FIRING AWAY: Princeton Day School girls’ lacrosse player Tessa Caputo fires the ball in recent action. Freshman attacker Caputo has made an immediate impact for PDS, posting hat tricks in the first two games of her career. Last Monday, Caputo tallied one goal and two assists to help PDS defeat Stuart Country Day 14-2 in the first round of the state Prep B tournament. The Panthers, now 4-0, play at the Peddie School on April 28. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

It hasn’t taken long for Tessa Caputo to fit in with the Princeton Day School girls’ lacrosse team.

In her high school debut, freshman attacker Caputo tallied three goals as PDS defeated Pennington 14-6 in its season opener on April 12.

Last week against Stuart Country Day, Caputo produced another hat trick as the Panthers built an 11-0 lead by halftime over the Tartans and cruised to a 12-0 victory in the April 20 contest.

“It is my first year playing with the team and they have been so welcoming,” said Caputo, who ended up with three goals and two assists on the day. “It is so nice to get to play with these girls.”

Against Stuart, PDS came out flying, jumping out to an 8-0 lead in the first nine minutes of the contest.

“We had a really strong start,” said Caputo. “We worked well, passing the ball, moving around and cutting. We tried to get some plays in and get some players in. A lot of players scored, that was really good.”

In the second half, PDS worked on moving the ball and running plays.

“It was passing it around and cutting, it was really good, getting everybody the ball,” said Caputo.

“They are in the Prep B tournament too so that is good to get a feel for the tournament and know who we are going to play and what the competition is going to be.”

For Caputo, getting the chance to compete for PDS has been a joy. “It is so good to be able to get out here, I didn’t know what I was expecting with everything,” said Caputo, who tallied one goal and two assists to help third-seeded PDS defeat sixth-seeded Stuart Country Day 14-2 in a rematch last Monday in the first round of the state Prep B tourney.

“I lost most of my middle school season and then the summer season. Even if it is a shortened season and starting late, it is just so good to get out here.”

The influence of her older brother, Cal, a former PDS boys’ lax star who is now playing at Williams College, helped get Caputo into the game.

“I started playing, probably when I was in second grade,” said Caputo. “He has helped my game so much, just watching him play and learning from him.”

Applying those lessons, Caputo is looking to be an offensive catalyst for the Panthers.

“I am just trying to do whatever I can, even if it is not goals,” said Caputo. “It is just being a good team quarterback to help the team effort.”

PDS head coach Jill Thomas appreciates Caputo’s contributions.

“This is the greatest compliment I can pay her – she can play,” said Thomas. “She had a one-handed pass and the one-handed block out here. She can play.”

The Panthers played well collectively against Stuart as the attack was clicking on all cylinders.

“We just came in, knowing that on the road, we have to play a little better,” said Thomas who got two goals and two assists from Sophie Jaffe in the regular season win over Stuart with Maggie Zarish-Yasunas adding two goals and Elle Anhut chipping in three assists.

“We were sharp today, we were getting the draws. The passes were good in settled play. The defense was good, it was a complete team effort all the way around.”

Supplementing the offense, senior star goalie Hailey Wexler recorded a shutout, something rarely seen in lacrosse.

“You have got Hailey coming out of the defensive end,” said Thomas.

“It is confidence, knowing that I can do a lot at this end and have that end taken care of. There is a reason she committed to the College of New Jersey. She is going to play. She is averaging 10, 11 saves a game.”

Going forward, Thomas is looking for her squad to focus on making the most of possession.

“We just have to keep. The ball is a piece of gold,” said Thomas, whose team improved to 4-0 with the win over Stuart in the rematch in the Prep B tourney and is next in action when it plays at the Peddie School on April 28 and will play at second-seeded Trinity Hall in the state Prep B semis on May 10.

“When you have it, you have got to possess it. You have got to move without it, you have got to talk and work together.”

But the key to continued success for PDS is just as much about team togetherness as it is about lax skills.

“We have a good vibe and that vibe has got to stay,” asserted Thomas.

“We started with that vibe, there is a special vibe. They are taking full advantage of the opportunity to have this back again.”

Caputo, for her part, senses a special unity on the Panthers. “There is such a good chemistry on the team,” said Caputo.

“I played field hockey too so I was getting to know all of the girls before. There are no ball hogs on the team that aren’t willing to share the ball so it is good.”