JUST RESULT: Princeton High boys’ lacrosse player Justin Marciano battles a foe in a game earlier this season. Last Saturday, senior midfielder Marciano contributed four assists to help third-seeded PHS defeat sixth-seeded Hopewell Valley 7-5 in the Mercer County Tournament quarterfinals. The Little Tigers, who improved to 7-6 with the win, were slated to face seventh-seeded Allentown in the MCT semis on May 9 with the victor advancing to the title game on May 11 to be played at WW/P-North. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Having defeated Hopewell Valley 9-5 earlier in the week, the Princeton High boys’ lacrosse team struggled to get on track when the foes met for a rematch in the Mercer County Tournament quarterfinals last Saturday.

The rivals were locked in a scoreless tie for the first 11 minutes of their MCT clash.

PHS senior star midfielder Justin Marciano acknowledged that the Bulldogs learned from the May 2 meeting.

“I thought we got a lot of good experience from playing them the first time but they definitely learned a lot of tips and tricks on us,” said Marciano.

“They were locking off Johnny (Lopez-Ona), which was a real crucial part of our offense in the first game.”

Marciano helped get the Little Tiger offense started, assisting on two goals by Eamonn McDonald as PHS forged ahead 2-0 early in the second quarter.

“We have been playing for years together; he is an amazing player,” said Marciano, reflecting on his connection with McDonald.

“He cuts off the ball really, really well, he feeds off my dodges a lot. I am always looking inside to him and Johnny on these cuts that we have. He is a great player, that is what you expect from guys like that.”

Continuing to look inside as the game unfolded, Marciano ended up with four assists as PHS earned a 7-5 win over the feisty Bulldogs. The Little Tigers, who improved to 7-6, were slated to face seventh-seeded Allentown in the MCT semis on May 9 with the victor advancing to the title game on May 11 to be played at WW/P-North.

“I felt that we controlled the pace a lot better,” said Marciano in assessing the team’s second half effort.

“Hopewell played a smart game just like they did the last time where they tried to hold it behind and kill a lot of clock and just chip away. Overall, we definitely pulled away at the end, setting the pace. We were pulling them out in more open sets; they have to pressure us defensively.”

In reflecting on his role for PHS, Marciano looks to impact the team at both ends of the field.

“I see myself as a set-up guy; the attack is really solid and they have been for the past few years now,” said Marciano.

“I play on both sides of the ball. I play basketball, my quick feet help on the defensive end too.”

Fighting through a five-game losing streak in mid-April against some powerful foes has helped steel the Little Tigers for postseason play.

“We have seen a lot of progress and we learned from those one-goal loss games like Scotch Plains, Robbinsville, and PDS. I think a big thing for us is getting better every single day, building on our mistakes and our losses, and not focusing on them but taking pieces from them.”

In Marciano’s view, PHS is poised to peak at the right time goes for the MCT title and then heads into the state tourney.

“We are definitely progressing in that direction; there are the simple mistakes we have eliminated,” said Marciano.

“It is getting the ball in the box with good passes and stuff like that. It is really about our sharpness. We have a really good functioning offense and our defense is phenomenal. They are definitely the beasts of our team.”