Growing up in Wales, Ollie Hilliker fell in love with the game of soccer at a young age.

Hilliker rose through the ranks and played for the country’s U-16 national team. He later played for two Welsh semiprofessional teams before heading to the University of Liverpool to study sports science with an emphasis on soccer.

“I played at a decent level; I had good experience playing but also I know the culture of being immersed in the game,” said Hilliker.

Getting into coaching during his college years, Hilliker worked at some soccer camps in the U.S. and became infatuated with the idea of instilling some of the Welsh soccer culture over here.

“I loved being in the U.S. so when I graduated, I thought I want to give it a try and see what happens,” recalled Hilliker. “I came over in 2007 and I have been here ever since.”

Hilliker started coaching with the Princeton Soccer Association (PSA) in 2009 and he later took the helm of the New Hope-Solebury (Pa.) boys’ soccer team, where he guided the program to a state title and four District 1 championships in five seasons.

Having resigned his post at New Hope-Solebury because he grew weary of the long trip to games in Pennsylvania, Hilliker learned that the Princeton Day School boys’ soccer team needed a head coach and he jumped at the opportunity.

“Some of my club players were in the school already,” said Hilliker.

“With New Hope, we used to play against PDS most years. I knew the program. I think there is a lot of potential there for the team to be successful and to do well. I knew it would be a little bit of a challenge, which I like, so I went for it.”

Hilliker was hired this spring and he has been pleased with how his new players have responded to him in the preseason.

“We are having a good time and the players are enjoying themselves, which is what I think is important with whatever we do,” said Hilliker, 30, the successor to longtime head coach Malcolm Murphy, a native Englishman, who guided the Panthers to an 11-7 record last fall and an appearance in the state Prep B title game.

“I like us to work hard but I always make sure that we have a good time. The camaraderie and the cohesion with the team is very good.”

That combination of working hard and having fun should lead to an entertaining brand of soccer.

“I want us to have an attacking style of play, focusing on possession of the ball with a purpose to go forward,” said Hilliker, whose team opens the 2016 season by hosting Hightstown on September 10.

“I want to give these players the tools that they need to be successful. These kids that we have got are pretty skillful already and their knowledge of the game is pretty good. I think I can enhance that and additionally develop their tactical knowledge of the game to be more successful over the course of a full season.”

The Panthers have some skillful players at forward in senior David Cedeno, junior Diego Garcia and a pair of sophomores, Wesley Leggett, and Ricardo Martinez.

“David is good, he missed a lot of last year because of a knee injury and he has looked very strong in preseason,” said Hilliker.

“Diego is doing very, very well. Wesley and Ricardo are at forward too. Those four are fighting each other right now for a position on the field which is a great thing for me as a coach.”

In the midfield, the junior duo of C.J. Uche and Donavan Davis will be leading the way for the Panthers.

“The standout player is going to be C.J., he played quite a lot last year,” said Hilliker.

“Then you have Donovan Davis, who is going to play at the back end of the midfield with a bit of time in the midfield and a bit of time in the back depending on the teams that we play. In different scenarios, we will be able to vary his role.”

The Panther back line features seniors Jack Amaral and Coby Gibson with sophomore Cody Auslander adding a spark.

“Jack and Coby are the main guys on the defense,” said Hilliker.

“Cody is a very versatile player; he is going be playing on defense and the midfield. He has lots to offer in different ways.”

Senior Ryan Sparks has a lot to offer at goalie for the Panthers. “Ryan is going to be the main goalie; he is looking good and sharp,” said Hilliker, who has junior Manas Sood backing up Sparks.

“He is looking more ready than I expected. He is very competitive and very confident. He has worked very hard in the preseason.”

In Hilliker’s view, the way the team has worked together in the preseason should help it be competitive this fall.

“We have to stay injury-free, that is one of the most important things because we don’t have a big roster,” said Hilliker.

“One thing I am big about is making it a team and having that cohesion so that they have all got each other’s backs and they are going to play for each other and support each other. I think we have started very well with that. If we get those two things right, we should have a successful year.”