TOUGHING IT OUT: Princeton High girls’ lacrosse player Sarah Henderson, left, unloads the ball in a game last season. Last Thursday, Henderson, who has bounced back from serious injuries over the years, came up big on her Senior Day, tallying one goal and four assists to help PHS defeat Robbinsville 11-7. Last Monday, Henderson scored a goal as sixth-seeded PHS fell 13-8 to third-seeded Notre Dame in the quarterfinal round of the Mercer County Tournament. The Tigers, now 10-6, host Hun School on May 13. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

For Sarah Henderson, making it to her Senior Day for the Princeton High girls’ lacrosse team last Thursday proved to be a bit of an ordeal.

During her high school career, Henderson has dealt with serious injuries, suffering a torn ACL and undergoing major foot surgery along the way.

“It is definitely a challenge, me and my teammate Sylvie [LeBouef] have gone through really similar things,” said star attacker Henderson. “We really help support each other. We both play low attack and we talk through it. Like when our knee is hurting or we are having the same struggles with our brace, having to tape it. We are able to talk to each other and that is a really great connection to have because we understand the struggle of it.”

Going through injury struggles has required Henderson to modify her game.

“When I look back at some freshmen pictures or videos, it is tough,” said Henderson, who plays with a large brace on her right knee. “I was able to play midfield and I was able to run a lot more. I was definitely more agile. I have just had to adapt and realize that the driving is not as easy for me. It is taking a step back and realizing I can be a good assister for this team.”

As PHS hosted Robbinsville last Thursday, Henderson emerged as the top passer for the Tigers, tallying one goal and four assists as the Tigers rallied from a 6-4 halftime deficit to prevail 11-7.

“I have learned a lot from my sister, I was watching one of her games last night,” said Henderson, referring to older sister Shoshi, a former PHS standout and current star for Pomona College. “Just watching her play, we have very similar styles. It was just taking a step back and being patient. A lot of the time when I drive in, I am driving to make space so I can get the pass.”

PHS showed patience collectively in overcoming the Ravens.

“Coming off the halftime, we were just talking about getting our energy up and going out there with everything we have,” said Henderson. “We really wanted to come out today and show who we are as Princeton girls’ lacrosse. We just realized that if we can work together, we can get those goals and we can beat them. It worked out, our attack really shined today.”

Working with classmate and PHS leading scorer Devlin has helped Henderson pile up the assists.

“Riley is a great cutter, it is easy to get an assist to her,” said Henderson. “She is going to have a finish, she can shoot from almost any angle. She has a beautiful lefty shot as well. I know when she is cutting in, even if it is not the most ideal, if I can get it to her stick, she is going to have a nice finish. I love assisting her.”

Midway through the third quarter, Henderson found herself on on the receiving end of a nice assist from sophomore Leah Bornstein as she scored a goal.

“That was nice, we have practiced a lot of 4 v 3s before the game for man-up,” said Henderson, who scored a goal last Monday as sixth-seeded PHS fell 13-8 to third-seeded Notre Dame in the quarterfinal round of the Mercer County Tournament and moved to 10-6. “We were man-up in that situation and it was oh this is exactly what we practiced before every single game so put it in. Leah just saw me.”

PHS head coach Katie Federico liked the way her players executed what they have practiced in the win over Robbinsville.

“We haven’t had many close games like this, this season, they have been kind for lopsided on either end,” said Federico. “It was really great to have that today. Every single person contributed, it was just a beautiful effort for every part of the field. I said to them we are so proud of each and every one of them.”

Federico was particularly proud of the defensive effort by the Tigers as they stifled the Ravens, holding them to one goal in the second half.

“Allegra [Brennan] really knocked it out of the park today in goal, she had some great saves,” said Federico of her senior goalie who ended up with eight saves. “The defense just shut them down. Their communication, their taking, and their slides was wonderful.”

Sophomore midfielder Bornstein has a wonderful game against Robbinsville, tallying four goals and one assist.

“She is so feisty, she has really come out strong this year,” said Federico. “She just doesn’t stop, it was amazing. I love her and she is learning a lot. She has been great on the draw, getting the ground balls off the draw.”

Federico loves the work she is getting from Henderson and Devlin.

“Sarah had an awesome game; she was seeing those cuts so beautifully and was so patient, that really helped her,” said Federico of Henderson, who has contributed 10 goals and a team-high 29 assists so far this season. “Riley is a very unselfish player, and has become such a leader on this team this year. I said to her, ‘The girls look up to you, you have set that standard for them.’ She is teaching them. It is great to see that because she had it when she was a freshman. It is beautiful watching her, how she can weave in and out. I am always amazed. I don’t know how she does it. Sarah and Riley have had some really nice connections. Today it was great.”

The program’s senior class is leaving quite a legacy. “It really is hard to put into words, I love this group,” said Federico of the squad’s Class of ’24 which includes Julia Engelhart, Joci Lee, Theona Hsu, Phoebe Steiger, Ava Caruso, and Avery Gallagher in addition to Henderson, LeBouef, Devlin, and Brennan. “Watching them grow since their freshman year has just been so nice. They are so supportive of each other and the underclassmen. They love the team, they love the camaraderie and the friendships that they have. They are having fun. To me, that is one of the greatest things that can come out of a high school team. I love it because those are the memories you look back on and you remember.”

Federico is hoping that the Tigers can make some special memories down the stretch as they have rebounded from a disappointing 7-12 campaign in 2023.

“Last year was hard, I think everybody has had a year of maturity and just confidence,” said Federico, whose team hosts Hun School on May 13. “They have confidence in themselves and each other now. That has made such a difference.”

Henderson and her classmates have focused on making a difference for the program.

“I have been playing with a lot of these girls, even before PHS like with PGLax and in middle school; it is definitely sad to see the end of an era,” said Henderson, who is headed to Cornell University this fall.

“We have four senior captains (Lee and Steiger in addition to Henderson and Devlin), we are the ones leading the team. We are trying to set a legacy for next year, teaching the team who we are as Princeton lacrosse so they can play the same way that we do now.”