STANDING TALL: Princeton High boys’ soccer coaches, from left, Ryan Walsh, Patrick Remboski, and Seb Ratzan show their support for Evan Gershkovich last week, wearing “#IStandWithEvan” T-shirts as PHS got ready to host Notre Dame. Gershkovich, a mainstay of the Tiger squad that won the 2009 Group 3 state championship, is a Wall Street Journal reporter who was arrested in Russia on March 30 on charges of espionage and is currently being held in the Lefortovo prison in Moscow. The PHS program and the Wall Street Journal organized the September 26 rally in support of Gershkovich, who has denied the allegations. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Wit. Intelligence. Persistence. Those are some of the qualities that stood out about Evan Gershkovich when he played for the Princeton High boys’ soccer program from 2006-2009.

“When he was here it didn’t take long to figure out how special he was,” said former PHS boys’ soccer head coach Wayne Sutcliffe in describing star midfielder Gershkovich, a mainstay of the Tiger squad that won the 2009 Group 3 state championship.

“He had an amazingly high soccer IQ. He was very bright academically and he was also one of the funniest guys on the team. He started every single match in his three seasons in 2007, 2008, and 2009. Evan never had a bad day — he persevered through everything. We won everything you could win in New Jersey soccer.”

Sutcliffe delivered that assessment at a rally at the PHS turf field held on September 26 before the Tiger boys’ soccer team hosted Notre Dame in support of Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter who was arrested on March 30 in Russia on charges of espionage and is currently being held in Lefortovo prison in Moscow.

The event drew a throng of friends, former teammates, and colleagues on a chilly, overcast, drizzly afternoon, most wearing “Free Evan” buttons. The PHS players and coaches wore white T-shirts with “#IStandWithEvan” emblazoned across the front.

In Sutcliffe’s view, Gershkovich’s strengths will help him deal with his current situation.

“My thought right now and my hope, along with all of us, is that he still has that resolve,” said Sutcliffe of Gershkovich, who has denied the charges. “As I am saying this and he is halfway around the world, he is handling it just like he would handle being in an extra time match where you have to be at your best. If I know Evan well enough, I know that he is pursuing that.”

Wall Street Journal Financial Enterprise Editor Ken Brown, a colleague and friend of Gershkovich, saw the rally as a part of the paper’s ongoing campaign to get Gershkovich released and an effort to bring some cheer to him.

“I hope we do two things today: raise attention, and we are going to have stories about Evan,” said Brown, noting that a similar rally was held at Bowdoin College, Gershkovich’s college alma mater. “Evan’s old team is wearing the T-shirts and is out here for him. We are going to send pictures to him and that should really lift his spirits at a time when he really needs spirits lifted.”

The PHS players responded to the ceremony with a spirited effort, edging Notre Dame 1-0 on a late goal by Matthew Kim to remain undefeated on the fall.

A former Tiger star, Thatcher Foster, one of Gershkovich’s former teammates and his friend, was heartened by the display of support.

“I just want to let you know how much it means to have you guys all here, the two teams here, just continuing to support Evan,” said Foster, who was joined at the event by another former teammate Max Reid. “I speak for Max when I say do anything you can to keep him in the front of your mind — talk about him, ask Wayne about him, write to the Wall Street Journal, write to your congressman. Keep him in the front because of how special he is, this is the goal of all of these events.”

Reid, for his part, wasn’t surprised at the turnout last week.

“Evan’s real superpower was connecting with people of different backgrounds, years, and personalities,” said Reid. “I think that is what made him such a great captain for our team, a great friend, and a great reporter.”

Foster sounded an optimistic note, hoping for a future ceremony including Gershkovich.

“Here’s to us coming here next year and having Evan speak to all of you and telling you it wasn’t that big of a deal,” said Foster.