CHIMING IN: Princeton Day School boys’ soccer player Stephen “Chima” Chukumba, right, dribbles the ball last Thursday as PDS hosted Rutgers Prep in the state Prep B semifinals. Sophomore forward Chukumba scored the go-ahead goal as second-seeded PDS defeated third-seeded Rutgers Prep 3-1. The Panthers, who improved to 8-6-3 with the won, were slated to play at top-seeded Montclair Kimberley Academy in the Prep B final on October 30. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Having moved into the starting lineup for the Princeton Day School boys’ soccer varsity squad this fall after playing mainly for the JV team in 2017, Stephen “Chima” Chukumba took a while to get up to speed.

“It is just having to play a little longer game,” said sophomore forward Chukumba, who scored 20 goals for JV team. “It is greater intensity, it is a lot quicker pace.”

In recent play, Chukumba has started to find his finishing touch, scoring a goal in an 8-2 win over Hun on October 9 and adding a tally in a 3-0 victory over Morristown-Beard in the opening round of the state Prep B tournament on October 12.

Last Thursday, Chukumba found the back of the net to give the second-seeded Panthers a 2-1 lead late in the first half against third-seeded Rutgers Prep in the state Prep B semis.

“I was just waiting for my striker Wesley Leggett to give it up to me so I could just put it in,” said Chukumba.

The Panthers pulled away to a 3-1 victory as they improved to 8-6-3 and advanced to the Prep B final where they were slated to play at top-seeded Montclair Kimberley Academy on October 30.

Chukumba acknowledged that PDS got off to a slow start against Rutgers Prep as the game was tied at 1-1 for most of the first half before his tally and a second half score by Leggett which gave the Panthers a 3-1 win.

“It took me a minute to get warmed up,” said Chukumba. “Once we all got into the groove in the second half, we were playing the ball around really easily. They didn’t get into their half of the field.”

Playing with senior star Leggett, who has committed to attend UConn and play for its men’s soccer team, has been a key factor as Chukumba has gotten into a groove offensively.

“It helps a lot, he is a great player and a great striker,” said Chukumba. “It helps me get through the defense, he plays me balls. I put it back to him and he finishes. It is simple.”

Keeping things simple has helped PDS produced a late surge as it has gone 3-1-1 in its last five games.

“We are playing our best soccer,” asserted Chukumba. “It is almost over so we have to play our best.”

PDS head coach Ollie Hilliker thought his team played some of its best soccer of the season in the second half against Rutgers Prep.

“We talked about what we needed to do in the second half with regards to the quality as well as the effort,” said Hilliker.

“In the second half you could see the difference in the moving of the ball. The passing was at a completely different level. We were able to dominate the half and completely shut them out.”

After dominating at the JV level last fall,  Chukumba is starting to show his quality against tougher competition.

“Chima has been used to being a big player, playing with kids of his own age who are smaller and slower so he has always relied on his athleticism,” said Hilliker.

“Now he knows his athleticism doesn’t do it on his own. He is working hard and he is progressing. He still has a lot to learn He will be a dangerous player as he gets to next two season and the next coupe of years.”

Leggett has established himself as one of the most dangerous players in the area. “The kid is phenomenal; I know that he is here and he is good but he has got to progress for college,” said Hilliker of Leggett, who has 21 goals on the season.

“It wasn’t a good first half for him and I said you have to shake that off and have a good half and change it. He got his goal and had three or four more chances that were close. The challenge he has in high school soccer is that everyone knows who is he is so he has two or three guys sit tight on him and
make it difficult.”

Making it to the Prep B final represents progress for the program. “It is important to me after getting beat by Gil St. Bernard’s in the semifinal last year where we had that seven minutes we lapsed and conceded three goals and that was the game that day,” said Hilliker, who guided the Panthers to the Prep B title in 2016. “It was important for me to turn that around and get back to where we should be in the final.”

Chukumba, for his part, is excited to have a shot at a title. “It is my first year on varsity, it means a lot to be able to go to the final in Prep Bs,” said Chukumba. “I just want to win to for the seniors because it is their last year.”