(Photo by Bill Allen/NJ SportAction) STROKE OF GENIUS: Princeton High field hockey senior star May-Ying Medalia strokes the winning tally in PHS’ 3-2 win over Nottingham last Thursday. Medalia scored two goals in the game as she moved up to midfield from her normal defender position.

Medalia’s Increased Focus on Finishing Sparks PHS Field Hockey to First Win

Bill Alden

May-Ying Medalia patrols the back line for the Princeton High field hockey team with skill and tenacity.

Her ability to control the ball and deftly pass it upfield combined with her leadership and experience gained from playing in national camps makes the senior co-captain a defensive force.

But with PHS having scored only one goal in getting off to a 0-4 start, Medalia moved up to the midfield to add her skills to the Little Tiger offense.

Last Thursday against visiting Nottingham, Medalia didn’t waste any time making an impact in the midfield as she banged in a goal 10 minutes into the game to give PHS a 1-0 lead.

Then with the game knotted at 2-2 late in the second half, Medalia took a short breather and roared back on the field to fire in her second goal of the day to give PHS the margin of victory in a 3-2 triumph.

In reflecting on the win, Medalia said she was looking to be more aggressive in getting shots.

“I was trying to play a more offensive role,” said Medalia. “I’m usually in the back, the way back. Now I’m stepping up to get the girls fired up.”

Medalia acknowledged that the youthful Little Tigers have been experiencing some growing pains in the early stages of the season.

“We’ve been having a bit of a rough season,” said Medalia, who is one of just three seniors on the club along with co-captain Grace Compton and Emily Schulman.

“At the beginning of the season we played a tough game against Hightstown and we couldn’t come up with a goal there. Our one goal came against Lawrence. We had a nice touch in; it was definitely really critical to get that in. We have a really young team and it’s just important for us to get control and just push things.”

With the Nottingham game knotted at 2-2, Medalia caught her breath so that she would be ready to put on a strong final push.

“I like to just take a little breather,” said Medalia. “I was also getting a little frustrated. I just got back into the game and got a goal.”

In Medalia’s view, the victory could change the tone of the season for PHS. “Today’s game is definitely going to boost our confidence,” asserted Medalia. “I think we understand what needs to get done.”

PHS head coach Joyce Jones knows she can depend on Medalia to get things done.

“May-Ying is a great player; she’s very skilled,” said Jones, whose team moved to 1-5 after a 1-0 loss to Princeton Day School last Monday.

“You can see her tackling and her defending the ball. She has a great hit; she can get it up the field. I told her you can also score. She showed senior leadership.”

The PHS defense showed some leadership collectively as the team came into the Nottingham game.

“Yesterday we had a huddle with the backs and some of the midfielders,” recalled Jones.

“They asked what can we do to contribute to our scoring. They expressed a few things and they actually did them today.”

Junior Anna Shea and sophomore Camila Simao did plenty of good things along the back line for the Little Tigers.

“Anna is like a garbage collector for us, she picks up everything,” said Jones with a laugh.

“She keeps her composure as the play happens. Camila is playing well, she’s able to strip that ball and come up with the big tackle.”

Jones needs her team to come up big all over the field. “It’s not just the forwards and the midfield; it’s working as a team,” asserted Jones, whose club plays at Allentown on September 27 before hosting Hamilton on October 2.

“You can see the increased communication out there; they are using more of the width of the field. They are changing our angles. It’s good to see. We have been talking slow start, strong finish.”

Medalia, who missed most of her junior season due to a badly sprained ankle, is looking to end her career with a bang.

“I’m definitely happy to be back,” said Medalia. “The girls have come out strong this year. People are really excited; the freshman team is excited as well. All of that momentum is coming together.”

If Medalia can keep showing her finishing touch, the Little Tigers could build some nice momentum down the stretch.

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