LO AND BEHOLD: Princeton High girls’ lacrosse player Mariana Lopez-Ona controls the ball in 2017 action. Junior star Lopez-Ona will be a two-way threat in the midfield for PHS with her offensive skills and defensive prowess. The Little Tigers open their 2018 season with a game at Robbinsville on March 29. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Despite the series of nor’easters that pounded the area in March, the players on the Princeton High girls’ lacrosse team haven’t let the inclement weather dampen their spirits.

“We have had a couple of indoor practices but for the most part we have braved the weather and been outside,” said PHS head coach Sara Doran, who led the Little Tigers to a 14-8 record and the semifinals of the Central Jersey Group 4 Tournament last spring in her debut season at the helm of the program.

“We are on schedule with our training; the girls are looking good and are really excited about the season.”

Doran, whose team opens its 2018 campaign by playing at Robbinsville on March 29, is excited by the wealth of talent in the PHS midfield, led by senior Abaigeal Ryan.

“Abaigeal is the captain along with Sophia Naverette, who is leading the defense,” said Doran.

“They have done a fantastic job of bringing the team together. Abaigeal has really taken on a leadership role in a very positive way. I see her as being the quarterback on the offensive end. She will be a real asset to us.”

The Little Tigers boast a number of assets in the midfield, including junior Mariana Lopez-Ona, junior Kathryn DeMilt, junior Serena Bolitho, sophomore Lauren Rougas, and sophomore Eva Petrone.

“Mariana is looking stronger this year than ever; she is a real threat on both ends of the field,” said Doran.

“Kathryn is looking to possibly play in college. Serena Bolitho reminds me of Georgia McLean; she is that workhorse, doing everything all over the field, getting ground balls. Lauren is a multi-sport athlete, her main sport is soccer and she is very tall, very fast, and aggressive. She is a real threat. Eva is fast and very athletic and has real potential, too.”

On attack, the one-two punch of senior Margaret Jacobs and sophomore Shaylah Marciano will set the tone.

“Margaret will be leading up that unit with Shaylah, who was our lead assister last year,” said Doran. “Shayah goes back and forth, she plays the offensive midfield/attack position. She sees the field really well, she is just a great all-around athlete. She is a real asset for us.”

The defensive unit will be paced by senior Navarette along with sophomore Lila Doran, junior Olivia Intartaglia, and the Mavoides twins, juniors Megan and Morgan.

“We have got Sophia, who is leading that group and Lila is coming back; she led the team in caused turnovers last year,” said Doran.

“The Mavoides twins are club players also; they are very athletic and have very good defensive instincts. We also have Olivia, who is a basketball player. I find that multi-sport athletes have very good defensive instincts. Being a basketball player, she has all of those instincts naturally.”

Scrappy junior Grace Reardon has taken up the goalie position and has proven to be a quick study.

“Grace is a phenomenal athlete; she is a hockey player and has great instincts and reflexes,” said Doran.

“She has actually surprised us; she is doing a great job. She has never played goalie, so stepping in there takes a lot of courage. We have been working very hard with her in the offseason, and she has really stepped up.”

With so much talent on the field, Doran’s main point of emphasis has been getting her players to work together in order to maximize their potential.

“The key to success is using our depth and really keeping our heads up and looking for each other,” said Doran.

“We are practicing that all of the time and the girls know that my mantra is that you are more of a threat when you are moving the ball quickly and using everybody. It makes it much harder for the opponent. They are working super hard. We are really trying to get into shape; we are doing a lot of conditioning. It is all of those things put together. We are feeling very hopeful.”