Hen Hud Settling In; Yorktown Topples Greeley in Class B Clash

By Tony Pinciaro

HEN HUD faced two questions entering the 2024 season as the Sailors had to replace their graduated starters and welcome a new coach as veteran head man Rob Molfetta retired. Through five games, the Sailors have made a smooth transition on both fronts with four victories for new, but familiar, Coach Rob Porter.

Porter has been an assistant for many years so Hen Hud did not have any difficulty getting adjusted to him.

“Having coach as our assistant for many years has allowed the players to develop a strong connection with him that has influenced our play on the field,” said senior and captain Lexi Robinson. “We look up to him not only as a coach, but as someone who has always been there for us and I believe that this has helped the transition between coaches and made the shift very easy for the team.”

Hen Hud’s latest victories came against Carmel (10-6) and Arlington (19-3), two Class AAA schools. These came after the Sailors were dealt a 19-7 loss by a loaded Nyack team.

Robinson and her teammates went to work in practice, addressing what they felt needed to be improved on from the Nyack game.

“We learned how important stick skills are, as Nyack hardly dropped the ball, as well as that it is important to never give up,” said Robinson, who will attend the University of Michigan in September. “We fought our way back, at points, throughout the game. That showed the heart and determination from our team which I believe will be a huge asset to us in the long run.”

Kayla McCarthy and Paige Montgomery led the Sailors against Carmel with four and three goals, respectively. Caitlin Pignitaro scored twice and Carleigh Ortiz had a goal and team-leading seven ground balls.

McCarthy, who surpassed 100 varsity points in Hen Hud’s season-opener, continued her goal-scoring binge with six against Arlington. Gianna Gagliardi and Pignitaro each had four goals. Pignitaro also had 10 ground balls, nine draw controls and created four turnovers.

Ortiz added three goals and two assists and Montgomery had two scores and five assists.

While the offense has been a major force through five games, Robinson has been impressed by the varsity newcomers and their immediate contributions.

“As a young team, some players have never faced the competition that our section has, but that has not stopped us,” Robinson said. “We have had many younger players step up, our new freshman goalie, Mia Dietz, being one, and they have grown tremendously since our first practice.

“Our returning players have also continued to grow and serve as leaders for the rest of our team.”

A win is always good. However, a victory over a larger school always helps a team’s confidence and also prepares it for a difficult schedule.

“These wins have given our team confidence to help us prepare for the later season,” Robinson said. “Our schedule is extremely demanding and difficult this season, but I believe this will allow us to get ready for what we will have to face during sectionals.”

VALHALLA received a hat trick and an assist from sophomore Elisha Jenkins in a 7-4 victory over Hastings. Jenkins, who scored her first varsity goal in the season-opener against Dobbs Ferry, has a team-leading six goals.

“The girls played tough for all four quarters and fought for every ground ball,” Valhalla Coach Chris Doerr said. “We also did a good job with our draw control which we worked on in practice.

“Our defense did a good job bouncing back from letting up two quick goals in the start of the game and then holding Hastings to only two goals for the remaining three quarters. Isabella Cardozo was strong in the net with 10 saves as well as clearing the ball.”
Lana Spota, Emma Grioli and Juliana Conley also had Valhalla goals.

YORKTOWN closed out the 2023 Section 1 season beating Horace Greeley in the Class B title game. The Cornhuskers and Quakers did not have to wait long to face off against each other as the defending champions prevailed, 9-5.

Balanced scoring was the theme for Yorktown as Brie Gaccino, Lily Diaz, Anne Cunneen and Ava Cunneen each scored two goals and had an assist. Diaz also added five draw controls and picked up three ground balls. Rowan Edson and Sami Rose scored two goals apiece for the Quakers.

PLEASANTVILLE had wins over New Rochelle and Fox Lane before closing with a tough 11-7 loss to Somers.

Erin Drillock and Faith Brown scored five goals apiece against New Rochelle. Juliana Karaqi added two goals and two assists, Jess Beck scored twice and had nine draw controls and Ella Collins registered five assists.

Brown scored five more goals and Drillock finished with a hat trick and four assists in the 11-6 win over Fox Lane.

“Fox Lane is a great team that is extremely well-coached,” Pleasantville Coach Hannah Tiso said. “We knew we needed to fight for the draw, be patient on offense, and play tough defense. The girls came out going 110% and fought the entire game, which led us to the position we were in.”

Ciara McCarthy made 10 saves. Brown filled out the stats’ sheet against Somers with a hat trick, two assists and five draw controls. Drillock added two goals, Ella Collins had three helpers and Beck also rang up five draw controls.

MAHOPAC dropped a 13-11 decision to Briarcliff in a game with sectional intensity. The Wolfpack came back and beat Nanuet, 16-9, raising its record to 2-3.

“It was a back-and-forth game all four quarters,” first-year Mahopac Coach Amanda Frederick said. “It was a tough and frustrating loss, but we learned a lot from what little mistakes can lead to. We regrouped and honed in on the mechanics and basics of the game which really helped us win vs. Nanuet. I’m so proud of how we regained control of our own narrative.”

Juliana Mangione had a complete game against Briarcliff with a team-best five goals. She also added four draw controls and four ground balls.

Gianna DeVito added two goals and two assists and Ashley Koch also scored two goals.

Koch led the ‘Pack against Nanuet with five goals, seven draw controls and five ground balls. Mangione finished with four goals, four draw controls and four ground balls and Erin Harney and DeVito each netted three goals.

WESTLAKE opened its season with an 11-8 victory over North Salem as Maeve Walsh scored a game-high five goals. Lia Prosperino added three goals and also had four draw controls and Shaina Picucci contributed two scores.

“I’m really proud of our effort,” Westlake Coach Dan Smith said. “All three phases of our game were clicking. North Salem was organized, well-coached and very athletic. We were able to play our game early and withstand the swings of momentum during the second and fourth quarters. For our first game and first win of the season, I’m happy with the result.”

CROTON added two more victories to its ledger and is now 3-1. The Tigers outscored Hastings and Dobbs Ferry, by a combined 28-10.

Victoria Finn scored a game-best five goals against Hastings and also added two assists and Taylor Aronstam registered a hat trick.
The game also had a few firsts as freshman Katelyn Quinlan finished with three goals and two assists, including her first varsity goal and assist. Freshman Lila Schmidt and eighth-graders Demtra Sofos and Olivia Finn also had their first varsity goals. Sofos also collected two assists.

Finn paced the offense against Dobbs Ferry with three goals. Lucia Thorsen, Taylor Aronstam, Quinlan and Schmidt each had two goals and Aronstam’s younger sister – Charlotte, an eighth-grader – scored her first varsity goal.

“We’re happy with the start, so far,” Croton Coach Ryan Callahan said. “We’re a young team and everyone continues to contribute and play meaningful minutes for us. Our team speed helps in the transition game and our underclassmen play a significant role on the team. Our team is led by captains, Taylor Aronstam, Lucia Thoreson and Victoria Finn. We are looking forward to continuing to develop and the challenges that we see.”

SOMERS cooled off a hot Pleasantville, 11-7, behind four goals from Sydney Ingraham and three scores from Jocelyn Klein.

“We controlled the first half, but Pleasantville continued their push and got it within two goals at the end of the third quarter,” Somers’ Coach Deb Daly said. “Our defense remained disciplined and we executed on offense with a total team effort. We were sharing the ball and we spread the scoring and assists across the boards. Campbell Sternberg had an amazing game and had clutch saves in every quarter.”

Lyla Mancini collected four assists and Molly Fink added two goals and four draw controls. Caitlyn Mayfield picked up a team-high seven ground balls.

CARMEL split a pair of games – dropping a 10-6 verdict to Hen Hud and rebounding to beat Lakeland/Panas, 9-7. Kaiyla Gard had a hand in five of Carmel’s six goals – three goals and two assists – against Hen Hud. Ava Connors added two scores and Sophia King had a goal.

Julia Lisi had an assist and won three draw controls, surpassing 100 in her varsity career.

Lisi registered a hat trick and Faith Mahoskey and Gard added two goals apiece against Lakeland/Panas. G Cat Tonchuck was huge in goal with 12 saves.

“It was an awesome team win in terrible weather,” said Carmel Coach Kerry Hackert of the torrential downpour. “We dominated the draw in the third quarter and we were 5 for 7 on our 8-meter shots! Cat came up with three big saves at the end of the game to solidify our win.”

PUTNAM VALLEY has split four games this season. After White Plains and Briarcliff bested the Tigers, they bounced back to beat Valhalla and Keio. FOX LANE only played once and lost to rival John Jay-Cross River, 13-6. Kami Boniello and Cora Moore scored two goals apiece and Zoe Stonecipher added a goal and two assists.

 

ANDY JACOBS/DAVID TABER PHOTOS