Determined Yorktown Looking to Take Next Step

By Tony Pinciaro

YORKTOWN came oh so close to playing for a sectional title last year. Unfortunately, the Cornhuskers were denied a title-game berth by Horace Greeley (1-0 on a late penalty kick) in a Class AA semifinal.

Having been within a game of a possible title, Yorktown is determined to take it one step further this season and emerge with a championship.

Yorktown is off to a quick start with victories over Sleepy Hollow (2-1), Arlington B (5-0) and Mamaroneck (2-0). The Arlington B and Mamaroneck games came in the Yorktown Tournament.

Senior and captain Peyton Case, who scored in the tournament-title-game victory over Mamaroneck, is optimistic about the team’s season.

“We’re very confident in our abilities and we are excited to see where we are going to make it,” said Case, a four-year varsity starter. “We have a desire to win and we get along very well as a team.”

The Cornhuskers won 12 games in 2023 under first-year Coach Ryan Langkfel. When Yorktown returned for preseason, Case said the team was prepared for year two with Langkfel.

“I think we all came in fit which was a good thing and that set us over the top,” Case said. “That, plus we were all used to his coaching and we knew what he expected of us.”

Even though Yorktown graduated five seniors, Langkfel returns a veteran nucleus, highlighted by Case and her classmates.

Joining Case are fellow seniors, Caitlin Mulvihill, Kendall Karden, Ava Chibbaro, Siobhan Mulvihill, Breanna Dicioccio, Caoimhe Vallely. Juniors, Amanda Linahan, Lea Bryant and  Isabella Walling are also returning.

Case said the team welcomed six newcomers – one junior, two sophomores and three freshmen. The transition to varsity has been smooth for the six players.

“They have helped to create a great connection,” Case said. “They’ve also been able to learn from the returnees which has made them very good at adapting to our team.”

One newcomer who has made an impact is goalie Autumn Richards. The junior has stepped in for the graduated Ciara O’Brien, who was a four-year player, including a two-year starter.

Richards has allowed one goal and made 18 saves in three games, and was selected the Yorktown Tournament Most Valuable Player. Caitlin Mulvihill was chosen to the all-tournament team.

“Following Ciara O’Brien, who was a really good goalie, Autumn has really stepped up for us,” Case said. “Mamaroneck had really good shots and Autumn was ready for them.

“Halfway through the game, coach switched our formation and I liked the way our defense adapted to it. That, and Autumn, really helped our team win.”

Yorktown opened the season with Kardon scoring both goals against Sleepy Hollow. Linahan and Walling had assists.

Kardon continued her hot start with a hat trick against Arlington B. Bryant added a goal and two assists and Vallely netted a goal. Richards made four saves for her first varsity shutout.

Dicioccio opened Yorktown’s scoring in the title game and Case doubled the lead. Kardon assisted on Case’s goal and Richard handled eight shots.

VALHALLA opened with a 3-2 victory over 2023 Section 1 Class B finalist Croton in the Bronxville Tournament as Violet Mattoni scored twice and Isabella Mattoni added a goal.

The sisters also assisted on each other’s goals. Goalie Giulia Rutigliano was huge in goal with 14 saves

“We came out strong against Croton,” Valhalla coach Chris Doerr said. “Our counter attacks had great promise resulting in a 3-0 halftime lead. Our defense was shutting everything down back there.

“Croton changed its formation in the second half. Although, not as strong in the second half, we held our own for the win. The girls played a tough, physical game that went all the way to the last whistle.”

Eastchester responded with two goals in the second half, snapping a tie for a 3-1 victory in the Bronxville Tournament final.

“We came out and played decently and were able to repel all of Eastchester’s attacks for most of the first half,” Doerr said. “Eastchester went up 1-0 and we responded with a goal from Violet within a minute. In the second half, we made two lapses in defense and Eastchester scored, making it 3-1.

“We didn’t respond immediately, which is something we, as a team, are working on. We also left a handful of great chances on the table that could have easily turned the game.”

BRIARCLIFF and Hen Hud hooked up for a classic in a Hen Hud Tournament first-round game. Following overtime, with the score even at 2-2, Briarcliff converted all five penalty kicks and it was needed as Hen Hud cashed in on four.

The Bears will play in the final, 11 a.m., Saturday, 9/21. They will face Croton, the team Briarcliff beat, in overtime, in the 2023 Section 1 Class B final.

“We needed a response after our big loss against Pleasantville,” Briarcliff Coach David Villalobos said. “The girls were eager to make things right and I told them that the next game was another day to get better. I also told the girls that this was going to be a difficult game against a really good Hen Hud team. Credit to Hen Hud for a great game.”

The Bears persevered after starting goalie Mia Gurreri sustained a head injury in the first half. Villalobos said sophomore Julia Mahoney stepped up and did an incredible job. Gurreri was cleared later in the game and returned for the shootout.

“I give huge credit to our five shooters – Mar Rivera Font, Gemma Fante, Gabriella Auguste, Lilah Prosperino and Estela Soffer. They were composed and didn’t allow the pressure to get to them. To go first and score first, it puts more pressure on the opponent to make theirs. Because we were involved in a tournament, we had been practicing them in training leading up to this game. This also helps assistant coach Lauren Pesce and myself to see who we are confident in taking the kick.”

CROTON faced a three-goal halftime deficit to Valhalla in a Bronxville Tournament first-round game. A strong second-half surge brought the Tigers within one, but Valhalla goalie Giulia Rutigliano was the difference in a 3-2 loss. Elle McManus scored the Croton goals.

“Valhalla came out strong in the first half putting in three goals in quick succession of each other,” Croton Coach Winston McKoy said. “Both teams were possessing the ball evenly in the first half, however Valhalla’s counterattacks looked promising.

“In the second half, we made some changes which gave us  more opportunities for attacking play,” the coach added. “We scored two. Valhalla was able to repel multiple attacking bombardments within the final 15 minutes of the game. Giulia made three highlight-reel saves to keep the score 3-2. Both teams played tough and competitively.”

Croton dropped a 1-0 verdict to Bronxville in the tournament consolation game.

The Tigers received balanced scoring in a 5-0 win over Putnam Valley as Gwen McManus, Vivian Obermeier, center back Gaby Stock, Ariel Gagne and Eliza Becker had goals.

PLEASANTVILLE received two goals and two assists from eighth-grader Sam Schultz, and Faith Brown also scored twice and added an assist in a 4-0 win over Irvington.

WHITE PLAINS were tied, twice, in three games. The Tigers sandwiched a pair of 2-2 draws, with North Rockland and Suffern, around a 2-1 loss to John Jay-East Fishkill.

Jordan Ford and Violeta Figueroa Montoya had the goals against North Rockland. Paige Kearon recorded an assist and Pilar Abdel-Aziz made six saves.

Manuela Victoria and Figueroa Montoya had the goals against Suffern. Melanie Rodriguez posted an assist and Abdel-Aziz made five saves.

MAHOPAC went 1-1 for first-year Coach James Carroll. The Wolfpac opened the week with a 3-1 loss to 2023 Section 1 Class A finalist Horace Greeley. Mahopac rebounded with a 2-0 win over archrival Carmel.

Fiona Kelleher had the goal against Horace Greeley, assisted by Niamh Kelleher. Brianna Savino had an excellent game in goal with 11 saves.

Fiona Kelleher had the Mahopac goals in its home-opening win against the Rams. Niamh Kelleher collected an assist. Savino had three saves.

FOX LANE was shut out by Mamaroneck, 4-0, then came back and blanked Arlington B, 7-0.

Berit Rose had a standout game in goal with 15 saves against Mamaroneck.

Amanda Mazzuca registered a hat trick against Arlington B. Natalie Mazzuca and Lauren Spolansky each had one goal and one assist and Amanda Griffin added two helpers.

 

Byram Hills’, Ossining and Haldane did not respond to emails requesting stats and additional info.

 

ANDY JACOBS/DAVID TABER PHOTOS