BIRTHDAY GIFT: Princeton High boys’ soccer player Harvey Smith, left, goes after the ball last Wednesday as top-seededPHS battled fourth-seeded Monroe in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Central Jersey Group 4 sectional semifinals. Freshman midfielder Smith, who was celebrating his 15th birthday that day, scored on a second half free kick to give PHS the margin of victory in a 2-1 triumph. Last Saturday, Smith contributed an assist as PHS defeated second-seeded Howell 5-1 in the sectional final. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Harvey Smith turned 15 last Wednesday and it ended up being a birthday he will never forget.

With the top-seeded Princeton High boys’ soccer team knotted in a 1-1 tie with fourth-seeded Monroe midway through the second half of a NJSIAA Central Jersey Group 4 sectional semifinal clash, freshman midfielder Smith blasted a free kick that caromed off the crossbar and went into the back of the net to put the Tigers up 2-1.

The precocious Smith was calm as he stood over the ball. “I just looked up and I thought it is in a good range,” said Smith. “It is only 20 yards out. I have practiced it a lot and I can just hit them.”

Smith proceeded to hit the ball cleanly. “When I first hit it, I felt like wow this could go in but then towards the end, I saw it going for the crossbar so I got worried,” said Smith. “I thought it was going to ping off the crossbar but then it pinged down and in.”

Smith’s moment of brilliance proved to be the margin of victory as PHS held off Monroe to prevail 2-1.

“It is a special feeling to be in a sectional final and getting the winning goal,” said Smith. “But we have to keep going and try to win the sectional and state semis and finals.”

Last Saturday, PHS produced another special performance as it pulled away to a 5-1 win over second-seeded Howell in the sectional final and improved to 20-2.

“I just think throughout the team, we are all motivated, we all help each other,” said Smith in reflecting on the team’s qualities. “In training, we train hard to improve everyone. We are all just very happy to be on the team and to be here.”

In carving out his role with the team, Smith has been helped by his older brother, PHS junior midfielder Archie.

“It is easier for me because I have a brother; he has been friends with the other players,” said Smith, who had an assist in the win over Howell. “Me and him are tight so it is a lot easier to make friends.”

The brothers have carried that tight connection into the field. “I feel a very good chemistry with him,” said Smith. “We are always giving each other one-two passes.”

PHS head coach Ryan Walsh credits the younger Smith with giving the Tigers some heady play in his debut campaign.

“Harvey has become a great set piece taker here,” said Walsh, whose team hosts South Jersey champion Washington Township on November 8 in the Group 4 state semis with victor advancing to the final on November 11. “He is only a freshman but in his mind he is senior. He is a mature kid. He is really connected with our whole team because of his brother. He has been around the guys for a while. On the field, him and his brother always know where each other is without even looking. It is a great feel and that is why they are so good in the middle for us.”

Smith, for his part, sees himself as a cool customer on the pitch.

“I bring a composure,” said Smith. “I feel when I am on the ball, it just calms people down because I find the pass instead of just kicking it all of the time.”