ABBY ROAD: Princeton Day School girls’ soccer player Abby Atkeson controls the ball in recent action. Senior midfielder and team captain Atkeson’s gritty play and leadership has helped PDS get off to a 13-0-1 start. The Panthers will be getting underway in the Mercer County Tournament this week where they are seeded third and host No. 14 Hun in a first round contest on October 19. Two-time defending champion PDS is seeded first in the state Prep B tourney and will host a semifinal contest in that competition on October 26. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

The players were hopping up and down on the field right before kickoff as the undefeated Princeton Day school girls’ soccer team played at undefeated Pennington.

For PDS senior midfielder and team captain Abby Atkeson, the clash was something she and her teammates had been looking forward to for a while.

“It was pretty intense because since freshman year, we have been wanting to put them away and every year we have gotten a little bit closer and closer,” said Atkeson.

“This game meant a lot to the team, especially knowing their record and knowing ours, both teams are so well respected. We were hyped coming into this game.”

The meeting of unbeatens turned out to be an intense battle of wills as the teams battled to a scoreless tie through 80 minutes of regulation and 20 minutes of overtime.

In reflecting on the 0-0 draw, Atkeson tipped her hat to the PDS defensive effort.

“Maddie Coyne and Becca Kuzmicz are holding together back there and so is Tulsi Pari, a freshman as well, which is pretty incredible,” said Atkeson.

“Coming in a game like this is usually pretty intimidating; she did a great job back there.”

Atkeson had her job description modified for the showdown against the Red Raiders.

“Usually I sweep in front of the back but we had some injuries and we were switching it up and seeing what we could do to make the best of the situation,” explained Atkeson.

Having lost in double overtime to the Red Raiders last season, the Panthers were determined to hold the fort in the extra sessions.

“On the sidelines we were really hyped, coming into double overtime was kind of a flashback,” said Atkeson.

“They got one in double OT last year, so there was definitely a mentality of ‘we are not letting it happen again.’”

While PDS didn’t get the win, Atkeson saw the performance as a harbinger of good things to come going into postseason play.

“This is definitely a step forward in the right direction,” asserted Atkeson. “I think this game gave us what we needed when we are going into tournaments.”

The Panthers will be starting play in the Mercer County Tournament this week where they are seeded third and host No. 14 Hun in a first round contest on October 19. Two-time defending champion PDS is seeded first in the state Prep B tourney and will host a semifinal contest in that competition on October 26.

In the view of PDS head coach Pat Trombetta, battling Pennington is exactly what his team needed to get ready for the challenges ahead.

“Coming in, we were treating this like a tournament game,” said Trombetta. This is a good test for the tournaments coming up. We knew we were going to get a big crowd for this game and the atmosphere under the lights. This is the type of game that you want to play in to prepare yourself for the tournament and these girls stepped up big.”

PDS stepped up at the defensive end, accomplishing the rare feat of holding the high-powered Red Raiders scoreless. “The defense was great overall,” said Trombetta.

“Maddie Coyne had a heck of a game, she organized the back, she was all over the field. Grace made a couple of big saves. I used Madison McCaw all over the field in different matchups and she stepped up to the plate and had a real special game today as well. Overall everybody I put in the game busted it; we are proud of the efforts today.”

There were some heart-stopping moments for PDS early in the second overtime as Pennington generated some scoring chances, one of which was cleared off the line by Coyne.

“It was a little scary, we had girls out there who had played the entire 100 minutes and you could see we were getting a little gassed at the end,” recalled Trombetta.

“It was our first overtime game of the season so they were tested for the first time in overtime. We bent a little bit but we didn’t break and we got the job done in the long run.”

Trombetta likes the way Atkeson is taking care of her business. “As far as a leader on the field, you can’t ask for any more from her,” said Trombetta.

“Her work ethic is second to none. She did a lot of good things for us on the field plus her leadership as captain. It is great to have her.”

The Panthers have been working well together as they have rolled through the regular season without a defeat.

“Looking at this team, they are really tight, chemistry-wise it is great,” said Trombetta, whose squad topped Bordentown 6-0 last Saturday to improved to 13-0-1.

“We have a great senior group that has been down the road before, going deep into tournaments and the MCT and the preps; that spills over to the younger players. They are good mentors to the younger players to prepare them to play in the big time experience like tonight.”

With PDS having won the 2013 MCT crown and two straight state Prep B titles, Trombetta believes the team is poised for another deep postseason run.

“It is definitely a step forward knowing that we can play with another undefeated team in the county,” said Trombetta.

“Tournament time is here. We got a tough road to the finals; we know what is in front of us but today shows that we can play with anybody so we are confident going in. I think the bottom line is we have got to start finding the net a little more in these big games. Defensively, we can play with anybody but offensively, we have to execute a little better in the final third.”

In Atkeson’s view, the Panthers can execute with anyone if they remain composed.

“We need to keep our heads cool,” said Atkeson. “It was good tonight, there was a big crowd. It was their senior night and we were still able to keep our heads. I know that we can do it going into tournament time.”