(Photo by Bill Allen/NJ SportAction) POLE LEADER: Princeton High senior defenseman Jesse Mostoller looks to clear the ball in a game earlier this spring. Mostoller and classmate Casey Rahn have spearheaded a stingy PHS defense which has helped the team get off to a 6-3 start. In upcoming action, the Little Tigers host WW/P-N on May 10 before playing at powerful Lawrenceville on May 14.

PHS Boys' Lax Edged by Moorestown; Aims to Rebound Down Homestretch

Bill Alden

It has often been said that lacrosse is a game of runs with goals coming in bunches but the Princeton High boys' lacrosse team and Moorestown took that adage to extremes in their clash last Wednesday.  

PHS got off to a hot start, coming out of the gate with a 5-1 burst. Moorestown, though, responded with aplomb as it put together a 9-1 run to seemingly seize control of the contest.

The Little Tigers clawed back into the game, putting together a 3-0 streak to narrow the deficit to 10-9. PHS had some chances to tie the game but weren't able to cash them in as they fell by that 10-9 margin.

PHS head coach Peter Stanton acknowledged that the game turned into a rollercoaster. "We definitely came out with a lot of energy," said Stanton, who got five goals from senior star Tyler Moni as his team moved to 6-3 on the season.

"We ran into an opponent hungry for a win and they got us on our heels. I'm actually pretty happy that we fought back; we had opportunities to tie."

While Stanton was disappointed with the outcome, he hopes his players will use the game as a learning opportunity. "What we focused on with them after the game was how to handle pressure," said Stanton. "We're mainly interested in how we bounce back from this."

PHS has shown flashes that give Stanton hope that the Moorestown loss could be a blessing in disguise. "In spots we are brilliant," asserted Stanton, noting that he is working a lot of relatively inexperienced players into his lineup.

"We have spots where we hold teams down. The attack is looking better and better. Garrett Riley has emerged as a player who can carry the load. We still think of ourselves as a dangerous team. We have a team that is learning; we can put it together."

Moni is certainly putting it together in his final season with the program. "He's turning out to be quite a leader," said Stanton of Moni who will be playing at Princeton University next year.

"We talk about practice habits and he's a guy that always works hard. He does the little things. He puts the ball in the goal but he has really worked hard on his passing. He is seeing the field better."

Stanton has seen good work from sophomore goalie Jeff Goeke. "Jeff has done a very good job for us," added Stanton of the first-year starter who recorded 20 saves in the loss to Moorestown.

"He had to win the respect and trust of his teammates and people definitely respect him now. Being a goalie is such a clutch position; Jeff is content to do his role."

With the state tournament on the horizon, Stanton is hoping his team can end the season with a special run. "We want to see the kids have fun," said Stanton, whose team hosts WW/P-N on May 10 before playing at powerful Lawrenceville on May 14.

"We want them to show enthusiasm and excitement. With the games left and the state tournament, we possibly have only eight practices left. We told them let's seize the moment and make the most of our time together."

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