(Photo by Frank Wojciechowski) GO-TO PLAYER: Princeton High girls’ hockey Keely Herring, right, goes after the puck in recent action. Junior forward Herring has emerged as the Little Tigers’ top gun, scoring both of the team’s goals as it has started 0-5. PHS will look to get in the win column this weekend when it competes at the Shady Side Invitational in Pittsburgh Pa.

PHS Girls’ Hockey Fighting Uphill Battle but Remaining Positive as It Takes Lumps

Bill Alden

Christian Herzog knows that his Princeton High girls’ ice hockey team is fighting an uphill battle this winter.

“Realistically speaking, the other teams gained more than they lost from last year,” said PHS head coach Herzog, whose team is the only public school in the eight-member Women’s Interscholastic Hockey League of the Mid-Atlantic (WIHLMA).

“Part of it comes down to the recruitment process; we have to take the girls who are here and recruit in house.”

Going with a mix of inexperienced new faces and a handful of veterans, PHS has struggled in the early going, getting off to a 0-5 start.

At this point, Herzog is more concerned with incremental improvement than the record.

“We are going to be the underdogs in every game we play so we just need to prove things to ourselves,” said Herzog.

“We are setting goals from period to period, like only giving up one goal in the third period or scoring in the first 10 minutes.”

PHS is relying on junior star Keely Herring to do the lion’s share of the scoring.

“Keely is our go-to player,” said Herzog of Herring, who has scored both of the team’s goals this season and has also taken shifts on defense when necessary.

“In terms of position play on the ice, she is holding things together as best she can. She gets so much time on the ice; she has to preserve her energy at times.”

The Little Tigers have been getting energy from junior star Abby Hunter. “Pound for pound, Abby is the fastest player on the ice,” said Herzog.

“She digs in the corners like nobody else. She needs to get her head up and look for the passes after she wins the puck.”

The team’s newcomers have been keeping their heads up as they learn the game. “It has been small elemental progress,” said Herzog.

“On the first day, a lot of the girls couldn’t tie their skates, let alone knowing how to stop on the ice. Kate Sohn is gung ho. I am anticipating that she will become a go-to player. Charlotte Parker is starting on defense. Erin Forden started on the second line in our last game. Veronica Spahn has been making progress; I wish I had her since freshman year. She plays in position; she needs to work on speed and stick skills.”

Junior goalie Tobi Afran has displayed skill while being under fire this winter.

“I have nothing but good things to say about her,” said Herzog. “She has worked hard. There is no back up and she knows it. She is going to see a lot of pucks this season and she understands that. She is saving three out of four but people are scoring on rebounds. She gets upset but I tell her that she needs to hone her skills for this year and next.”

Despite the rough start, the PHS players have not gotten upset or down on themselves.

“I can tell you honestly, having coached boys in the past and having been with this program for two and a half years, this is the most positive team I have ever been around,” asserted Herzog. “I am very happy with their attitude.”

Herzog is confident the team will have a happy experience as it competes this weekend at the Shady Side Invitational in Pittsburgh Pa.

“It should be a good bonding experience,” said Herzog. “Our trip to Maryland last year was postponed and we couldn’t make it up. The girls are looking forward to this trip. If we play things right, maybe we can sneak up on somebody and get a win.”

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