Pleasantville Pops Suffern, Greenwich; Mahopac Falls to Rye
News Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
By Ray Gallagher, Examiner Sports Editor @Directrays
In a couple early-season marque games last Wednesday, Section 1 Class D champion BRIARCLIFF answered the bell with a resounding 8-6 win over CLASS A runner-up Mamaroneck while reigning Class B champion Rye (now in Class C) stuck a fork in Class B MAHOPAC, which suffered a 12-7 setback at home after holding a first-half lead.
Briarcliff, which followed up the Mamaroneck win with a 12-4 loss to Comsewogue Saturday, saw Josh Newman (2G, 1A), Lucas Proctor (3G) and Alex Kirshenbaum (3G) all score three points while Harrison Winger (2A) set up a pair of pops.
But the big story was the continued excellence of Jameson Wong (20 saves) between the pipes. Wong was under siege in the second half against Comsewogue but still made 18 saves.
MAHOPAC’s upset bid over defending Section 1 Class B champion Rye went awry in the Garnets 12-7 come-from-behind win over the host Indians last Wednesday. Garnet hotshot Garrett Sullivan torched the Indians with four goals and one assist. Gavin Viglucci notched a hat trick for the Indians while senior A Jake Degnan (1A) scored twice, including a diving first-quarter goal.
Ryan Geoghagen (1G, 1A), John Kearney (2A), Mike Rettberg (1G) and Liam Dodd (1A) added points for the Indians, who more than held their own through three quarters, trailing by two entering the fourth.
“It was a big learning day for us,” Mahopac Coach Jon Bota said. “There are a lot of things we can take away from that fourth quarter along with many positives from throughout the game.”
Indian G Tommy Jacobelis came up with 12 saves as an inexperienced defensive unit found some footing.
PLEASANTVILLE is handling some bigger programs with relative ease, putting a 19-6 thumping on Class A Suffern and a 12-6 beatdown on CT power Greenwich.
Against Suffern, Nick Reich (5G, 1A) had a career day. Daniel Picart (3G, 3A) added six points while Emmet McDermott (2G, 2A) had four points. Freshman Michael Hundzynski notched a hatty for the Panthers. Against Greenwich, Picart and Coleman were spitting four goals apiece while Reich had the hat trick and set up another
FOX LANE’s Tate Morrow scored twice in an 8-7 win over Rye Neck.
CARMEL’s Thomas Connolly (4G) and Damien Santiago (3G, 2A) filled the nets but it wasn’t enough to knock off North Rockland in an 18-11 setback. Connolly also mastered CROTON when he went for six goals and three assists in a 15-8 win. Burly junior Matt Risley put up a five-spot and created two more with two assists while Santiago went for a pair. Bryce Laemei (3G, 3A) had a hand in six goals for the Tigers while Sean Grimes and Carter Schmidt each scored a pair.
LAKELAND/PANAS looked sharp in an 11-6 win over visiting Shenendehowa Saturday when Kyle Gallagher scored three and set up another for the Rebels, who secured the first in Coach Joe Macchi’s career. Michael Pisacreata (2G, 1A), Justin Stabile (2G, 1A), Will Moore (2G, 1A) and Oban Rader (2G) provided additional scoring options.
Tyler Howard and Chase Sorby combined for four goals in WESTLAKE’s 10-7 loss to Rye Neck.
Blue Devil hotshot Evan Giachinta led HALDANE to a 15-1 win over Dobbs Ferry, scoring five goals and dishing one assist. Fallou Faye (4G), Liam Gaugler (3G) Frankie DiGiglio (2G, 4A) added to the slaughter.
SOMERS vs. HEN HUD featured some stellar net play from both Tuskers G L. Pepe (13 saves) and Sailor G Joe Connolly (23 saves), but Somers posted a 7-4 win behind M Anthony Moschides dominance on faceoffs where he won 13 of 14 draws. Tuskers Miguel Iglesias (3G, 1A), Mac Sullivan (2G, 2A), Nick Newman (1G, 1A) and G. Carr (1G, 1A) all found the back of the net. James McManus (3G, 1A) and Thomas Popolizio (2A) paced the Sailors, who then went on to defeat Cardinal Hayes, 15-4, Saturday when Dean Hiltsley (7G, 1A) had an eight-point game. The Tuskers were beaten by Wilton Saturday.
PUTNAM VALLEY
The Tigers defeated Sleepy Hollow, 8-6, in their season opener when the youth movement was on full display. Sophomores Caden Glen and Trevor Wendol each recorded the first hat trick of their varsity careers. Junior G Alex Gecaj made10 saves and PV Defense played superbly, according to Coach Tim Weir. Tigers Andrew Grippo (1G, 2A) and Chris DeGiorgio (1G) also found the back of the net.
The Tigers (2-0) followed that win up with a 12-5 triumph of Dobbs Ferry Saturday behind DeGiorgio’s 7-point effort (4G, 3A, 10 GB and 8/12 on FO), Glenn added six points (3G, 3A) while Wendol notcher another hatty and Thomas Cunningham (2G, 1A) stepped up, too. Gecaj had 8 saves.
BYRAM HILLS posted a 13-8 season-opening win over Tappan Zee.
Examiner-area coaches are encouraged to report results and comments to raygallaghersports@gmail.com after each and every game
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.
Visit Ray’s author bio page for more details. Also read Ray’s archived work here and his Direct Rays column here.
