MAHOPAC, N.Y.—The Mahopac varsity girls lacrosse team opened its season Saturday at home, and went punch-for-punch with Tappan Zee before falling in heartbreaking fashion, 14-13, on a goal with three seconds remaining in regulation.
The two teams were tied at 2-2 after one quarter, before the Lady Dutchmen outscored the host 6-3 in the second to grab an 8-5 halftime edge.
Mahopac (which never led) trailed 13-11 when Gianna Cirelli scored off an assist from Erin Harney to close the gap to one, with two minutes to play.
The Pac tied the game at 13-13 with 30 seconds remaining on another Cirelli goal, this time unassisted.
But TZ clinched the win with a goal with three seconds remaining.
“We knew it would be an evenly matched game,” Mahopac coach Amanda Frederick said. “They’re young, but a seasoned team, and the first game is always tough. We came out a little slow. At halftime, we cleaned up some of our mistakes, but the passing and catching was not where we wanted it to be. We closed the gap at the end, it just wasn’t quite enough.”
Cirelli, one of nine returning starters for Mahopac, had a clutch game with five goals, two assists, and 10 draw controls. Ashley Koch and Bella Gangemi each had a hat trick for the Wolf Pac, Harney had a goal and two assists, and Gianna DeVito had a goal and one assist. Keeper Amanda Carey stopped 13 shots on net for Mahopac.
“In the third and fourth periods, we looked good, and took control,” Frederick said. “The fact that we were able to get close was good for us mentally. Carey really kept us in it, she had a great game, and Cirelli is doing exactly what we need. Koch and Gangemi also came up big for us. Ashley is an amazing scorer and defender, and we’re excited to see what she can do this season.”
Koch, a junior midfielder (headed for D1 UMass Lowell), will be a captain this season, along with senior attacker Harney, and senior defender Kaitlin Grow.
“Our captains are a perfect balance of attack, defense, mid… All areas of the field,” the coach said. “So far they’ve been great leaders, the team has respect for them, and values what they say.”
Koch, Cirelli (Jr.), and Harney were starters last year, and Jisella Izzi (Jr.), Gianna DeVito (So.), Grace Gaine (Jr.), Shay Massett (So.), Giana Puckhaber (So.), and Carey (Jr.) all saw starting action as well.
Gangemi, a freshman, is on Frederick’s list of players to watch, along with freshman newcomer Mia Ryan (D), and sophomore keeper Emma Aguila.
“Bella is someone to watch, she’s been great on the draw, and is a great goal-scorer,” Frederick said. “Mia can be special — she’s one of our stronger defenders as a freshman, and has great footwork. And Emma can be a fantastic goalie, she can be great when she gets in there.”
Frederick says the Pac has high hopes after finishing 7-11 last year and losing in the quarterfinals of the playoffs last year to Fox Lane.
“I think our strength is our returning experience and our knowledge of the game,” the coach said. “We return seasoned veterans, we can score and defend, and move people around, we have skill, and we’re young. That should be good for us this year — and next year. The key this year is that we need that winning record. We believe we’re ready to take the next step, and we want people to believe in this team. We believe we have a lot of potential.”
Mahopac was set to play at Pearl River on Friday, April 4, at 4:30 p.m.; the Pac then plays at home on Tuesday, April 8, taking on Ursuline at 5 p.m.
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