CLUTCH HIT: Princeton High field hockey player Delaney Keegan dribbles the ball last Saturday as PHS battled Phillipsburg in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) North Jersey Group 4 sectional semis. Senior star Keegan scored the winning goal in overtime as the second-seeded Tigers prevailed 2-1. PHS, who improved to 17-2 with the win, were slated to host fifth-seeded Ridge in the sectional final on November 7. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Delaney Keegan wasn’t about to do anything fancy when she got the ball on her stick early in overtime as the second-seeded Princeton High field hockey team battled third-seeded Phillipsburg in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) North Jersey Group 4 sectional semis last Saturday.

“It just came down to not thinking about it and just taking the shot,” said PHS senior star Keegan. “I was crossing my fingers and for a second I held my breath — Mia [Ramirez] gave me a great pass. I didn’t want to keep dribbling in, I just wanted to take a shot. I was just ripping at that point, just get it on cage, trust that Erin [Liggio] was going to be there. I knew she was down low so that really helped me out, it gave me comfort.”
There was no need for Liggio to tip in a rebound as Keegan’s blast flew past the Phillipsburg goal one minute into the extra session to give PHS a 2-1 win and punch its ticket to the sectional final.

The Tigers, who improved to 17-2 with the win, were slated to host fifth-seeded Ridge in the sectional final on November 7 with victor advancing to the state final on November 11.

For Keegan, who gave her signature fist pump after tallying the game-winning goal, making a sectional final in her final PHS campaign was special.

“We all really wanted this, we were really anxious for this win,” said Keegan, who is heading to Cornell next fall where she will be playing for its field hockey program. “It is amazing. I have never been in one, so it is pretty cool right before I leave. I am really excited for that.”
Showing how much they wanted it, the Tigers rallied from a 1-0 deficit to tie the game midway through the third quarter on a goal by Leah Rose-Seiden.

“Coming out we were flat in the second half, they scored on us in the first 20 seconds,” said Keegan. “I think that was our turn-on button. We all looked at each other and said, ‘It is not done. This is our time, let’s pump it up.’ And then we had that restart at the 25, and we just went in. I think it was Mia who hit it off the pads and Leah who finished it very nicely.”

The connection between Keegan and her fellow seniors helped the Tigers get it done against the Stateliners.

“We are a tight group, I have been playing with these girls for a really, really long time,” said Keegan, tearing up for a moment as she reflected on the bonds with her classmates. “I think since seventh grade I have known them. We have been playing in club when we got here. We have been playing our whole entire high school career together. It has been a completely different experience being able to be so close with my classmates. Every single chance we get to be out there, we leave it on the field because we want to just keep going with each other.”

PHS head coach Heather Serverson wasn’t surprised to see her players leave it all on the field in the overtime triumph.

“They are in it to win it, they knew we were doing well this season,” said Serverson. “We are in these playoff games and every little detail matters. They compete. It is something we have been working on, not giving up.”

Seeing that work pay off with a sectional final is rewarding for Serverson.

“It feels really good and it feels like we deserve it, we have worked really hard,” said Serverson. “We have some really good players all over the field. They play well together. They still like each other and they still enjoy coming to practice. It is awesome, I am happy to continue.”
In reflecting on the win over the Stateliners, Serverson credited the PHS defense with coming up big as senior goalie Annie Callahan led the way with 10 saves.

“Annie had a great game today, she was spot on; our defensive goal was not to give up any corners and we definitely reduced the number of corners that we gave up,” said Serverson. “We worked on our defensive footwork. It was just keeping it clean and trying to keep fouls and things happening outside of the 25 as opposed to under the 25 where it causes a corner. They stepped it up today. When they were trying to go around the center of our field, we were able to intercept the passes. They did an amazing job.”

The goal by Rose-Seiden gave the Tigers a big lift. “It was tough, Phillipsburg didn’t exactly make it easy for us, we had to work for it,” said Serverson. “I think just getting over that hump off getting one in was enough to just motivate everybody.”

With PHS having won an overtime battle against Allentown in the Mercer County Tournament semis and then going to OT against Hun in the MCT final before losing in a penalty shootout, Serverson was confident as the sectional semis headed into extra tie.

“OT is our jam; we practiced overtime so much in the preseason and they were so mad at me,” said Serverson. “I said, ‘We are going to need this,’ and look at how it has played out — twice now we have won in overtime and quickly.”

It was fitting to see Keegan end the game quickly. “That is what Delaney does, she gets the winning goal, she gets determined,” said Serverson. “If she has something on her mind, there is not much that can stop her. Phillipsburg didn’t make it easy for her. They are a quality team, it was not easy to get goals in there.”

Looking ahead to the clash with Ridge in the sectional final, Serverson was happy to get more time with her players, no matter the result.

“I know that they are a very strong program and that their seeding may be deceptive,” said Serverson. “We are just happy to be in the final game, we are going to play our best and see what happens. At a minimum, we get one more game together.”

Keegan, for her part, was confident that the Tigers would produce a strong effort against the Red Devils.

“We need to keep this energy and keep playing for each other,” said Keegan. “We keep just pushing through.”