(Photo by Frank Wojciechowski) caption: YOUNG GUN: Princeton Day School field hockey player Cameron McNeely goes after the ball in recent action. Last Thursday sophomore McNeely chipped in a goal as PDS cruised to a 7-0 victory over visiting Morrisville. Emma Quigley and Emily Goldman scored two goals apiece in the victory which lifted the Panthers to 7-2. In upcoming action, PDS hosts the Solebury School on October 13, Princeton High on October 15, Delran High on October 16, and the Ranney School on October 18.

Freshman Quigley Exceeding Expectations, Giving PDS Field Hockey Scoring Punch

Bill Alden

Emma Quigley didn’t have big expectations coming into this fall as she started her freshman season with the Princeton Day School field hockey program.

“When I tried out, I didn’t think I was going to make the varsity,” said Quigley. “I was really surprised when I did.”

The diminutive Quigley not only made the PDS squad but has emerged as a big surprise for the Panthers. From day one, Quigley has been an offensive threat at forward, using her speed and scrappiness to produce in the circle as PDS has gotten off to a 7-2 start.

A key factor in Quigley’s play has been the way she has connected with the PDS sister act of Sydney and Andrea Jenkins.

“They are amazing; I love playing with them,” said Quigley, referring to the Jenkins sisters.

“They are always getting the ball up the field. Sydney is really good; she can always bring it up and then assist to us and then we hit it in. It has made me improve a lot.”

Last Thursday, Quigley displayed her improvement, scoring two first-half goals as PDS cruised to a 7-0 victory over visiting Morrisville.

“I really thought we were on a roll and we were definitely working as a team in this game,” said Quigley.

The Panthers needed the big win as they were coming off a tough 3-1 loss to Lawrenceville the day before.

“It was important for the team because that game just put us really down, even though we know Lawrenceville is really good,” added Quigley. “This win put our spirits really up; it was a good way to end the week.”

Quigley’s confidence level has been lifted by the presence of fellow freshmen Sarah Brennan, Emily Goldman, Mary Travers, and Mimi Matthews on the varsity squad.

“We have four or five freshmen so we are definitely a team together; we have a bond,” said Quigley. “I just feel like playing at this level is so much fun.”

PDS head coach MC Heller is having fun seeing Quigley’s rapid development. “Emma just makes it work; she never stops,” asserted a grinning Heller. “She is completely motivated and aggressive. Emma improves every game. The coaching staff and I look at her and we are surprised at how quickly she can pick it up.”

Heller was happy to see other players pick it up in the Morrisville game as Goldman had two goals with Travers, Cameron McNeely, and Jenna Fritz chipping in one apiece.

“We have to take out the more experienced players sometimes to let the younger girls get more touches,” said Heller noting that the Jenkins sisters have driven the PDS offense during much of the season.

“It is nice because everyone here wants to build a program and we have such a young team. We want to give the girls that experience.”

In Heller’s view, the experience of going through the loss to Lawrenceville and a previous 4-0 defeat to undefeated Peddie was important for the Panthers.

“They are very good teams,” acknowledged Heller, whose team hosts the Solebury School on October 13, Princeton High on October 15, Delran High on October 16, and the Ranney School on October 18.

“I think what we learned most in the Peddie game is skill-wise where we are coming short. We had some habits that we picked up that work against lower skilled teams but Peddie was coming back at us. I think Lawrenceville was a mental challenge.”

In Heller’s view, facing those situations should help PDS come tournament time.

“You learn something from every game; it gives you that extra oomph going into it,” added Heller. “You feel like you have nothing to lose.”

The quick learning Quigley feels the losses will serve as a blessing in disguise.

“I think we learned about how we play and our weaknesses from the Peddie game and Lawrenceville,” said Quigley. “I think we came out today and improved a lot.”

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