(Photo by Bill Allen/NJ SportAction) caption: STICK SHIFT: Princeton Day School girls’ lacrosse star defender Courtland Lackey looks to break through some foes’ sticks in a game last spring. Senior Lackey will be counted on to provide leadership and intensity to the Panther backline this spring as PDS looks to keep rolling after going 13-2 in 2009. The Panthers start their 2010 campaign by playing at Peddie on March 31.

Featuring a Group of 10 Returning Players, PDS Girls’ Lacrosse Looks to Keep Rolling

Bill Alden

Losing stars Cammie Linville and Mariel Jenkins to graduation along with four others from a 2009 squad that went 13-2, the Princeton Day School girls’ lacrosse team would seem to be in a transition phase this spring.

But with 10 players returning from last year, PDS head coach Jill Thomas believes her team will be reloading in 2010 rather than rebuilding.

“All of the returners played all year round; the starting point is higher this year,” said Thomas. “They are committed to being the best and committed to each other.”

PDS is getting a special commitment from its trio of seniors Sheridan Gates, Courtland Lackey, and Caitlin Shannon.

“Sheridan, Courtland, and Caitlin are terrific leaders; they set the tone,” said Thomas, noting that last year’s leaders, Linville and Jenkins, are now playing at Lafayette and Harvard, respectively.

“They learned from the best. They have set lofty goals and they have every chance to achieve them.”

The run-and-gun Panthers figure to get plenty of goals this season, featuring such superb athletes as juniors Carly O’Brien, Jacqui Stevens, and Sydney Jenkins, together with Shannon.

“Carly, Jacqui, Caitlin, and Sydney can all score,” asserted Thomas, who is expecting some production from freshmen Andrea Jenkins, Lizzie Frieder, Hannah Levy, and Zeeza Cole. “We have a lot of kids who can score.”

On defense, the Panthers are also in good shape, featuring junior Jess Frieder in goal with juniors Katie Gibson, Allison Frieder, and Lackey spearheading the back line.

“Katie Gibson is back from an injury and at full strength,” added Thomas.

“Lackey is terrific; she made the county and prep all-star teams last year. Allie Frieder is a good athlete. Jess in goal is a junior and she has been through two years of this.”

With PDS opening the season at Peddie on March 31, who beat it in the state Prep A semifinals last spring, the Panthers will get a chance early on to show that they can be terrific.

“We are getting ready for the opener with Peddie; we are looking forward to that,” said Thomas, whose team is in Florida this week for a pre-season training trip.

“I think this group has a lot of potential; this group can write its own ticket. We have some depth, it is exciting to watch.”

Thomas believes her squad can do a lot of exciting things if it adopts the right mindset collectively.

“They need to stay focused and make a commitment to be in the best shape they can be,” said Thomas, whose team advanced to the Mercer County Tournament championship game last spring for the second straight year.

“They need to support each other and work on being a team, playing as a team, and doing everything as a team. They have great chemistry; I think you will see a lot of good lacrosse. We have a lot of good pieces; I think we can make a nice puzzle.”

Return to Previous Sports Story | Return to Top | Go to Calendar