(Photo by Stephen Goldsmith) SERIOUS IMPROVEMENT: Princeton Day School senior defender and co-captain Owen Haney, left, battles for the ball in recent action. Haney’s serious approach along the back line has helped PDS go 2-1-1 in its first four outings this season as the Panthers look to rebound from a 7-12-1 season in 2008. In upcoming action, the Panthers host Lawrenceville School on September 24 before playing at Lawrence High on September 26.

With Co-Captain Haney Setting Serious Tone, PDS Boys’ Soccer Showing New Commitment

Bill Alden

A year ago, the Princeton Day School boys’ soccer team didn’t put up much of a fight in its 5-0 loss to the Peddie School.

Last Thursday, PDS never stopped battling in this season’s meeting with Peddie, rallying from two one-goal deficits to pull out a 2-2 tie in double overtime on the Falcons’ home field.

As he caught his breath after the 100-minute contest, PDS senior defender Owen Haney said the Panthers’ effort exemplified the new attitude permeating the squad this season as it has started 2-1-1.

“This team is so much different than any PDS soccer team I have played on,” asserted Haney.

“The kids here want to play and play together. When we go down, we just want to fight back. There is nothing that changes in our mind when a goal is scored against us, we all play together. The heart is what propels the team.”

Haney showed heart and guts when he buried a penalty kick with 14:45 left in the second half to knot the game at 2-2.

“I just know I am going to score; that’s all it is,” said Haney reflecting on the penalty kick.

“I just have a strategy in my head; I had PKs against Princeton High and Rutgers Prep this week.”

While Haney enjoys making a contribution on the scoring sheet, he knows his main role is directing traffic on defense.

“I just try to motivate the back and provide what I can,” added Haney.

“I do the best I can to keep the guys playing as a unit. This game proved how committed we were as a whole team; when one guy went up, another guy was backing him up.”

The Panthers have been showing a special commitment long before the season started as they looked to improve on the 7-12-1 record posted in 2008.

“This is the first year we have had an all soccer-oriented team,” said Haney.

“We came in here and we started with some captains’ practices. Everybody is playing club soccer now; that has never been the case with the team before.”

Longtime PDS head coach Malcolm Murphy has noticed a new sense of unity on the field from this year’s team.

“We are obviously not as technical and tactical as them on the first and second touch,” said Murphy.

“But this particular team has now recognized that as far as the game goes, if we work correctly in the groups in the back four, the middle, and up front, they may be able to pursue a result. This is the closest group we have had.”

Murphy credits Haney with helping build the team’s good chemistry.

“Owen has been a tremendous leader; he is one of the captains with Kevin Francfort,” said Murphy. “They complement each other in the back; they have got a great understanding.”

The team’s play in the back has been the foundation for its early success.

“The back four has been playing terrific,” asserted Murphy, also citing the efforts of Paul Zetterberg and Connor Gibson.

“Unfortunately we have had a couple of bad goals against us that weren’t really recognized as a back four problem; a little bit of goalkeeping that could have kept them out. Jacob [Eisenberg] came up good in goal today; a pat on the back for him.”

The Panthers have also gotten good work from juniors Justin Ward and Robbie Smukler. Ward had PDS’s first goal in the tie with Peddie while Smukler already has six goals on the season.

“The forwards have excelled so far; I am prepared to just to let them play,” said Murphy. “Their hearts are in the right place; the rest will follow.”

The heart and diligence shown by the team collectively has Murphy confident about the rest of the fall.

“It’s a funny game, soccer,” said Murphy, whose team hosts the Lawrenceville School on September 24 before playing at Lawrence High on September 26.

“If you just pursue hard work and intelligence in the game, the rest falls into place for you. We are heading in the right direction and if they keep going, you can enjoy the season. I just want them the way they are now to try and to improve and enjoy it and play well and excite the crowds.”

In Haney’s view, the Panthers could do very well if they stick together.

“I think we have the potential to do some great things,” maintained Haney.

“We want to win the Prep B championship. We want to get a winning record; we haven’t had that in a while. We want to do as much as we can in the county tournament. If we always just play together, I think our chances are up to us.”

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