STICKING WITH IT: Princeton High boys’ lacrosse player John O’Donnell looks for an opening in a game last season. Senior standout O’Donnell figures to be a key offensive performer this spring for the Tigers. PHS gets its 2022 campaign underway this week by playing at Lawrence High on March 31 and then hosting North Hunterdon on April 2. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Making impressive strides last spring, the Princeton High boys’ lacrosse team went 9-5, getting into the state tournament for the first time since 2017 and posting a first round win over Morris Knolls before falling to Scotch Plains-Fanwood in the sectional quarterfinals.

While PHS head coach Chip Casto was proud of what the squad accomplished last year, nobody around the program is resting on their laurels.

“The year started with a lot of energy and excitement,” said Casto, whose team gets its 2022 campaign underway this week by playing at Lawrence High on March 31 and then hosting North Hunterdon on April 2.

“No one has mentioned last year except Will Doran, who basically said, ‘that was last year, we need to start all over again and work to get back to the level of play we were at last year.’”

Williams College-bound Doran, who led the Tigers with 91 points on 51 goals and 40 assists last spring, brings high-level play to the PHS attack.

“Will looks great — he is an even better leader,” said Casto. “He has aspirations to make an impact at Williams next year and so has continued his work ethic and focus.”

Doran will form a potent one-two punch with sophomore Patrick Kenah, who tallied 35 goals and 27 assists in his debut campaign last spring.

“Patrick had the best off season of anyone on the team,” asserted Casto.“He got a little bigger, smarter, and faster but had an opportunity to play for the NJ Under Armour team this past summer and learned a ton of lacrosse. He is ready to go.”

PHS boasts two other players who will help the attack in senior John O’Donnell and sophomore Robbie Sifon-Arevalo.

“John is the quintessential role guy; he is patient and predictable in the best possible way,” said Casto. “He is consistently in the right place at the right time — he allows Will and Patrick to do their work and just plays off the defensive scramble they create and can finish plays off. Robbie is eager to play and knows that if he watches and learns from Will and Patrick he will find a role at the attack.”

The trio of senior Owen Deming, junior Pierson Swanke, and freshman Brendan Beatty should give PHS some good work in the midfield.

“Owen is a big strong midfielder who we will lean on to carry the ball in clears, score some goals, and play d-mid — a little bit of everything,” said Casto. “Pierson has had a big off season as well.  He is bigger, faster, and has worked on his stick. He has found focus and really buys into what we are doing. Brendan is a promising freshman who has shown grit and determination towards being a contributor this spring. He loves the game and plays with passion and fight every practice.”

Sophomore Archer Ayers brings passion to the face-off spot.

“Archer has had a great off-season,” said Casto. “He is determined, with the new rules, to make every face-off competitive. He has been teaching our underclassmen as well.”

The Tiger defensive unit will be spearheaded by senior Will Erickson along with senior Andrew Koehler, sophomore Anthony Famiglietti, junior Leo George, and sophomore James Reynolds.

“Will is the vocal leader of the whole team; his talk out on the field is immeasurable,” said Casto. “He is the hardest worker on the team every day. Andrew has been working on his game as well and will be a strong part of the unit.  Anthony is a rising sophomore and will get a lot of time.  Leo and James look to split time as the LSMs (longstick middies).”

At goalie, sophomore Rory Dobson is primed to step into the starting role.

“Rory has come back really stepping to the ball,” said Casto.“He has become a more technical goalie who just needs to see a ton of shots to get comfortable.”

Looking ahead, Casto believes his squad is primed to step up this spring.

“We have a solid amount of offensive production coming back,” said Casto. “We have to really play team defense this year in order to be successful. If we can just win 50-55 percent of face-offs, we will be able to control games a bit more.”