her squad has done well in preseason action, outscoring Bordentown, Steinert, and WW/P-S in scrimmages.

“It is new to her but she will do well. Gwen and Val are much more confident on the ball.”

Farlow has confidence in her attack which includes sophomore Sasha Sindhwani, junior Gretchen Lindenfeldar, freshman Julia Lach, sophomore Hailey Young, and junior Claire Szuter.

“Up front we have Sasha, Gretchen, Julia, and Hailey,” said Farlow. “Gretchen and Sasha are standing out. Julia is a freshman and she has done really well. We might cycle in Claire and Madison might play there a little bit.”

Along the back line, senior Kiely French has established herself as a standout for the Panthers.

“We have Kiely back and she is going to anchor our defense,” said Farlow.

“She brings athleticism and leadership for sure. She has poise on the ball, she plays club ice hockey and has a lot of competitive experience. She is a positive presence.”

The rest of the PDS defense will feature junior Elizabeth Brennan, freshman Caroline Haggerty, and junior Eva-Marie Petschnigg.

“Elizabeth is playing right in front of Kiely, I slid her back from a center mid to a center back; she brings experience,” added Farlow.

“We have Caroline playing in the back for us and she is doing a great job. We have an exchange student, Eva, who is from Austria and is a great addition.”

Another key addition for the Panthers is freshman goalie Lexie Hausheer.

“Lexie is in the U.S. talent pool; she does futures and she made the national tournament this past spring and is doing really well,” said Farlow, who also has senior Kyra Mason and freshman Maggie Madani at goalie.

“Although Lexie is young, she has a lot of club and tournament experience so we are excited.”

Looking ahead to the season, Farlow believes the Panthers can do really well if they take care of basics.

“I think our keys are just to continue to be confident with what we do and take it game by game,” said Farlow.

“We need to focus on doing simple things; working to get the ball into our offensive 25 and creating quality opportunities and just playing good team defense. If we can keep everybody healthy, we will be competitive.”