GOING FOUR IT: Princeton Day School girls’ lacrosse player Bridget Kane races upfield last spring. Senior attacker/midfielder Kane provides hustle and skill to a PDS squad that is going after its fourth straight state Prep B title. The Panthers get their 2018 campaign underway when they host the Hill School (Pa.) on March 28. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Jill Thomas believes firmly in the maxim that it is not where you start, it is where you finish.

As Princeton Day School girls’ lacrosse head coach Thomas looks at her 2018 squad, she is hoping that a stellar group of nine seniors will achieve a big finish, having their sights set on a fourth consecutive state Prep B title.

“It is impressive for any class to graduate with that,” said Thomas who guided the Panthers to a 10-4 record in 2017 and was recently inducted into the New Jersey Lacrosse Hall of Fame.

“We know it is there, we are not hiding from it. That is their No. 1 goal, obviously. There are nine of these seniors that still play. They won it as freshmen and that is impressive in and of itself.”

A quartet of those seniors, Kate Bennett, Kyra Hall, Bridget Kane, and Madison Mundenar will spearhead the PDS attack and serve as co-captains.

“It is great; I don’t think you pick up where you left off, I think you just keep going,” said Thomas, noting that sophomores Julia Lach and Ellie Schofield along with juniors Gwen Allen and Maddy Birch also figure to be key offensive contributors.

“They know each other well. Everyone is going to be coming after us so we have to do some things a little bit different and they are. I think it is good, they are such great leaders along with the other seniors.”

The other five seniors, Emma Dries, Elena Schomburg, Summer Patterson, Elizabeth Brennan, and Kaylah Bland, are fortifying the defensive unit.

“They have done a real good job,” said Thomas, whose backline will also include junior Val Radvany, sophomore Madison Izzard, and sophomore Maggie Amaral. “It is really coming together nicely.”

Sophomore goalie Maggie Madani is coming along nicely after a superb debut campaign.

“Maggie has a year under her belt,” said Thomas. “She had a great camp and she worked all year so we are real excited about that.”

Thomas is also excited about the four freshmen, Caroline Topping, Alex Hollander, Ella McIntyre, and Jordan Young, who have joined the Panthers.

“It is a great blend of old and new, the freshmen play with them in the winter league,” said Thomas. “I don’t keep a freshman unless they are going to see time on the field, otherwise they would play JV.”

With PDS opening its 2018 season by hosting the Hill School (Pa.) on March 28, Thomas believes her squad possesses the mentality to make the most of its time on the field.

“We have to learn some things early and know that everybody is going to be after us,” said Thomas.

“We have to stay focused and just keep that little voice in the back of our minds saying ‘eyes on the prize.’ They know how to win. More importantly, they learn when they lose and that is going to keep us focused.”