NICK OF TIME: Princeton High boys’ soccer player Nick Matese, left, battles a foe in a game earlier this season. Senior center back and co-captain Matese has helped PHS get off to a superb start in state tournament action. Competing in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Central Jersey Group 4 tournament, the top-seeded Tigers defeated 16th-seeded Montgomery 4-0 in a first round contest on October 25 and then blanked eighth-seeded Jackson Memorial 3-0 in a quarterfinal last Saturday. PHS, now 18-2, hosts fourth-seeded Monroe in the semifinals on November 1 with the victor advancing to the sectional final on November 4. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

While Nick Matese was frustrated when the Princeton Hugh boys’ soccer team got edged 2-1 by nationally-ranked Pennington in the Mercer County Tournament final on October 21, he saw the squad’s performance as a plus going into the state tournament.

“After the game we were really disappointed but we were really proud with our effort, especially in the second half,” said PHS senior defender and co-captain Matese. “I was really impressed, especially with our midfield. They went toe-to-toe with those guys, it was unbelievable. We played some of the best we have played this year. We want to be snowballing wins going into the playoffs, but having that kind of confidence boosting that we can play with the best of the best  was a good thing.”

As the top-seeded Tigers hosted 16th-seeded Montgomery last Wednesday in the first round of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Central Jersey Group 4 sectional, Matese and his teammates were determined to take care of business and get back on the winning track.

“It was just get the job done, one game at a time,” said Matese. “Anything can happen. In my previous two years we have gone out in the first round.”

While the PHS offense was sluggish in the really going, the Tigers broke through as sophomore Chase Hamerschlag made a big run and blasted a shot into the back of the net.

“I think there was a little bit of frustration in the first few plays,” said Matese. “We didn’t get things going, people were a little bit nervous. Getting that first goal calmed us down.”

In the second half, junior Azariah Breitman tallied three goals as PHS got rolling and went on to a 4-0 win.

“He was definitely trying to get us all focused in on this game,” said Matese. “He really came out strong, especially in the second half.”

The Tiger back four of Matese, Jamie Reynolds, Patrick Kenah, and Connor Hewitt along with goalie Nicholas Holmelund was strong as usual, leading the way as PHS posted its 16th shutout of the season.

“I think our team all together takes pride in not allowing goals,” said Matese who helped the Tigers record another shutout as they topped eighth-seeded Jackson Memorial 3-0 last Saturday in the sectional quarterfinals as they improved to 18-2 and will host fourth-seeded Monroe in a semifinal contest on November 1 with the victor advancing to the final on November 4.

“We knew even if things might not start going our way offensively, if we can just lock it down we will be in the game. That is our mindset every game.”

Matese looks to bring a unflappable mindset to the pitch. “I definitely like to lead by example, I am vocal on the field,” said Matese. “I try to calm the team down and be a solid presence.”

PHS head coach Ryan Walsh acknowledged that his squad was a bit nervy in the early going against Montgomery.

“We were trying to come out with a fast start here, I thought it was a little bit slow,” said Walsh. “Montgomery did some things well and we had to adjust a little bit. I thought in the second half we really found our groove. We were keeping the ball a lot better and putting the ball in the back of the net.”

Walsh credited Breitman with getting into a one-man groove in the second half.

“Azariah has had a phenomenal year, he has scored some big goals for us and is such a gamer,” said Walsh. “He spent a lot of time last week defending for us, so it was good to see him score some goals here.”

Hamerschlag’s goal was also good to see for Walsh. “He has a great year coming off the bench,” said Walsh. “He is an energy guy, he is only a sophomore. He is a young kid but he is big, strong and when he comes on they call it hammer time.”

The Tiger defense put the hammer down on the Cougars. “Our shape was good overall,” said Walsh. “We kept them off the scoreboard and that is the important part there.”

Surviving and advancing was the most important thing for the Tigers.

“The first one is always tricky in a Group 4 tournament,” said Walsh. “Every game is a challenge because of the mixture of the Colonial Valley Conference, Greater Middlesex Conference, and the Shore Conference. All of those conferences are so different in their styles. When it is intermingling, there are weird matchups.”

Matese, for his part, believes that PHS will be up for the challenges ahead.

“It is still going to be one game at a time, no opponent is too weak for us,” said Matese. “We have to make sure that we come out strong every game. We definitely want to go as far as we can because we have big hopes for this group right now. We want to enjoy every moment that we can.”