Rebels, Bears, Huskers Advance to Semifinals

MAHOPAC

No.5 Mahopac put forth a valiant effort at No.4 Mamaroneck in the Class A Sectional Quarterfinal game, but it was the Tigers coming out on top by a goal, 15-14, ending the Indians hopes of extending its season.

Both teams got out to a quick start offensively and Mamaroneck led the game 10-8 at halftime. Even though Mahopac allowed the Tigers just five goals in the second-half, it was Mamaroneck moving on to the next round and the Indians heading home.

“My heart breaks to see this team’s season end,” Mahopac Coach Jim Lieto said. “They are an amazing collection of young ladies, and it was an honor to have the privilege of being their coach…to have a winning record (8-7-2) with a schedule that is rated as the second hardest out of 50 Section 1 schools, is quite an accomplishment.”

Eight of Mahopac’s games this season were decided by two-goals or less, which Lieto says shows the heart and determination of his entire team, especially the senior-class.

“Since last July they have stood up and led this team,” Lieto said. “They did the best job of teaching their teammates that I have ever seen.  They are a truly special group of young ladies who I know will succeed in their years after Mahopac High School.”

Captains Victoria Cirocco, Alyssa Corace, Kaitlin Nolan, and Victoria DiFusco, along with the rest of the senior class have greatly impressed Lieto this season and have set a standard for Mahopac girls’ lacrosse for seasons to come.

“Even in our final minutes just before getting off the bus at the high school a few seniors spoke up about how much they appreciated playing with the underclassmen and gave some tremendous words of encouragement and advice for the future,” Lieto said. “It was one of those moments that makes sports so amazing and helped to heal the sting of such a close loss.”

Junior Samantha Karner will undoubtedly be counted on to for leadership as she enters her senior season next year.

Karner led Mahopac offensively against Mamaroneck, netting six goals in the loss. DiFusco, Cirocco, Nolan, and Corace combined to score all eight of the Indians other goals in the game.

Junior goalie Gabriella Anderson will also be counted on when she enters her senior season next year. Anderson collected 12-saves in 50 minutes against the Tigers.

SOMERS

After winning its league, No.5 Class B Somers looked primed to make a deep run in the sectional playoffs but all hopes of a championship were halted Saturday at Scarsdale where the Tuskers suffered a 15-14 loss, abruptly ending their impressive (13-5) season.

Nicole DeMase and Tara Coogan led the Tuskers in scoring in the loss with three goals apiece. Sarah Mink added two goals and two assists and Claire Roediger, Quinn Cartelli, Tara Schurr, and Christina Jocelyn each tacked on one goal of their own.

The Tuskers will graduate eight seniors in June; Sarah Mink, Jamie Sisca, Carly Shaw, Courtney Peist, Maggie Golden, Cartelli, Coogan and Roediger, which means the Tuskers will look to its current junior and sophomore classes to fill the void.

Sophomores Emma and Tara Schurr, along with junior Jocelyn will be counted on to provide much of the teams’ offense in 2013.

Finding a solid replacement for senior goalie, Shaw, is a must for the Tuskers. Shaw played an enormous role for Somers this season in keeping leads in close games. She and the rest of the Tusker defense allowed less than ten goals in twelve of the teams’ eighteen games this season.

HEN HUD

After beating Kennedy earlier last week in the first playoff game, the second-seeded Class C Sailors met their match at home against Byram Hills in an 11-7 loss that ended Hen Hud’s preseason goal of making it past sectional quarterfinals.

On the bright-side for the Sailors, virtually all of its talent is returning for 2013 with a roster that bolsters possibly the best 2012 junior classes in the section, which includes the schools’ all-time goals leader Kennedy Sherman, along with Bailey Stewart, Lindsey Luposello, Alexa Seger, and Angela Marriot.

With all that talent returning, it will be interesting to see if the Sailors can make a deeper push toward a sectional championship next year.

YORKTOWN

The No.7 Huskers edged John Jay Cross River Saturday 12-10 to keep their season alive.

Reigning Class B championYorktown outscored John Jay 6-5 in both the first and second halves with multiple goal performances from Bianca Raniolo (4), Kara Starkey (3), and Gabby Berne (2). Stefanie Ranagan, Emily Concialdi and Emma Kaishian each scored one.

Husker goalie Katie Frederick made 12-saves to keep John Jay chances of victory out of reach. Yorktown was scheduled to take on Brewster Monday.

LAKELAND/PANAS

It seems all top-seeded Lakeland-Panas does is win, especially in high-stakes playoff games.

The five-time defending Class A champion Rebels did not disappoint Saturday with a 19-7 win over White Plains, improving the teams’ undefeated season record to (15-0-2).

Emma Bozek and Molly Fitzpatrick each netted five goals in the game and Alexa Bonnes added four of her own. Amanda Vasta had two goals and Taylor Scialdone, Chyna Hill, and Kate Weldon each had one. The Rebels were set to face No.4 Mamaroneck Monday.

BREWSTER

Brewster beat Horace Greeley 15-11 Saturday at home, as three Bears players scored three or more goals.

Liz Leshaj led third-seeded Brewster with six goals in the game and Kristin Ohberg and Megan Yarusso each had three. Lilly Leshaj, Claire Quinn, and Jesse Blumberg each scored one. Brewster takes on No.7 Yorktown next.

PUTNAM VALLEY

In a Class C quarterfinal game at No. 3 Irvington, the Tigers could not stop Kristen Palese, who had eight goals and an assist for the Bulldogs in a 17-15 win. Erin McCrudden had seven goals and two assists for the No. 6 Tigers..