Michael Irving Celebrates Goal with 3.8 seconds left in 3rd Quarter
Not since 2007 had the PHS boys varsity lax team won their season opener. But on a day that started with chilly temperatures and sleet, the clouds parted and the entire defensive unit ensured the seniors would finally enjoy an opening day victory as the PHS Tigers dominated last year’s Group III State Finalists and cross-town rival, the West Windsor Plainsboro North Knights. PHS’s defensive effort was something to behold with Griffin Peck stellar in goal, long poles Michael Irving, Robby Dowers, Jack Miller, Dean DiTosto, and Tom Sacchetti continuously stripping the Knights of possession, and defensive middies Zach Halliday and Colin Lamb harrassing their WWP-N counterparts. While many PHS players contributed to the win, it was especially satisfying to see Michael Irving on the field again for PHS after an injury plagued junior season. He made it a special comeback by hoovering up groundballs, stripping the WWP-N offense, and spearheading numerous fast breaks, notching a goal and 3 assists along the way.
Irving got things going for PHS offensively after quickly advancing a take away down the field and passing to Coleman Preziosi who buried his shot in the net to give PHS a 1-0 lead with 8 minutes left in the first period. Irving assisted on PHS’s second goal on another fast break when he spotted an open Kirby Peck who banged in a bounce shot pass the Knight goalie. That was the beginning of a 4-goal PHS deluge in less than a 2 minute span mid-way into the second quarter. Preziosi tallied his second of three points by assisting on a Pat Lynch goal. Then Kirby Peck picked up a loose ball and fired in an unassisted goal. But Peck immediately topped that completing his hat trick with a rip from just inside the restraining line. Clearly he worked on his shot speed over the summer as it seems to have gained at least 20 mph’s from last season. That made the score 5-0 which it stayed for the last 6 minutes of the first half. The third quarter was scoreless almost until the buzzer blew, but Preziosi passed to Irving who shot the ball past the Knight goalie with only 3.8 seconds left in the period. WWP-N avoided a shut out by scoring with 5:40 left in the final period but by that time the outcome was not in question and the Tigers had dominated the entire contest. Although it did not appear in the box score, Michael Hellstern turned in a terrific hustle performance advancing the ball numerous times and sprinting back on defense to stop WWP-N from scoring on fast breaks.
The Tigers’ triumph made the front page of the Trenton Times where you can read all about it by clicking here.