(Photo by Bill Allen/NJ SportAction) FAST START: Princeton High girls’ ice hockey star forward Gabby Vukasin races up the ice in action last season. This past Wednesday, Vukasin tallied a goal and two assists as PHS topped Pingry 7-1 in its season opener. In upcoming action, PHS plays at Hill on December 10 before competing in the PDS Invitational from December 13-14.

PHS Girls’ Hockey Wins Opener; Focused on Constant Improvement

Bill Alden

Jeff Schneider wasn’t pleased with how his Princeton High girls’ hockey team got out of the gate in its season opener last Wednesday against Pingry.

“I thought we came out a little flat,” said second-year head coach Schneider, whose team was clinging to a 2-1 lead after one period.

The Little Tigers sharpened up after that, outscoring Pingry 4-0 in the second period on the way to a 7-1 victory.

“We started connecting,” recalled Schneider. “We are getting offense from the defense out; we are really able to move the puck up the ice.”

Senior defenseman and co-captain Maddy Sturm and freshman blueliner Keely Herring got things moving for PHS, scoring two goals apiece. Freshman forward Abby Hunter chipped in two as well with junior Gabby Vukasin notching a goal and two assists.

Schneider is expecting big things from newcomers Herring and Hunter. “Herring and Hunter are two impact freshmen,” said Schneider, who will also be giving ice time to freshman Phoebe Rea.

“They have both played Nassau Hockey travel for a while; they can skate, pass, and score.”

The Little Tigers should get some good scoring from its top line of Vukasin, junior Olivia Ray, and sophomore Allison Miezin.

“I see the three of them as a strong offensive unit,” said Schneider, who guided PHS to a 10-11-1 record last year and a spot in the Women’s Interscholastic Hockey League of Mid-Atlantic (WIHLMA) semifinals.

“Allison has made great strides. She was on the end of the bench last year and has worked hard to get better.”

Others who will see time at forward include Hunter, senior co-captain Katie Carreno, sophomore Kelly O’Grady, and junior Jen Conover.

PHS senior goalie Olivia Bayles has made big strides, determined to end her PHS career on a high note.

“Olivia has been working hard and playing like she did this summer,” added Schneider.

“This is her senior year and she wants to make it the best she can. We have two other goalies and she is taking them under her wing. As our experienced goalie, she has responsibility as our last line of defense and as a leader teaching the others the game.”

In Schneider’s view, his defensemen have plenty of game. “Maddy and Keely are a good pair; they really can get up the ice,” asserted Schneider.

“Elizabeth O’Grady is a senior co-captain. Neta Nekash was our most improved player last year. The more work we gave her on JV last year, the better she got. She can keep the puck in the zone with her skating and stick skills. Haley Andres is another captain and she fills out the defense; she is a tremendous leader for us.”

The PHS roster has filled out nicely, with the program boasting solid numbers.

“We have 33 girls,” said Schneider. “There are 14 returners and 19 new girls. We have eight new sophomores. There is a positive atmosphere around PHS hockey.”

Schneider is hoping that the positive atmosphere will help inspire his players to reach their potential.

“We want to get the girls to be as good as they can be,” said Schneider, whose team plays at Hill on December 10 before competing in the PDS Invitational from December 13-14.

“We have some tough tests in December, I think we have six games in 12 days. If we win, good. If we lose, that’s alright as long as we are still learning. We will see these teams again. I want to see improvement from practice to practice and game to game.”

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