Yorktown Tames JJCR in OT, Falls to No.2 Ridgefield
News Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Somers, Greeley, Fox Lane Remain Unbeaten; L/P Nips Pac
By Ray Gallagher, Examiner Sports Editor @Directrays
The opponent was problematic, but the finish was the issue. Visiting YORKTOWN knew full well that nationally-ranked (No.2) Ridgefield (CT) would create problems for the reigning Section 1 Class B champion Huskers Saturday, but Yorktown squandered a 5-4 lead and fell 10-6 in Saturday’s cross-state showdown between two of the nation’s top programs.
Despite three goals from sophomore Gianluca Marchini and three points from senior Ryan Vogel (1G, 2A), the Huskers attack stalled throughout portions of the second half. Brady McEnroe and Brady Sheridan each added a goal for the Huskers (3-1), who never duck a challenge.
“Our faceoff guy, Chad Bowen, went down with an injury, which didn’t help, but we got a little stagnant and just couldn’t seem to get into a rhythm,” Vogel admitted. “We have to build off this loss and have it motivate us the rest of the season.”
Yorktown also had to sweat out a 8-7 overtime triumph of John Jay CR earlier in the week when Marchini dropped another monster goal during extra time.
Yorktown All-American LSM Chris Constantine, who notched a career-high three goals, tied the game 35 seconds left in the fourth quarter after Drew Weissman put the Huskers up 7-6. Wolve Jon Altneu tied the game at 1:52 in regulation. James Carney (2G, 1A), Weissman (1G, 1A), Marchinni (1G), Vogel (1G) found the scoresheet. Yorktown G Hunter Mezzatesta made 18 saves and FOGO Bowen won 10 of 19 faceoffs.
In other Class B action, HORACE GREELEY (3-0) trounced Tappan Zee, 17-5, behind a seven-point effort from Matthew Byrne (3G, 4A) and five more from Jameson Blakeslee (3G, 2A). Jack Holub (4G) and Connor Lummel (3G) fueled the Quaker attack while G Luke Kaplow made 13 saves and M Luke Tavolacci won 16 of 24 faceoffs.
Unbeaten SOMERS put it on Class D PUTNAM VALLEY in a 16-0 thrashing when Mac ‘The Knife’ Sullivan (3G, 4A), ‘Gettin’ Miggy’ Iglesias (2G, 3A), Grayden Carr (2G, 1A), Ryan Brush (2G, 1A), Matt Mayfield (2G, 1A) and Tristan Iglesias (2G, 1A) were all over the Tigers. Coach Jordan Hirsch’s Tuskers (5-0) were all over HEN HUD, too, in a 13-3 romp, doing so behind Mason Kelly (4G, 1A), Carr (hat trick), Sullivan (1G, 4A), Brush (1G, 3A) and Iglesias (1G, 1A). Sailors (1-2) Kevin Ryan, James McManus and Dean Pastalov each put one between the pipes but not nearly enough against a Somers club that also clouted BRIARCLIFF, 16-3. Miguel Iglesias (2G, 3A), Carr (3G, 1A), Sullivan (3G), Tristain Iglesias (3G), Kelly (2G, 1A) and Mayfield (16/17 FO) were dominant against the rebuilding Bears, who saw Harrison Winger score twice.
FOX LANE owned Blind Brook in an 8-1 whipping when John Mains bagged a hatty. Owen Baker (2G, 1A), Ryan Nathan (2G) and Declan Connors (2A) all had multi-point games for the Foxes (4-0).
Section 2 powerhouse Shenendehowa worked a 9-8 decision over visiting LAKELAND/PANAS despite a pair of hat tricks from Bubba Baumeister and Kyle Gallagher.
There was a time when the Lakeland/Panas (2-1) vs. Mahopac (0-3) rivalry really moved the needle when the two were the upper crust of Class A lax throughout the 1990’s and early 2000’s, but there wasn’t nearly as much buzz in L/P’s 5-4 win over Mahopac last week. But Rebels Thomas Kuney (1G, 3A), Jack Jimenez (1G, 1A), Vinny Savastano (1G), Will Moore (1G) and Michael Ahlstedt (1G) did just enough in front of Rebel G K.C. Bryan (8 saves) to get the upper hand. L/P did a top notch job on St. John’s-bound Mahopac M Danny Koch (1G,1A) while Liam Scanlon (1G), Bryan Margolis (1G) and Cam Hart (1G) kept it interesting to the finish.
WESTLAKE had itself a solid week, dropping an 17-4 bomb on OSSINING before besting visiting CROTON-HARMON, 11-7, Saturday.
Ossining had nothing to stop Chris Kalle (6G, 3A), who dropped nine points on the Pride (0-2). Cole Barnett (3G, 3A) and Chase Sorby (2G, 4A) added some serious scoring punch while pole Michael Pagan gobbled seven GBs. The Pride was led by Tommy McCormack (3G, 1A) .
Against Croton-Harmon, the Pagan-led defense did not allow a second half goal and Isaiah Rivera (5G) went off. Cole Barnett (2G, 3A) and Stephen DiNapoli (1G, 4A) added support for G Collin Doria (11 saves). The Croton combo of Carter Schmidt (4G) and Sean Grimes (1G, 3A) did some first-half damage.
Owen Baker (3G, 2A) went to town in FOX LANE’s 10-4 win over Harrison. John Mains (3G), James Minotti (2G), Jack Fabry (1G, 1A) and Kevin New (1G, 1A) all scored multiple points while M Will Gilligan won 12 of 14 in the box.
BREWSTER (3-2) put up 23 goals in wins over Rye Neck (10-1) and Pearl River (13-7).
Against Rye Neck, Luke Cunningham (2G, 3A) ate and fed for five points. Tre Ficarra (2G, 1A), Harrison Schmitt (3G) Cameron LaMoreaux (1G), Jason Weller (1G) and A.J. Acurso (1G) all found the stat sheet. Cunningham was busy again against Pearl River, dropping nine points (6G, 3A). Weller (2G, 4A) and Cameron LaMoreaux (2G) contributed to an 8-2 run after halftime.
BYRAM HILLS defeated Bethlehem Central, 9-6, when Erik Pero (3G), Reid DuToit (2G, 2A), Erik Cipriano (2G) and Christian Cipriano (1G, 2A) took advantage of the possession afforded by M Adam Lefkowitz, who won 15 of 17 faceoffs to aid the Bobcats (1-2) in overcoming a 4-3 halftime deficit.
PLEASANTVILLE (3-1) suffered its first loss of the season against perennial powerhouse New Canaan (CT), 17-5, before rebounding for a decisive 16-5 win over rival BRIARCLIFF. The Bears (0-4) had no answers for the Picart brothers: Aidan Cotter (5G) and Daniel Picart (3G, 1A). Panthers Erik Coleman (2G, 2A), Nick Reich (2G, 2A), Emmet McDermott (2G, 1A), Hank McCourtney (1G, 3A) and David Hundzyski (16 of 20 faceoff wins) all played a major role in the rematch of last year’s Section 1 title tilt.
New Canaan jumped out to a quick 6-1 lead after the first quarter and were up 9-2 at half. Aidan Cotter (1), McCourtney (2G), Reich (1G), Daniel Picart (1) and McDermott (2A) found the stat sheet was tough to fill in a matchup of nationally-ranked teams (P’Ville No.23 & New Canaan 24 among public schools).
ANDY JACOBS/DAVID TABER PHOTOS
Ray has 33 years experience covering and photographing local sports in Westchester and Putnam counties, including everything from Little League/Travel Baseball to varsity high school prep sports and collegiate coverage. He has been a sports editor at Examiner Media since its inception in 2007.
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