KNOW-HOW: Princeton High girls soccer player Holly Howes, left, kicks the ball during a game last year. Senior forward Howes looks to be a go-to finisher for PHS this season. The Tigers open their 2023 season by playing at Allentown on September 7. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
By Bill Alden
With the commissioning of a number of freshmen and sophomores last fall, the Princeton High girls’ soccer team has had an up-and-down campaign.
PHS got off to an 8-2-2 start, but faded down the stretch to finish the season with an 8-8-2 record.
Looking ahead to the 2023 season, Tigers head coach Dave Kosa believes taking these pieces will pay dividends this fall.
“Hopefully this year of growth will help us because we had four or five freshmen who started last year for us,” said Kosa whose team begins the fall playing at Allentown on the 7th. september. “We’re just hoping the experience pays off for us this year. We have a lot of talent on our team but we’re still young. It’s just about everyone coming together and understanding their role.
The Tigers have plenty of attacking talent in senior Holly Howes (8 goals, 3 assists in 2022), junior Manuela Dante Boarato, sophomore Quinn Gallagher (2 goals) and sophomore Kacey Howes (2 goals, 4 assists).
“Holly had a pretty good preseason,” Kosa said. “Manuela was a transfer last year. When she was cleared to play, she played for a half, then got injured. She is very talented. She looked good during the summer and looked good in pre-season. Quinn also showed promise. Kacey Howes, Holly’s younger sister, played everywhere from striker to outside midfield to central midfield. She is versatile and she is also competent.
In the midfield, PHS will benefit from an infusion of skills with the return of senior Casey Serxner, who was sidelined last year due to injury. “Casey worked really, really hard to come back, she carries a double,” Kosa said of Serxner, who had 15 goals and 23 goals in 2021 as a sophomore, helping the Tigers reach New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA). Group 3 state final. “She’s such a tough competitor. She’s going to be a great playmaker for us this year. It’s nice to have her back. She sees the terrain very well. She is able to distribute and shoot her own shot.
Alongside Serxner, the midfield unit will include sophomore Clara Burton (1 goal), senior Brielle Moran (1 goal), senior Grace Defaria and all-rounder Kacey Howes.
“Clara is also very talented, she looks good,” Kosa added. “Last year, Clara and Kacey were pretty much the two center mid positions for us all season. Brielle will be outside on the left side for us. Grace – who played a bit of fullback, a bit of outfield and a bit of forward – played well and coached well. Looks like she’s going to start for us on the right, outside the middle.
Senior star Alysse Kiesewetter (7 goals, 4 assists) will spearhead the PHS back line.
“Alysse is really good at overlapping, her and Brielle work really well together,” Kosa said. “Last year she really made some great corners. She’s going to take the turns this year. She’s definitely a threat from behind, it’s really great to have her back.
Joining Kiesewetter on defense will be Ava Tabeart (1 assist), sophomore Romy Johnson (1 goal) and junior Marina Zaldarriaga (3 goals, 3 assists).
“Alysse will occupy the left side,” Kosa said. “We are moving Ava to sweeper. Romy will move to stopper and Marina will be right back.
Zaldarriaga’s younger sister Julia, a freshman, is ready to make an immediate impact at the goalie position.
“Julia has great instincts, she’s had a great preseason so far,” said Kosa, whose backup goalie is sophomore Olivia DeLuca, a starter last fall. “She has a really high-end IQ. She’s really talented, she’s been amazing so far. We expect her to do great things this year and in the years to come.
Kosa believes the Tigers can do some really good things this fall if they are accurate around the goal.
“Adding Casey, Julia and Manuela gives us a better vision on paper, but they have to perform on the field,” Kosa said. “The most important thing last year was that we started strong and in the last six games we scored two goals. Our key to success is being able to put the ball in the back of the net; having Casey helps, but we still need to get the other girls to step up.
