FINISHING TOUCH: Princeton Day School girls’ soccer player Brooke Smukler, left, controls the ball in a 2017 game. Last Thursday, senior forward Smukler tallied a goal and an assist to help PDS defeat Lawrenceville 3-0. The Panthers, who topped the Shipley School (Pa.) 3-1 last Saturday to improve to 7-1-1, play at the Hill School (Pa.) on October 3 before hosting Pingry on October 5 and Springside Chestnut Hill (Pa.) on October 9. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Brooke Smukler got herself in the right place at the right time for the Princeton Day School girls’ soccer team as it played at the Lawrenceville School last Thursday.

Early in the first half in the matchup of rivals, senior forward Smukler found the back of the net to give PDS a 1-0 lead.

“Ariana [Jones] did a really nice job of using her body and physicality; she used her head, which she is great at, and just got it up there,” said Smukler.

“Then Ali Surace and some other girls in the middle just bodied some people and the goalie came out and I hit it into the left corner.”

Minutes later, Smukler helped set up a goal by Ava Mattson. “We all crashed the goal; I was charging the goalie and took her out of the play,” recalled Smukler. “Ava came in and slid it in there and that was nice.”

Holding off a charge by the Big Red, PDS ended up winning 3-0 as Jones added a late goal.

“You never really know, especially with Lawrenceville, we have always been big rivals with them,” said Smukler, whose goal gave her tallies in four straight games.

“We definitely wanted to keep up our energy and not drop because you never know what is coming with them. The third goal was really crucial. Ariana stepped up and got that for us because Lawrenceville was pushing pretty hard in the second half.”

Determined to have a big senior season, Smukler pushed hard over the offseason to be at her best.

“I tried to stay fit this sumner; I did the fitness packet,” said Smukler. “I definitely want this and I want a big year for our team. I think just my energy has been really high.”

With the Panthers improving to 7-1-1 with a 3-1 win at the shipley School (Pa.) last Saturday, it appears that they are on track to a very big year.

“We have been working on communication on the field,” said Smukler.

“That has really helped across the field. Our cohesiveness as a team has really gotten better and our energy has been up there. We have been really hyped up for all of these games.”

PDS head coach Pat Trombetta likes the hyped-up play he has been getting from Smukler.

“Brooke’s energy on the field is contagious, which is great to watch,” said Trombetta.

“She is doing a good job, whether holding the ball up as a target player or actually receiving the ball on the run and going to goal. Her game this year has completely come together. She is a physical presence out there and worked on her fitness. She is having a very good year.”

Junior forward Jones has become a dangerous presence for PDS around the goal.

“Ariana is excellent. She finished the second half of last season well and we wanted her to play throughout this season the way she finished last season,” said Trombetta of Jones, who scored all three goals in PDS’ win over Shipley last Saturday. “We are seeing that; she is a threat any time she gets the ball on her feet.”

In reflecting on the win over Lawrenceville, Trombetta liked what he saw at both ends of the field.

“The thing that impressed me the most was that we had a complete game all around, offensively and defensively,” said Trombetta.

“We won some big games previously but I think this game, from start to finish, was probably our best game.”

A surplus of talent through the roster has been another factor in the team’s strong start.

“We are getting a lot of contributions off the bench,” said Trombetta, noting that freshmen Aislyn Macco, Mattson, and Surace have been putting in some good minutes. “I haven’t had a team with this kind of depth as far as bringing players off the bench and making instant contributions.”

Junior goalie Riley Felsher has been making a big contribution. “We have been working with Riley getting off the line and coming off the line aggressively,” said Trombetta of Felsher, who recorded eight saves against Lawrenceville.

“She is a whole different keeper; she has been coming on recently for us. I think it is her fourth or fifth clean sheet this year.”

With the Panthers playing at the Hill School (Pa.) on October 3 before hosting Pingry on October 5 and Springside Chestnut Hill (Pa.) on October 9, Trombetta is looking for his team to keep up its aggressive play.

“We know what October brings as far as the schedule, so we want some momentum going into that,” said Trombetta.

“We are starting to come together. It is nice to see that offensive attack. It is fun team to watch.”

Smukler, for her part, senses that PDS could end up having a lot of fun this fall.

“We want to come out with a championship this year,” said Smukler. “I think we are getting better each game and we are getting solid wins against solid teams.”