WILL: Princeton High boys soccer player Will Novak, left, controls the ball against Hunterdon Central last Saturday in the Central West Group 4 sectional final. Top-seeded PHS ended up losing 1- 0 against the Red Devils, second seed. Two days earlier, senior midfielder Novak scored two goals to help the Tigers defeat fifth-seeded Hightstown 5-0 in the sectional semifinals. PHS finished the 2020 campaign with a 9-3-1 record. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
By Bill Alden
Will Novak wasn’t looking to be a hero as the Princeton High boys soccer team hosted Hightstown in the West Central Group 4 sectional semifinals last Wednesday.
Instead, after missing the entire 2019 season and most of the previous campaign due to injury, senior midfielder Novak was excited to be on the field for the game.
“I was exonerated late last year; I spent all of last year training, trying to get back in shape and focusing on rehab,” said Novak, whose twin brother James and younger brother Charles also play for PHS.
“My mentality is a little different from others. If I can be on the field, you can put me anywhere and I’ll be happy to be there. I take every opportunity I get to do what I can to help the team. I love every second of it.
Against Hightstown, Novak rose to the occasion, scoring two first-half goals to help PHS take a 2-0 lead and the Tigers never looked back en route to a 5-0 triumph and a berth in the final sectional against Hunterdon Central.
On his first goal, scored 15:08 into the half, Novak converted a pass from classmate Nick Petruso.
“I was expecting the ball to come, I knew I was going to have to hit it with my left foot,” Novak said.
“I had the same shot earlier this season and missed it. I’m just happy it happened today.
Just over two minutes later, Novak struck again, set up by a superb pass from another senior, Youri Laoui.
“It was a great ball from Youri and I got it,” Novak said. “My brother (James) was mad at me for not sliding it to tap, but I saw a goal and had to put it away.”
PHS head coach Wayne Sutcliffe viewed Novak’s goals as turning the tide for the Tigers.
“Youri found it wide in the first one which was really magnificent,” Sutcliffe said.
“Then he cut at the top of the 18th and hit that volley. What more can you say? This is what you need in any match, and especially in a tournament match, to try and score early. It set the tone, it helped a lot. Thanks to Will.
While PHS defeated Hightstown 3-0 in a regular-season meeting on Oct. 31, Novak and his teammates were determined to come out strong and seize their momentum in the rematch.
“We had the mentality that we have to do what we can to get ahead early,” Novak said.
“And then being solid defensively and keeping a clean sheet. We scored early and overall it was a good game.
Building on that early lead, PHS dominated possession as it cruised away to victory with Petruso, Ian Pompliano and Andrew DeLuca each finding the back of the net in the second half.
“As soon as we scored our goals, I have to say Rafa (Davis Grandi) and Rakuyo (Tamada) were fantastic in midfield,” Novak said.
“Defensively, they controlled the ball. From the back line to the end of the field, we felt very confident. It was a good match.”
In the fall, the team’s seniors made a pact to give it their all on the field to make the most of a 2020 campaign limited by COVID concerns.
“We had a meeting at the beginning of the season,” Novak recalled.
“We all told ourselves that whatever we have in front of us, whether it’s a state championship or a conference title, we want to do everything we can to win that.”
Although PHS ended up losing 1-0 to Hunterdon Central two days later in the sectional final, Novak believed the Tigers did everything they could to put themselves in position at the right time.
“We’re getting to the peak of football, the team is really starting to come together,” Novak said.
“We’re playing more as a team, it’s really nice to see. This is some of the best football we play.
