PRINCETON — When you hear the phrase “it runs in the family,” you certainly hope the individual it refers to is doing something good.

When it applies to the Princeton Tigresses’ Kiley Schenck, the BCR Girls Soccer Player of the Year, it is something very good.

Following the example of her brother Brett, last year’s BCR Boys Player of the Year, Kiley’s work ethic and competitive spirit contributed to her team throughout her four years of playing for PHS.

“Kiley is a goal-scorer,” PHS coach David Gray said. “That was her role for us, and she did it well.”

Schenck had 18 goals this season, which was double the next scorer for PHS. For her career, she netted a total of 33 goals as a Tigress, ranking sixth all-time for PHS.

“Kiley always knew where to be in front of the net,” Gray added, “and had an ability to put it away.”

Schenck took to the game early.

“I was probably 3 years old when I signed up for PYSL, because that was what everyone was doing,” she said. “I never lost interest and have loved it ever since.”

Schenck says what she likes most about playing soccer is “probably just the friendships that were formed. Obviously I love the game, but playing with your friends is fun.”

She considers the simplicity of the concept of the game easiest for her.

“It’s super fast to learn,” she said. “You have 11 players on the field and have to try to score a goal, but the hardest part is all the combinations you can have, all the different ways you can hit a ball like curving, spinning.

“Also the strengths and weaknesses of the players around you, how to deal with that as well as your own.”

Schenck mentions a couple of Tigresses she worked especially well with.

“Corrine Peterson was up front with me, so we worked together a lot,” she said. “Lauren McMillan on the wing, I think she does really well combining with us forwards in creating plays.”

One would wonder whether having a sibling who excelled in playing the game would be a help or hindrance.

“I would say both, honestly. Like, he was very successful, so there’s a lot to live up to,” Schenck said. “But at the same time, it’s my drive.

“He was always very helpful. Just watching him develop in his game pushed me to do even better.”

She gives praise to her PHS coaches as well.

“We’re definitely fortunate to have the coaching staff we do,” she said. “Coach Gray was great, and we also had coach Sinclair and coach Barajas helping out.”

Kiley mentioned the conditioning required compared to other activities she’s been involved in.

“I did play golf for two years, and I cheered for a few,” she said. “But yeah, this is definitely the most physically demanding.”

Schenck recalls her start as a high school player.

“Freshman year was definitely scary because I was on varsity,” she said. “But Michaela Mall and Michaela Strom helped out a lot.”

“Sophomore year was more exciting because I got more playing time and was even starting,” she added. “With Coach Young, a highlight was against IVC when I had a hat trick in the first 10 minutes and it was his 200th program win. That was exciting.”

Hopes were high for her senior year.

“We didn’t have very many seniors that graduated last year, so all of us were pretty much returning and adding a few juniors, so I got to stay with most of the same girls, so that was fun,” she said.

Her determination again showed throughout her senior year, but especially in the Tigresses’ 2A regional final game against Alleman (won by the Pioneers 6-1), where she scored a goal late in the second half to at least avert a shutout score.

“Losing to them twice in a row, they ended our season last year and this year, that was really unfortunate,” she said. “That’s a game I would like to get back, for sure.”

As for her future plans, she says, “I’m going to play for North Park University in Chicago, so that’ll be fun.”

Anything past that, so far, she’s still pondering.

“I keep changing my mind, but I want to do something with social work, or maybe an English teacher,” she said. “So after school, I could join the Peace Corps or Teach For America, before I go and actually teach. They seem like really good organizations.”