FRESH APPROACH: Princeton Day School field hockey player Val Radvany fires the ball up the field in recent action. Last Thursday, freshman star Radvany tallied a goal and an assist to help PDS top Northern Burlington 2-0. On Monday, Radvany chipped in an assist as the Panthers edged South Hunterdon 2-1 to move to 3-10. PDS hosts Hopewell Valley on October 14 before starting play in the Mercer County Tournament. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Having lost nine straight games, the Princeton Day School field hockey team was determined to end that victory drought as it hosted Northern Burlington last Thursday.

“We just came out really hard; we wanted to get the ball in the goal in the goal and win,” said PDS freshman midfielder/back Val Radvany.

“We have been so close in some of our games to winning and we just haven’t been able to get the ball right in the goal. I think today we took our opportunities.”

The precocious Radvany took advantage of opportunities, assisting on one goal and scoring another as PDS prevailed 2-0.

With the Panthers dominating possession from the opening whistle, Radvany helped the PDS cash in less than five minutes into the contest as she fired a ball into the circle that was directed past the goalie by sophomore star Madison Mundenar.

“I am going to shoot the ball and I hope that someone is ready,” said Radvany, reflecting on the tally.

“We had so many opportunities in the beginning of the game to just put it in. I was just hoping.”

With 16:52 left in the half, Radvany found the back of the cage as she blasted a one-timer past the goalie.

“On that shot I miss the ball sometimes so I have to keep my head down and just hit it,” said Radvany.

In Radvany’s view, the victory over Northern Burlington will help the Panthers get their heads up.

“We have been so close to winning; it has really been getting us down,” said Radvany.

“Now going into the tournament, I think we will have a good confidence boost to go out there and play our best.”

Radvany has gained confidence since the beginning of the season. “It has been hard to come out as a freshman and come out and play at the high school level but I think it has really helped me grow as a player,” asserted Radvany, who chipped in an assist as the Panthers edged South Hunterdon 2-1 last Monday to move to 3-10.

“I have improved a lot. I think I see the field better and my skills have improved. I have done better.”

PDS head coach Heather Farlow believes that Radvany is getting better and better as the season goes on.

“Val did a great job, she has really stepped up in the last few weeks,” said Farlow.

“She is a hockey head. She has really embraced playing the position that she is in. She is making a difference.”

Farlow was happy with how her team stepped up collectively in the win over Northern Burlington as it dominated possession throughout.

“It was pretty apparent when I came out with the girls that everyone was excited and energetic,” said Farlow.

“One of our goals was to not let them cross the 50. We have been working on passing and moving and playing a passing game. When we do that, we play well and we create opportunities. It was good that we finished today.”

Farlow acknowledged that her young squad experienced some growing pains in a week that saw the Panthers lose 1-0 to Lawrenceville on October 3, 3-1 to Pennington on October 5, and 7-1 to Hill on October 6 before breaking through against the Greyhounds.

“We play a lot of games and we played a lot of games back to back in a short time so that is tough,” said Farlow.

“They played so well on Saturday against Lawrenceville. I think the girls are a little disappointed that it was decided by a stroke. We really thought we were in it to win it. We are young so sometimes we have those ups and downs. It is high school, you would like to be a well-oiled machine but you are not always.”

As PDS heads into the Mercer County Tournament this weekend, Farlow believes her players will be up for the challenge.

“We thought we played Lawrenceville very strong and we played Notre Dame strongly (a 2-1 loss on September 30) as well,” said Farlow, whose team hosts Hopewell Valley on
October 14 in its regular season finale.

“We think that wherever we are seeded for the tournament, we have a shot just like anybody else.”

Radvany, for her part, is looking forward to her first shot at postseason play.

“I think that we played such a great game against Lawrenceville that we just need to come out here like that,” said Radvany.

“We are a competitive team, even though our record may not show that. I think we can compete with any team and we have to keep that in our minds.”