(Photo by David Goldsmith) FLYING HIGH: Princeton High boys’ lacrosse senior star Garrett Riley floats up the field in recent action. Last Saturday, Riley scored three goals and had two assists to help PHS rout Princeton Day School 15-3 and improve to 3-4 on the season. In upcoming action, the Little Tigers play at Christian Brothers Academy on April 30 before hosting Moorestown on May 3.

With Riley Showing Skill, Leadership, PHS Boys’ Lacrosse Making Progress

Bill Alden

Going with a bevy of new faces this spring, the Princeton High boys’ lacrosse team suffered through some growing pains as it lost four of its first five games.

Last Wednesday, PHS appeared to he headed for another hard lesson as it hosted once-beaten WW/P-S. Instead, the Little Tigers jumped off to a 7-4 first quarter lead and then held off a late charge by the Pirates to earn a 14-12 victory.

Three days later, PHS showed more growth in its annual clash with Princeton Day School, overcoming a sluggish start to pull away for a 15-3 win.

In reflecting on the win over PDS, senior attackman Garrett Riley said the win over WW/P-S had been a major confidence builder for the young team.

“A lot of players on our team are sophomores, it really gave them that boost to say alright we can do it, we can hold a good team off,” said Riley, referring to the win over WW/P-S which saw him score four goals. “It really helped just to finish PDS off today.”

Against PDS, the Little Tigers struggled in the early going as they clung to a 2-1 lead late in the first quarter. A two-goal burst by PHS in the last minute of the quarter gave the Little Tigers the momentum and they never looked back.

In Riley’s view, the team showed a good killer instinct as it turned the contest into a rout.

“In the first quarter, it was kind of close,” recalled Riley, who scored three goals and had two assists in the win as PHS improved to 3-4.

“We knew once we got into the second quarter and got rid of the jitters, we had to really do it up and step our game up and we did that. Going into the half, we were up 6-1. When you are in a game where you are up 6-1, the other team can easily come back. We knew we just had to stick it to them and that’s exactly what we did.”

Riley and classmate Brandon Polakoff have been sticking it to PHS’ foes for a few years now.

“Brandon and I have been playing together for three years,” said Riley of Polakoff, who piled up three goals and seven assists in the victory over PDS.

“Last year was our first major year when we connected. This year is just a continuation of that. I think the bond has grown stronger; we know where to look for each other.”

The veteran attackers have gone out of their way to help ease the transition for PHS’ young guns.

“They make mistakes and we just try to talk to them after they make mistakes,” explained Riley.

“They are starting to get it; they are starting to look to where they are supposed to look. It’s all falling into place.”

PHS head coach Peter Stanton liked the way things fell into place for his offense against PDS.

“These guys have the ability to do that,” said Stanton, referring to his team’s outburst in the waning moments of the first quarter.

“The attack has the ability to quick strike. It definitely changes the mood of things when you go into a huddle. When you are the guys that pumped a couple in, your guys sprint off the field.”

The win over WW/P-S clearly pumped up PHS. “WW/P-S was a team that was coming in 7-1,” said Stanton.

“To get that feeling of accomplishment, beating a team that was highly regarded definitely made them listen to us more. It definitely makes them work harder in practice; everything goes easier when you get that thing that makes you believe.”

Having Riley and Polakoff leading the attack makes things easier for Stanton. “Our team is so young, so often we focus on some of the things we don’t have,” said Stanton.

“We take it for granted that Brandon and Garrett are going to make those plays. They allow us to focus more on some of the areas where we need to improve more; we don’t have to worry about those guys around the goal and being able to create.”

One younger player who has been excelling around goal in recent games has been sophomore Mike Olentine.

“He’s really coming along; last year we used him as a guy who could catch and throw as an offensive midfielder,” added Stanton of Olentine who had a hat trick last Saturday.

“Now he’s faster, he’s a little more confident. He can shoot the ball better, he can dodge, he’s really developing into a complete attacker.”

Junior goalie Jeff Goeke has developed into a force around the cage. “We have been spoiled by the talent we’ve had at that position,” said Stanton, mentioning such past standouts as Eric Krieger, Chris Lalli, and Sam Finnell “We’ve held Jeff to high expectations. We expect so much out of him and he hasn’t disappointed us.”

Stanton is expecting his team to make a run for the state tournament.

“Nothing comes easy for us this year with our schedule,” said Stanton, whose team plays at Christian Brothers Academy on April 30 before hosting Moorestown on May 3. “We do have a chance to get into states; everybody here is a tough game. Hopefully, we can sneak one or two.”

Riley, for his part, believes the Little Tigers have toughened up at the right time. “We knew right after beating WW/P-S, this was our chance to go up and get back to .500; that’s our goal for the past week,” said Riley.

“We have Notre Dame coming up; it was these three games that we just needed to win. The whole team has the same attitude — we can do it. We’ve got it down, we’ve got the early season jitters out and it’s just time to work.”

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