SHINING COYNE: Princeton Day School girls’ soccer player Madison Coyne advances the ball up the field in recent action. Junior defender Coyne’s brilliance on the back line has helped PDS produce a 4-0 start this season. The Panthers will look to keep on the winning track as they play at Peddie on September 22 before hosting Blair Academy on September 24 and South Hunterdon on September 26. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

In recent years, the rivalry between the Princeton Day School girls’ soccer team and Hun has been heated, producing a slew of tightly contested one-goal games.

Last week when the local foes met for their annual clash, there was added spice as PDS was facing Hannah Bunce, its former star and the leading scorer in its run to the state Prep B title last fall as she transferred to Hun this year.

The Panthers hit the field at Hun riding some extra emotion. “We were pumped, we were ready,” said PDS junior defender Madison Coyne.

“We had a big psyche, we were USA today. We were all in USA stuff, we had face paint. We had to wash it all off before we came here so we didn’t look like dummies.”

After the teams played a scoreless first half, PDS cleaned up over the final 40 minutes, tallying two unanswered goals by Brooke Smukler and Damali Simon-Ponte to earn a 2-0 victory.

Going against their former teammate, the Panthers were looking to make a statement.

“We love Hannah; she has always been a great person and an amazing player,” said Coyne.

“Today was a day that we showed that we are not a one-man team. We were able to come out and beat an amazing team with the core players that we had from last year.”

In Coyne’s view, the second half surge reflected PDS’s ability to adapt and its talent all over the field.

“I think we had to get into the groove; we normally practice on turf and this is a little bit different,” said Coyne.

“We got used to it on the second half. We still had the possession that we needed to really bring it together. Brooke’s finish was amazing; Damali took that line drive and just played it into the corner.”

Three-year starters Coyne and star goalie Grace Barbara held the PDS defense together as usual.

“We have played together for six years; we play on different club teams now since this past year,” said Coyne, who is headed to George Washington where she will play for its women’s soccer team while Barbara is a Princeton University commit.

“She has been my best friend for a really long time; we work together so well. I look forward to playing with her. If there is a one-on-one with her, I know she is going to stop it. I have full confidence in her.”

Coyne also possesses the confidence to go forward with the ball, displaying her offensive prowess by blasting a touch off the indirect free kick that led to the first PDS goal.

“What I do is I sweep, I try to lead as much as possible,” said Coyne. “I try to pump people up. I try to be an outlet for people who need help. If there is a long run and I have to make it, I am going to make that run. If I can, I will take the ball up and try to take a shot.”

PDS head coach Pat Trombetta cited Coyne’s leadership on the back line as a key factor in the team’s success.

“Madison is like a quarterback on the field, directing play in the back,” said Trombetta.

“We have five or six backs that we can put in that game and she controls everything. We are deep there. She works real well together with Grace.”

In Trombetta’s view, the Panthers are starting to come together better at the offensive end.

“Maddie McCaw is a playmaker in the center of the field and Damali gives the attack from the width and she can drive balls in on crosses and cutbacks and go to goal,” said Trombetta.

“She is a threat from the outside. We are going to control play, it is the finishing that is our biggest concern. Damali had a beautiful finish for that second goal today. The first goal was a little flukey but Madison almost finished it off the get-go but we had girls crashing the net like we work on in practice and Brooke was there to finish it off.”

With PDS having won two straight Prep B championships and the 2013 Mercer County Tournament crown, the players saw the Hun game as a chance to prove that they are still a title threat.

“The kids said that we want to prove that we are more than a one-man show from last year and I think they came out today and showed that they are a total team,” asserted Trombetta, whose team improved to 4-0 with a 5-1 win over Rutgers Prep last Saturday and will look to keep on the winning track as it plays at Peddie on September 22 before hosting Blair Academy on September 24 and South Hunterdon on September 26.

“The defense played well, midfield controlled play and we had some opportunities up top.”

Coyne, for her part, believes that the Panthers have the opportunity to do some big things this fall.

“It is still about keeping composure and being able to win these big games so people know that we are here for business,” said Coyne.