PRINCETON — If there is one thing the Princeton Day School varsity boys’ soccer team clearly understands in 2024, it is how to win a two-goal game. First-year head coach Gary Roberts’ squad proved that again Tuesday when it defeated Nottingham High, 2-0, at Jan Baker Field to improve to 3-1 on the season. All three of those victories have been by 2-0 counts, earning senior goalkeeper Oren Yakoby and his defensive line three shutouts. That also matches the Panthers’ win total of a year ago. In 2023, they defeated the Northstars for their only Colonial Valley Conference win in their first year in the league. This time, it was their second CVC victory. “I wasn’t expecting this quick of a start, but I think Coach Roberts is perfect for us,” senior forward Penn von Zelowitz said. The way PDS came out yesterday it looked like the game was going to be more lopsided. Freshman midfielder Mathias Ramos stole a failed clear and set up von Zelowitz for the game’s first goal 7:45 in as the home side opened an 8-0 edge in shots. But midway through the first half, play strangely evened out, making things very interesting for the next 40 minutes. That was especially true when Northstars junior Ridjeanno Peralte Valentin slipped behind the defense and popped a shot over the net with 15 minutes to go before intermission. “I think we got a little tired midway through the first half,” said von Zelowitz, who almost scored again two minutes into the second half, only to see Nottingham senior goalkeeper Justin Umana make a nice diving save. “The way we played in the first 20 minutes is how we want to play. After we scored our second goal, we locked in defensively.” The Panthers came out more focused after intermission and created chances when senior Todd Devin and sophomore Aiden George narrowly missed wide with crossing shots. It was not until 21:06 remained that Devin took a free kick which was headed home by senior back Max Schragger to give PDS some breathing room. “As a team, we need to get better,” said Umana, who made 11 saves to keep the visitors in the game. “Right now, we’ve got some key injuries, and we’re not communicating well.” Yakoby made nine saves to hold second-year head coach Nick Durante’s 1-3 Northstars in check, but also needed help from Ramos, who hustled back to clear a ball from the far side of the net with 6:42 left to help persevere another 2-0 shutout. Nottingham(1-3)             0   0    —    0 PDS (3-1)                       1   1    —    2 Goals: von Zelowitz, Schragger (PDS); Assists: Ramos, Devin (PDS). Shots: 12 (N), 16 (PDS); Saves: Umana 11 (N), Yakoby 9 (PDS).