HOPEWELL TWP.  — When Princeton striker Azariah Breitman blasted a shot and nearly scored less than 25 seconds into the game, it proved to be a harbinger of more that was to come. As in much, much more because by the time the Tiger senior was finished he had scored his second career hat trick and upped his season goal total to seven as Princeton pulled away for a convincing 4-1 victory on the Hopewell Valley pitch Saturday afternoon. With the victory, defending Group IV state champion Princeton rebounded from its first loss and improved to 4-1-1. Hopewell Valley is now 2-4-1 and although it battled it simply couldn’t match Princeton’s fire power on this day. For those not familiar with Breitman, he was the second leading scorer last year with 11 goals on a Princeton  team that was led by Pasquale Carusone’s 28. This year he has been thrust more into the attacking spot light and he certainly looks ready to pick up the slack after Carusone’s graduation. “I knew coming into the year I would be more involved in the scoring,” said Breitman. “I’m just trying to score as many goals as I can.” For the record, Breitman’s goals came with 15:50 remaining in the first half, and 25:04 and 15:26 left in the second. Two of these goals were assisted by Archie Smith, who also scored the fourth Princeton goal from point-blank range with 18:18 left in the second half. “When me and Archie started passing the ball back and forth  to each other things opened up,” said Breitman. “We have a good understanding with each other.” All in all it was a perfect day for Breitman, who is celebrating a birthday and was cheered on by his grandmother, uncle, father and mother in the stands. “It’s a great feeling to do this with my family here,” he said. Although the final score looks like a rout, it actually wasn’t for a long time as Hopewell Valley drew even 10 minutes into the second half on a pretty goal by Andrew Halko following a thru pass by Michael Muscente. The Hopewell Valley goal, however, seemed to ignite Princeton, which got a strong defensive game from center back and wrestler Chase Hamerschlag. After the Hopewell goal, Breitman scored the game winner and the second of his three goals five minutes later. Breitman also nearly scored more than three times and came very close on several other occasions. One of those came when he unleashed a beautiful left-footed shot that smashed against the crossbar in the second half. Breitman indicated he’s uncertain if he will play in college, but he’s obviously good enough to play somewhere on the next level. “I just want to keep on scoring as much as I can,” he said. “If I do that maybe the colleges will take notice.” He’s already got the full attention of the rest of the Colonial Valley Conference. Princeton (4-1-1) 1 3 — 4 Hopewell Valley (2-4-1) 0 1 — 1 Goals: P-Breitman 3, Smith. HV-Halko. Assists: P-Asiaie, Smith 2, Levia. HV-Muscente. Shots: P-17, HV-7. Saves: P-Holmelund 3, HV-Peck 6.