Saturday, December 01, 2012

Princeton Boys Soccer Team is State Co-Champion

Nice teeth, but will it keep the squirrels from eating all of our tomatoes and squash next year? The Princeton High School's mascot got a brief tryout for the role of backyard scarecrow prior to tonight's Group 3 state soccer championship at College of New Jersey.
Though Princeton High School's boys team was ranked 11th, it dominated play against top-ranked Ramapo, holding their powerful offence to just three shots on goal while pressing Ramapo's first-rate goalie to the limit. Both the boys and girls teams at Princeton High are known for their accurate passing and ball control, and when the capacity to finish is added to that, the results are exciting.

Princeton finally beat Ramapo's goalie with a brilliantly executed cross and header, and nearly took the lead with a wickedly sinking shot from out front by Scott Bechler. A flagrant push in front of the Ramapo's goal by a defender with two minutes left in the second overtime went unnoticed by the ref, and time ran out with the teams still tied 1-1. Rules preclude a shootout in the state finals. Hats off to coach Wayne Sutcliffe and the extraordinary play of his Group 3 co-champions.

And by the way, could I borrow that mascot this coming summer for my backyard garden?

Coverage of the game here and here.

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