What better way to set milestones than doing so against archrival Carmel.
The Wolf Pac was up to the task in a 17-4 triumph over the visiting Rams on April 16 when senior Gianna Cirelli scored her 100th career goal, Gianna DeVito tallied her 100th point and Reese Harney scored her first varsity goal. Just days before, Wolf Pac senior Ashley Koch popped her 150th career goal in an 11-8 win over visiting Lakeland/Panas on April 14.
Mahopac coach Amanda Mende said the team has shown a lot of growth in recent games.
“Class B is down three teams from last year, now making it the smallest in the section, which just means it is that much more competitive for us,” Mende said. “Not only is it the smallest, but it has huge powerhouses like Nyack (ranked fourth in the nation) and Yorktown, who we fell to earlier this season.
“That being said, we feel really confident that we can make it to the No. 3 or 4 seed,” the coach continued. “The team that we have this year is really special and if we could have re-dos of the first few weeks of the season, with all of those games we played, we would love to. Now that we’re at full strength, we’re just that much more confident and we’re truly playing at the high, competitive level that I knew this team was always capable of.”
Mende called the Shaker win an attitude shift.
“I think that game really proved to the girls that they’re capable of doing anything they put their minds and hearts to,” she said.
Mahopac lost to Shaker by a goal last April with almost the exact same group of girls on the field.
“I think it proved to them that the fixes and hustle we are instilling this year are actually working,” Mende said.
Seeing her players achieve individual milestones was all the sweeter coming in wins—especially if the players can keep their eyes on the prize.
“The personal accolades are awesome and well-deserved,” Mende said. “That being said, I have a weekly, if not daily, conversation with the girls on how to maintain focus. Focus on the now; focus on the team goal. The team goal is to win.
“This year, the girls really have their priorities straight,” the coach added. “I think if we could go 16-0—and if not a single player had a major milestone—our players would still be happy and thriving because it’s a team sport! We want to win as a team! Nonetheless, I’m beyond thrilled for these girls. All of the achievements they’re earning are seriously very well deserved. They work so hard.”
The onslaught against Carmel featured a ton of contributors as the Wolf Pac improved to 5-3 on the season. At the halfway point of the season, Mahopac sits pretty as the No. 6 seed in Section 1 Class B.
Sam Mazzella (1A, 1GB), DeVito (4G), Cirelli (5G, 2A, 4DC, 4GB), Bella Gangemi (2G, 5A, 6DC, 3GB), Koch (5G, 1A, 2DC, 1GB), Kayleigh Pontillo (1CTO), Jordyn Wanner (2A, 3GB, 1CTO), Shay Massett (2GB, 1CTO), Giana Puckhaber (3DC, 2GB, 2CTO), Cadence McGuire (1DC), Harney (1G, 1GB), Brianna Artuso (1A), Amanda Carey (2 saves) and Emma Aguila (1 save) had their sticks in complete control.
Against Lakeland/Panas, Cirelli (4G, 1GB, 5DC) dominated while Gangemi (3G, 2A, 1GB, 5DC) and Koch (3G, 2GB, 2DC) each bagged a hat trick. DeVito (1G), Grace Gaine (3GB), Izzi Jisella (2GB), Shay Massett and Carey (1GB each), Puckhaber (3DC) and Carey (5 saves) all played key roles against a solid Rebel outfit.
Against Section 2’s Shaker, the Wolf Pac went north and produced a 15-11 win behind unstoppable efforts from Koch (6G, 2A, 2GB, 5DC) and Gangemi (5G, 4A, 1GB, 9DC), who ruled the midfield. Cirelli (2G, 1A, 1DC), DeVito (1G, 1A), Wanner (1G, 2GB), Puckhaber (4GB, 1CT), Gaine and Massett (1GB each) all supported Carey (8 saves, 2GB), who also notched her 400th career save in a 16-7 win over Hen Hud.
The usual suspects were at it again against the Sailors, including well-rounded efforts from Koch (5G, 4A, 4GB, 6DC), Cirelli (5G, 2A, 2GB, 3DC, 2CT) and Gangemi (3G, 1A, 6DC, 2CT). Wanner (1G), Massett (1G, 3GB, 1CT), Brianna Artuso (first varsity goal) and Carey (who had 8 saves and recently topped the 400-save career mark) were in it to win it.
“Individual milestones are great and it emphasizes the work we’ve done in the offseason and especially when it translates to our team success,” Koch said. “I’m very proud of all my teammates and the individual milestones they are receiving. We have been working hard and I am pleased with how our team is getting better each day. We are focused on getting ready for the postseason.”
Host Clarkstown South was on deck on April 22, with a visit to Wappingers to follow on April 24 before the Wolf Pac returns home on April 27 and 30 against Brewster and Scarsdale, respectively.
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