GALE FORCE: Princeton Day School senior defender James Fragale pressures a foe in recent action. Last Wednesday, he made some big plays down the stretch to help top-seeded PDS edge second-seeded Montclair Kimberley Academy 6-5 in the state Prep B title game. The triumph gave the Panthers a final record of 15-1 and marked its second championship of the spring as the program had won its first-ever Mercer County Tournament title earlier this month. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

James Fragale realized that the Princeton Day School boys’ lacrosse team faced a challenge in containing Montclair Kimberley Academy in the state Prep B title game last Wednesday.

“We couldn’t overlook them, the coaches brought in six films for us to watch,” said senior defender Fragale.

“We got prepared for it, we knew what we were facing. No. 17 (Joe Strain) is definitely a huge guy, he is just big and aggressive and we don’t have too much size on our defense so that was a tough matchup for us.”

With PDS clinging to a 6-5 lead in the waning seconds of the contest, Fragale found himself matched against Strain as he barreled towards the crease, looking to tie up the game. Fragale came up big, utilizing a stick check to knock the ball away and preserve the title for the Panthers.

“I saw a stick go up and I just went after it, there was no thinking in that situation,” recalled Fragale.

Fragale was ready to do whatever was necessary to help the defensive unit hold the fort. “Our defense is all about working together and playing as one,” said Fragale. “That is where we play our best.”

In reflecting on a remarkable spring for the Panthers which saw them post a 15-1 record and win the program’s first Mercer County Tournament title to go with the Prep B crown, Fragale said unity among the players was the key to success.

“It’s the word ‘together’ and it is how much we love each other,” asserted Fragale.

“I love every guy on this team. That has made the difference, that is what put us on top of everybody we played this year.”

The team’s core of seniors has become particularly close over their time at PDS.

“We spent four years together so we have a bond,” said Fragale. “I don’t think I will ever forget those guys. I will keep in touch with them my whole life; the chemistry there is undeniable.”

Fragale has worked closely together with classmate Amir Melvin to spearhead a stingy Panther defensive unit.

“It has always been a balance between me and Amir running the defense,” said Fragale, who is headed to RPI where he will be playing for its men’s lacrosse program.

“When I have an off day, Amir picks it up. At the end of the first half, Amir had a bad day and I had to pick up his slack to get the team going. The balance with me and Amir working together controls the defense.”

The defense picked up the slack to keep the game from slipping away in a frantic fourth quarter as the Cougars repeatedly pressed forward, trailing by one goal.

“The tempo got up and it started moving fast; we were kind of losing control,” recalled Fragale. “Our mindset was slow it down to take control of the game.”

PDS head coach Rich D’Andrea believed his team was prepared to come through in a pressure cooker game.

“You look at the types of games that we have been fortunate enough to win this year; we have been talking about the big game resume all year,” said D’Andrea.

“The one goalers are the ones that are the tough ones. I think that these boys want themselves in that situation whereas a few years ago it was something where we were still learning that experience.”

In D’Andrea’s view, playing a series of tough foes helped pave the way for the program’s second Prep B title in the last three years.

“I am a one at a time guy; for us, the target has been the Mercer County Tournament and the Prep Bs,” said D’Andrea, who got two goals apiece from the Tuckman brothers, Jonah and Elon, in the title contest with Coby Auslander chipping in a goal and an assist and Connor Fletcher and Justin Herrup each picking up an assist.

“We play a really competitive schedule. We play all the Prep A teams; we play a lot of the competitive independent schools. So for us it has been about getting here and luckily we were able to get one today.”

D’Andrea knows he was lucky to have such a strong group of seniors this season. “I remember seeing these guys when they were in 8th grade with coach Peter Higgins at practice,” said D’Andrea of the team’s Class of 2016 which included co-captains Fletcher and Jonah Tuckman along with Joey Levine, Noam Yakoby, and Aiden Jones, in addition to Fragale and Melvin.

“It was one of the most talented 8th grade classes. It was my first year here and I remember being really excited for when these guys would be seniors. They lived up to the hype. They are humble, hard working and they really go to bat for each others. I think what most impresses me is through the years here the classes continue to push each other and with this group, they really, really set the bar high, not even in terms of wins but just in terms of being a good teammate and what they have done for each other. It is something that makes me love coming to work every day.”

The work of Fragale along the back line has impressed D’Andrea. “James has been invaluable in terms of senior leadership and on field play,” said D’Andrea.

“He is one of the best on ball defenders that we have and one of the best clearing defenders that we have had since I have been here. Between him and Amir down low, they lead the defense. They give us really strong senior leadership. It has been great because we have some other guys like Jack Amaral, who have really grown.”

With MKA putting the heat on down the stretch, the PDS defense had to come up big.

“We knew this was going to be another close one, a one goaler coming in, but our defense held strong,” said D’Andrea.

“Strain has a big body. We watched a lot of film of him, he is a big boy and he is one of their senior leaders. He has got that big righty release and when he dodges downhill, that is something that gets your attention for sure. We were lucky that our guys stopped him at the end.”

Coming through in a close one to end the season with a second title put a smile on the face of a relieved D’Andrea.

“This is special,” said D’Andrea. “I haven’t gotten a whole lot of sleep the last few weeks here. It is the first time in our history that we have won both MCT and Prep in the same year.”

Fragale, for his part, won’t soon forget being part of history this spring.

“It is unbelievable,” said Fragale. “We won this once in my sophomore year but I didn’t really play so it didn’t mean as much to me. To come back my senior year and win, it meant the world to me.”