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  • All out.... Princeton’s Brett Caldwell battles for the ball in Tuesday night’s game against Bluefield. Caldwell scored a goal for the Tigers as Princeton defeated the Beavers 7-1. Staff photo by Jon Bolt

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September 8, 2010

Tigers’ Mashi mashes Beavers

By JONATHAN GREENE Bluefield Daily Telegraph

PRINCETON — Tuesday night was fun for Mashi Johnson.

The Princeton senior scored three goals as the Tigers defeated the inexperienced Bluefield Beavers 7-1 on Tuesday night at Princeton Senior High School.

“It was fun,” Johnson said. “I was just trying to pass the ball around to get my teammates in the game. Get everyone that was down before to score some goals and get it going on the season.”

Johnson added two assists in addition to his three goals. Johnson prefers handing out assists to scoring goals, especially when he can help out his teammates and get them a goal.

“I’m just an assist guy, I try to give it out to everyone,” Johnson said. “If I already have one, that’s enough for me.”

“Mashi’s stepping it up,” Princeton head coach Steve Bailey said. “He’s a great player. Everyone knows him and he usually gets double-teamed. If you leave him open, he’s going to burn you. He just a very skilled player.”

Bailey was proud of his team’s effort.

We are always proud of our guys when we win a game,” Bailey said. “More importantly, whenever they play the way we want them to play. If you play the way you should, you’re going to win.

“We have too much speed and skill players that when we play the right way we’re going to win.”

Princeton started the scoring early when Brett Caldwell found the back of the net. That is when Johnson took over, scoring the Tigers’ next two goals before teammate Nick Branson added Princeton’s fourth goal of the first half.

With Princeton jumping out to a big lead early, it was an uphill battle for Bluefield

“Princeton’s a very good team,” Bluefield head coach Robb Willams said. “Their skill level is certainly unmatched against any team we’ve played so far. It was tough for us to get going. In the end, they put some JV players in to make it more competitive for us.”

Late in the game, Bluefield’s Kyle Harris ended the shutout for his first career goal.

“(I’m) very happy,” Williams said of the goal. “It was his first eligible game. It was a nice effort by him.”

Wes Muncey, Branson and Johnson rounded out the scoring for Princeton in the second half. Muncey finished with a goal and two assists. Sean Williams anchored the Tiger’s defense in the shutout.

Despite the loss, Coach Williams remained positive.

“We’re looking forward to our next game,” he said. “We had three really tough games in a row. So hopefully our season will get a little bit more competitive for us and we look to continue to get better.”

Bluefield travels to James Monroe today for a 5 p.m. start. Princeton (3-1-1) will hit the road Thursday at Riverside. Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m.

— Contact Jonathan Greene

at jgreene@bdtonline.com

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