Coming off a solid 9-7-1 season, second-year Mahopac coach Jess Ascencao, a big-time winner within the Lakeland system as a 2018 graduate, is hoping to take the Wolf Pac on a deep playoff run this fall. After competing in Class B last season, Mahopac will bump up to Class A for 2025.
“I’m just so happy to be back,” said Ascencao, a first-team All-American and captain at SUNY New Paltz (2022). “With 11 seniors returning, we are very excited to see this class step up as leaders of the team. I saw huge growth in this team last season and now they have the opportunity to put it all together in their final year.”
Much of the leadership Ascencao seeks should come from senior captains Anastasia Villani, Gabriella Bartholdi and Anni Pope.
Villani, a midfielder, returns with an All-League skill set. Bartholdi, a forward with a nose for the goal, is another All-League returnee, as is junior forward Kayleigh Pontillo and senior defender Grace Gaine.
Senior midfielder Sophia Perillo is yet another skilled two-way player the Wolf Pac will rely on. Ascencao said senior goalie Sam DiMilia will be a key newcomer to the squad, adding that Wolf Pac goalies faced too much pressure last season due to penalties in the defensive zone.
“We need to decrease our opponents’ corner opportunities,” said Ascencao, who learned the game at Lakeland High under the tutelage of Westchester County Hall of Famer Sharon Sarsen, the finest coach in state history.
Competition will be stiff as the Wolf Pac faces a tough League G schedule. Mahopac opened with a loss to 2024 Class B state finalist Lakeland — winners of 16 straight Section 1 titles and 13 state crowns overall — and will also face powers like Walter Panas, Yorktown and crosstown rival Carmel.
Looking ahead to the postseason, Mahopac will be one of 14 teams vying for the Section 1 Class A title. Five-time state champion Mamaroneck remains the heavy favorite to repeat after winning its second consecutive state title in 2024, going undefeated for the second straight year.
“Our goal is to get past the first round of playoffs,” Ascencao said.
The Wolf Pac was close to doing so last year before falling to Pelham by a goal (3-2) in the opening round. Along the way were close encounters with reigning Class C champion Putnam Valley (a 1-0 loss) and a 1-1 tie with Class C heavyweight Bronxville, plus one-goal losses to Fox Lane, Suffern and Ursuline, which combined for over 30 wins — so Mahopac was in the mix against some top-notch competition and hopes to build upon that in 2025.
If a 7-1 season-opening loss (Sept. 4) to 16-time reigning Section 1 champion Lakeland seemed like a tough start for Mahopac, Ascencao saw the game as a learning opportunity for her players, taking a bunch of positives into Saturday’s 7-0 shutout of visiting Fox Lane.
The Wolf Pac worked the Foxes from start to finish, doing so behind two goals from senior M Gabby Bartholdi and two goals and an assist from junior Kayleigh Pontillo. Senior M Anastasia Villani (1G, 1A) and junior M Reese Harney (first varsity goal) also scored for Mahopac. Senior F Sophia Perillo (1G, 2A) filled the stat sheet and G Sam DiMilia (three saves) notched the shutout.
“It was a great team effort,” Ascencao said. “Our possession was strong as we were able to find openings and connect down the field in transition. A key play that highlighted this was Villani driving the ball through Fox Lane’s press and finding the high forward Bartholdi, 50 yards ahead. Bartholdi was able to speed down the field in a 1-on-1 with the goalie. If we continue working as one and capitalizing on those connections, I am confident we will find success this season.”
Against Lakeland, the Wolf Pac was hard-pressed to contain Gabby Goldstein (3G, 1A), Gianna Santini (2G, 1A) and Allie Waters (2G) on a day when DiMilia (14 saves) was under a ton of pressure.
“We definitely made some big adjustments in the second half that seemed to help,” Ascencao said. “I was very proud of the team for never giving up, staying strong on defense and being able to find the goal in the fourth quarter.”
The Wolf Pac did so when Pontillo scored their lone goal of the game.
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