PRINCETON — Ella McLaren knew she was going to have a different role this season for the Princeton Day School girls soccer team. Sure, the junior was still going to be lining up as the left-sided center back, but many of the pieces from that state-title winning side had moved on to play college soccer. “I’m taking on more a leader role with the back,” McLaren said. “Last season, I had Tochi (Owunna) and the season before that I had Kirsten (Ruf) at center back with me. Since Tochi left, I’m filling her shoes. I’m very happy to do that, but it’s a much more challenging role now.” McLaren had a breakout sophomore season during PDS’ run to the Non-Public A title. She was the only non-senior to make The Trentonian’s CVC Best XI. “Ella was unbelievable,” coach Chris Pettit said. “She single-handedly, at times, is a brick wall back there. She reads the game so well, she’s go good in the air, she’s so good in a tackle and then when she gets the ball she looks up and she’s composed.” Still, there have been growing pains as the Panthers cope with having a target on their back as a defending state champ. They had an uneven preseason due to multiple factors and got off to a slow start, but that was followed by a five-game winning streak. They’ve now dropped two straight — a tight 1-0 decision to CVC Colonial foe Hopewell Valley and a 3-0 defeat to a Shawnee team ranked in the top five in the state — ahead of the season’s final push. McLaren has tried to be the steadying force. “I’m definitely trying to be more vocal this year, especially since I’m an upperclassman now,” she said. “I’m not afraid to speak up to the team. And by the way I’m playing, but making more runs forward, hitting linger passes and directing how the girls are going to be playing on the field.” Even in that loss to Shawnee, McLaren was one of the best players on the pitch. The result likely would have been lopsided if she wasn’t back there, and PDS had a spell early in the second half to get level before a quick counterattack put it out of reach. But it was also a game you have to learn from because that’s what they are like this time of year. PDS has big matches coming up against Notre Dame and Allentown in the regular season, the CVC Tournament and then the state playoffs where it is grouped in Non-Public B South with top-ranked Rutgers Prep. “I know it’s scary in front of big crowds, but you just have to play your own game,” McLaren said. “Play for your team, don’t play for yourself because if you’re playing for yourself you’re not going to go as far as if you go with your team. It’s going to be nerve-racking, but you have to get through it.” Her coach knows she’ll show up in those big moments. It’s what First Team All-League players do. “She makes everybody around her a lot better,” Pettit said. “I’ve seen a lot of great performances from Ella.” *** Hopewell Valley can clinch at least a share of the Colonial Division title with a win at Allentown — John McGinley’s side can win it outright on Tuesday if it wins and Notre Dame and Robbinsville both fail to win their games — but if you like chaos there’s a scenario in which there is a four-way tie atop the Colonial Division heading into the final round of games on Oct. 15. How would results on Tuesday have to break for that happen? If Allentown beats league-leader Hopewell Valley at home, Notre Dame wins at PDS and Robbinsville tops Lawrence at the Steven J. Mayer Athletic Complex, then all four would be on nine points with one to play. The final Colonial match day pairings: PDS at Allentown; Hopewell Valley at Robbinsville; Notre Dame at Steinert; Princeton High at Lawrence. Buckle up! Hopewell Valley’ Delainey Ross, center, heads the ball as she’s challenged by Notre Dame’s Reagan O’Mara, left, during a CVC Colonial Division girls soccer game on Thursday afternoon at Ackerson Field in Hopewell Twp. (Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo) *** The CVC Player of the Year race is as wide open as it has been in years. With no elite goal scorer like in years past, the award could find its way to a defender or box-to-box midfielder. Here is the midseason watch list: Ella McLaren, Jr., PDS: Read above. Caileigh Guzik, Sr., Robbinsville: The reason the Ravens are still in play for a division title is their senior sweeper. Becca Boggs, Jr., Lawrence: The midfielder is the CVC points leader with 28. She also ranks first in the league in assists with 12. Isabella Daley, Jr., Notre Dame: Daley is another contender in a strong group of center backs. She’s quick to cut out danger and isn’t afraid to carry the ball herself up the pitch. Reagan O’Mara, Sr., Notre Dame: The senior forward has come to life in front of goal. She has scored six in the last six games. Delainey Ross, Jr. Hopewell Valley: The Bulldogs are in pole position in the CVC Colonial thanks in large part to the work Ross does in both boxes. Robbinsville’s Caileigh Guzik, right, defends as Lenape’s Emily Ramirez, left, moves with the ball during an NJSIAA girls soccer game on Saturday morning at the Steven J. Mayer Athletic Complex in Robbinsville. (Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo) *** Pennington celebrated its Homecoming with a 2-0 victory over McDonogh of Maryland on Saturday night on the back of two goals from Maya Raghanundanan. The Red Hawks have already clinched at least a share of the MAPL title (all they need is a win over Lawrenceville to complete an undefeated league season) and will go for their third straight Prep title this month. Pennington (7-2) is the No. 2 seed in the Prep A bracket — the prep schools went back to A and B brackets after combining to one tournament last season — and opens that tournament against Hun (1-5-3). First-round matches are to be played on or before Oct. 16. Mount St. Dominic (9-0) is the top seed and has home-field advantage throughout. Peddie (4-3-2) is the No. 6 seed and faces No. 3 Blair (7-2); Lawrenceville (1-7-1) has the No. 8 seed and a trip to MSD in the opening round. No. 4 seed Pingry (7-3) and No. 5 seed Kent Place (5-5-1) round out the field.