PRINCETON: Little Tigers hit stride for MCT

By Bob Nuse, Sports Editor
The start of the Mercer County Tournament usually means the Princeton High boys lacrosse team is hitting its stride and this year appears no different.
The Little Tigers are the No. 2 seed for the MCT and were scheduled to open play in the tournament on Thursday against 15th-seeded Hamilton. They come into the tournament having won four straight games, including a 7-5 win over Hopewell Valley on Tuesday.
“It’s always fun playing Hopewell,” Princeton coach Chip Castro said. “They are always well prepared and they play to the end. We had a little hiccup in the beginning not having all of our players because of a test. Our backup goalie, Sawyer Peck, started at attack. Guys like that get credit for keeping it to 3-0 in the first and 3-2 at halftime.”
After falling behind by three goals in the opening quarter, the Little Tigers settled in and came back to secure the win. Eammon McDonald scored three goals, while Johnny Lopez-Ona and Rory Helstrom each added a goal in the win. Leo Godefroy, who has taken over the role as starting goalie, made 10 saves.
“The rule for today was to watch cutters and lock off 22, 4 and 26,” said Godefroy, who has been splitting time in goal with Peck before an injury to Peck made Godefroy the full-time starter. “They are really big players, especially 4. We put our best defender, Ian (Jacobs), on him and I have a lot of confidence in him. He has very good footwork. I was very impressed with how we played the first quarter. We were missing a few of our guys but we had all of our defense and we played to the challenge.
“On defense we got a little rattled with three goals in the first quarter, but we kept it down after that and only allowed two more goals.”
Princeton was missing several players in the opening quarter due to AP testing. But once they got into full swing the offense picked up and the Little Tigers came away with the win to improve to 8-3.
Godefroy has been solid in goal and feels like he gets better with each game.
“This is my first year starting,” he said. “Lawrenceville was a huge game for me making some saves and working on my outlets. It’s been an amazing experience to work with my defense and the coaches. Last year I did mostly JV and if varsity needed me I would play but they didn’t need me much.
“We have another very good goalie, Sawyer Peck, and we had been splitting time. Unfortunately, he got an injury and I was made full starting goalie and it has been amazing past five or six games I have played.”
For now the job in goal belongs to Godefroy, who has settled in at the position.
“They were having a nice, healthy battle and splitting time,” Castro said. “Sawyer got hurt and Leo has stepped up and played big in big games. We’re letting the hot goalie go with it and he is doing a good job.”
Princeton Day School is the top seed for the MCT and earned a first-round bye. Princeton is seeded second, while ninth-seeded West Windsor-Plainsboro North opened the tournament at eighth-seeded Pennington and 10th-seeded WW-P South played at No. 7 Hightstown.
“It should be a good tournament,” Castro said. “Allentown is playing better. Notre Dame is playing better. Hopewell is always tough. PDS is rolling. The whole county is getting better. The talent is better. The coaching is better. It’s a good year for the county.” 