As September slips into October and the leaves begin to turn, the intensity reaches another level, with the Wolf Pac powering toward the Section 1 playoffs and every game carrying greater significance.
With playoff jockeying on the line, every game becomes more important than the last, so the Wolf Pac — who had lost two of their last three heading into Saturday’s challenge against host Fox Lane — needed a win to get back on track if they were going to draw a top-eight seed, which might result in a first round game at home depending on first-round byes.
The Foxes (0-10-1) were just what the doctor ordered, a convincing 3-1 Mahopac triumph. The Wolf Pac (5-5) kept the pressure on and popped an early goal at 6:29 of the first quarter when senior F Fiona McManus slapped home a backhand tally from sophomore F Brynlee Davis. A piping hot McManus followed with her second goal for a 2-0 lead with just about 5:00 left in the second quarter. The goal was set up by an Emerson Catania steal.
At 3:34, McManus knocked one off the far post into the net for a natural hat trick and a 3-0 lead the Wolf Pac took into halftime. McManus narrowly missed a fourth tally at 2:18.
“Fiona was on it today,” Mahopac coach Jess Ascencao exclaimed. “Fiona is one of those players who is always holding her spot at the post. Today, we took advantage of that, sent her the ball, and she was able to capitalize early in the game. Fox Lane started the second half strong and tested our defense, but we played strong on both ends of the field today.”
Wolf Pac senior captain Lola Mulero and junior M Christiana Pikoulas each set up a tally, while goalkeeper Maddy Bucci made two saves.
At 4:45 of the third, Fox Lane broke up the shutout bid, scoring off a corner to take a 3-1 deficit into the fourth quarter.
Facing perennial powerhouse Lakeland proved to be a daunting mission for the Wolf Pac on Oct. 1. The undefeated Hornets racked up six first-half goals, putting Bucci (5 saves) under constant pressure.
The combination of Hornets Aditi Parambath (5A, tied Lakeland school record) and Gianna Santini (4G) proved to be too much to handle, leading to 9-0 final.
“We played well and hustled hard,” Ascencao said. “We even ended up with four offensive corner opportunities but could not convert in the circle.”
While the Wolf Pac fell to visiting Yorktown, 6-1, on Senior Night, Ascensaco said the unit played much better than the score would indicate.
“Our defense stepped up in a big way tonight,” the coach said. “We played a lot of defense but held back a very athletic team from taking completely over. Senior Aulona Berisha had some critical tackles shutting down several Yorktown fast breaks.”
Taylor Stillwaggon scored the lone Wolf Pac goal, assisted by Kayleigh Pontillo while Bucci notched 11 saves.
“Our goal was exactly what we were looking for,” Ascensaco said. “We have been focusing a lot on offensive corners and taking advantage of all of our opportunities. Tonight we only drew two corners but scored on the second. It came down to captains Reese Harney and Kayleigh Pontillo reading the defense and called a great play in response to our first efforts. Everyone was highly motivated to play for the seniors. The score does not reflect the efforts and improvements that we made in this game.”
The Class AA Wolf Pac (2-8) secured a 3-1 win (25-10, 20-25, 25-17, 25-23) over visiting Ossining on Sept. 29, doing so behind 20 kills from junior OH Taylor Ann Vitiello (4 aces, 10 digs) and eight apiece from Vivien Zucchi and Noella Rosner. Sophia DeMayo (2 blocks) added six kills and four aces. Victoria Rivera managed a team-high 15 digs while Lily Slizowski set up 31 assists.
Against reigning Section 1 Class AA champion Yorktown on Oct. 2, Mahopac was as close as 21-16 in the second set before the Huskers finished off a 25-16 set en route to a sweep of the Wolf Pac, everything going Yorktown’s way in the final set (25-9).
Kira Waring, Daniella Marks, Evangelina Doupis, Cara O'Halloran and Thomas Baron were among Mahopac's runners at the Pre-State Invitational at Queensbury, while other team members competed at the Admiral Harrier Invitational at Hudson Valley Sports Dome in Milton. Both events took place on Sept. 26.
The girls team took 12th in the Girls Varsity Division IV race, with Waring placing sixth and O'Halloran 21st to earn medals. Marks took 98th to earn a ribbon.
"We had a solid effort and given that we are in a part of the season where we are deep into the day-to-day training they were running on tired legs," coach Kelley Posch said. "We went with the goal of viewing the state meet course with the hopes that we are back in November and to get experience with running in a highly competitive race. So all that said, it was a successful weekend and I know we have more to bring to the table later this season."
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