ON THE BALL: Princeton Day School boys’ soccer player Todd Devin, right, goes after the ball in a 2023 game. Senior midfielder Devin figures to play a key role for PDS this fall. The Panthers, who will be guided by a new head coach, Gary Roberts, were slated to get their 2024 season underway by hosting Hightstown on September 3 before playing at New Egypt on September 10. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Gary Roberts has built an extensive coaching resume in local soccer circles.

Roberts has helped run the Patriot FC club in Bucks County, Pa., for years, coaching more than 15 teams and 400 players and winning several Pennsylvania USYS State Cups along the way.

On the high school scene, Roberts served as an assistant coach for the Hun School girls’ soccer program, playing a key role tactically as the Raiders won the Prep A title in 2021. He went on to take the helm of the George School (Pa.) girls’ soccer team and helped the program go from a winless record to .500 campaigns.

So it is no surprise that when Princeton Day School was looking for new head coach of its boys’ soccer team this spring after Brian Thomsen stepped down, it reached out to Roberts.

“I got a call one day from Katie (athletic director Katie Fay) at PDS, and she said our boys’ coach quit and multiple people gave me your name and will you please come in,” said Roberts. “I never applied, I never looked on line, I knew nothing about it. They came to me and it basically took like three days. I met all of the heads of school.”

Roberts, a Hamilton native, was impressed by what he saw and took the job.

As he takes the helm of the Panthers, Roberts is relishing the special challenges of coaching the beautiful game.

“It is not really about soccer, it is about man management,” said Roberts, who also runs a local technology company. “The game of soccer is so different than say football or basketball where every play is puppeteered by the coach marching up and down the sideline calling plays or with the play being radioed in. Soccer is a true players game. You prepare them but the players have to do the work.”

Roberts is confident that he can get the PDS players to work better.

“I believe I can get 10 percent more out of a player than they think they have,” said Roberts, who is taking over a program that posted a 3-16-1 record last fall but did make a late run in advancing to the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) South Jersey Non-Public B semifinals. “I also provide a good environment. I am super-demanding, but not in a demeaning manner.”

As the preseason has unfolded, the squad has responded positively to the environment Roberts is seeking to create.

“According to all feedback, it has been a phenomenal response,” said Roberts. “The seniors have been really receptive and really supportive of me and have been exceptionally good with the younger players. We have been bonding, we went bowling as a team the other day.”

Roberts himself developed lifelong bonds from his high school soccer experience.

“It is making sure that you leave this school having said these are my best friends and I had the time of my life,” said Roberts. “My high school teammates are still my best friends, that is what I want these guys to get out of it.”

In order to have a good time this year, the PDS players will need concentrate on daily improvement.

“The players believe they are going to be good,” said Roberts. “A definition of success for me for this year especially, isn’t winning this or winning that or how our record is, it is do we get better every day. That is our motto.”

At forward, senior Penn von Zelowitz (2 goals in 2023) and sophomore Keegan Fullman (1 assist) should give the Panthers some good production.

“The two main goal scorers will be Penn and Keegan,” said Roberts. “They bring pace and they have physicality. They have the ability to make some good dynamic runs off the ball, they are the attacking players. Penn is good enough that he may have to fill in all over the field if there is injury or something like that.”

In the midfield, seniors Todd Devin (2 goals, 2 assists) and Hart Nowakoski (2 goals, 5 assists) will be leading the way.

“Todd and Hart will hold the team together in the center of the midfield,” said Roberts.

One new face, freshman Mathias Ramos, should give Devin and Nowakoski good support in the center of the field.

“Matthias is small but he has the has a God’s gift of soccer IQ,” said Roberts, noting that the roster includes eight freshmen who are all technically sound on the pitch.

The Panther back line will feature senior Marc Nahas, sophomore Brady DeCore (2 assists), senior Max Schragger (1 assist), and junior Aiden Luciano.

“I think they are coming together OK,” said Roberts. “Marc has a physical presence and senior leadership. Max has good work rate and lots of experience. Brady is an excellent athlete, he has got pace. Aidan is growing into that role at center back, he has a huge upside.”

Senior goalie Oren Yakoby (173 saves in 2023) figures to be a huge plus for PDS this fall.

“I do have faith in the goalkeeper,” said Roberts. “Oren is a pure athlete, he is fearless, and has got good hands.”

Roberts, for his part, has faith that the team will get up to speed as it gets used to his approach while he familiarizes himself with the Colonial Valley Conference competition the Panthers will be facing.

“I know we will get better every day in this system that I am creating, which is a quality game of soccer, combination play, and build-up play, not the traditional high school game, said Roberts. “As much as it is going to be a learning experience for them, it is going to be that much more a learning experience for me.”