DARTING THROUGH: Princeton High girls’ hockey player Ashley Dart heads up the ice in a game last winter. Last Friday, senior forward Dart and classmates Ella Quainton and Maggie Herring were honored on the program’s annual Senior Night as PHS hosted Pingry at Baker Rink. The Little Tigers fell 7-0 to the Big Blue. Last Monday, Dart picked up an assist as PHS lost 8-5 to Summit in the State Cup game. In upcoming action, the Little Tigers, now 2-6, face Rye Country Day (N.Y.) on February 2 at the Princeton Day School’s McGraw Rink. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

For Ashley Dart, joining the Princeton High girls’ hockey team as a freshmen in 2013 filled a void for her.

“It was something fun to do in the winter when I didn’t have anything else going on,” said Dart.

“My dad played ice hockey growing up and I figure-skated a little bit when I was younger.”

Finding a home with the program, Dart ended up having a lot of fun with her teammates.

“It has been really nice getting to know everyone the last four years and getting close with everyone,” said Dart. “You definitely develop a certain bond when you have 5 a.m. practices.”

Last Friday, those bonds were on display when Dart and classmates Ella Quainton and Maggie Herring were honored on the program’s annual Senior Night as PHS hosted Pingry at Baker Rink. The players made a poster for each senior and balloons hung over the glass on one side of the rink.

“It was really sweet, the girls went all out in terms of the celebration,” said a smiling Dart. “It was really nice with the posters and the balloons. All of my friends came when they walked us out.”

Dart started the game playing on a line with classmates Quainton and Herring.

“It was really nice, we always have fun together,” said Dart. “We are all good friends.”

While the game didn’t turn out as fun as PHS had hoped, falling 7-0 to the Big Blue, Dart is proud of the progress she has made this winter.

“Coach (Christian) Herzog is pushing us a little more since we are seniors, he expects a lot more from us this year than he has in the past,” said Dart, who tallied a goal and an assist in a 12-5 win over Immaculate Heart on January 12 and added an assist in an 8-5 loss to Summit last Monday in the State Cup game.

“I was definitely more in shape. I also sail the rest of the year so I keep in shape for that.”

With PHS facing Rye Country Day (N.Y.) on February 2 at Princeton Day School and the WILHMA (Women’s Interscholastic Hockey League of the Mid-Atlantic) tournament on the horizon, Dart is looking forward to the final push.

“We are just trying to do our best and keep it going strong for the end of the season,” said Dart, who has served as a manager for the PHS boys’ soccer team in addition to competing in hockey and sailing.

As she heads to college this fall, Dart is hoping to keep going in the game.

“There are definitely going to be some really fond memories of this,” said Dart. “I may be playing intramural or club next year for fun.”