Two games against Panas, two different results, and a clear picture of the Wolf Pac moving in the right direction.
Earlier this season, Mahopac was a step behind all game in a 2-1 home loss to the Panthers.
But fast-forward to Oct. 13, when a ruthless Wolf Pac (10-2-3) turned the tables and ran the Panthers off their own home pitch in a 6-0 league triumph.
And despite a scoreless draw against Yorktown midweek, Mahopac's 4-0 dismantling of Carmel shows a team that may be peaking at the right time.
Mahopac looks to be firmly among the top four seeds in the upcoming Section 1 Class AA playoffs, which guarantees a pair of home games should the opening round prove fruitful. Despite losing a ton of talent to graduation, the Wolf Pac is thriving under first-year coach Daniella Morgante and assistant Katrina Klammer.
“It’s exciting to see the girls’ hard work translating into results,” Morgante said. “But what stands out most to me is the growth and resilience they’ve demonstrated throughout the season. We’ve had our share of difficult losses and moments that didn’t go our way, but the girls have continued to show up, put in the work, and look for ways to improve.”
That was evident against Panas. Wolf Pac senior captain Kayleigh Dolan and sophomore forward Gianna Tucci each scored in the first half. Junior defender/midfielder Alana Ziegelhofer and junior midfielder/forward Zoe Chase added second-half tallies while sophomore midfielder Valentina Ivezaj provided two assists and helped Mahopac dominate possession.
Senior defenders Ella Biolchini and Paige Bonder, plus sophomore Brianna Lofaro, junior Emma Pulick, and junior goalkeeper Brianna Savino anchored a back line that has surrendered more than a goal only once this season.
“I have to recognize the strength of our defense,” Morgante said. “Brianna Savino is approaching 100 saves this season alone, an incredible milestone that speaks to the work she’s put in between the posts. Our defensive line has been equally important, providing the stability and confidence that allow our midfield to develop and play with greater freedom. Ella Biolchini has stepped into a leadership role this season and embraced an important responsibility on our back line. Alongside Brianna Lofaro, she has helped establish that consistency, and when Lofaro was sidelined with a concussion, Leah Bally stepped up seamlessly. She didn’t miss a beat, and her performance was another example of the depth we have throughout our roster and the willingness of our players to contribute whenever they’re called upon.”
The defense locked down its seventh shutout of the season against Carmel as Savino inched ever-so-close to her 100th career save. Dolan added a hat trick to her ridiculous numbers this season (28 combined goals and assists)—despite playing with a heavy heart in recent days due to the passing of a grandparent.
“It was tough for me to play against Yorktown that day, but we really got after it against John Jay,” Dolan said. “John Jay and Panas really gave us momentum. We have been working together better on the field after that unexpected loss to Panas.
“With our win against Carmel today, we’re looking forward to meeting Lakeland again on Monday to get a good seed for playoffs,” she added. “And we all know we need to win that game and give everything we have. Everyone on the team has been stepping up. I’m pumped for the playoffs. We are so ready to make a serious run this year because we know we can and we know if we come out strong every game from the first whistle to the last and set the tone early that we can go far.”
Ivezaj added an insurance goal against the Rams for a 3-0 lead before Dolan finished the scoring.
The Wolf Pac opened the week of action with a 3-1 win over host John Jay-Cross River on Monday, Oct. 12, doing so behind a pair of tallies from Dolan and another from junior Jordyn Wanner (assisted by Ivezaj). The Wolves provided a stout test for Mahopac as they, too, rank among the top four seeds in Class AA.
“To face a strong John Jay team and compete with confidence speaks volumes about their character,” Morgante said. “The hours spent at practice, studying film, reflecting on individual performances, and asking questions have all contributed to their development. They’re learning to embrace the challenges and use them as opportunities to grow. Kayleigh deserves special recognition, too. Seeing her navigate a personal loss while expressing that she simply wanted to be out there playing speaks volumes about her passion, dedication, and love for the game. As a coach, those are moments that remind you how much this sport means to these players.”
Mahopac was set to close out the regular season Oct. 19 at Lakeland, whom they beat 2-1 on Oct. 7, and will await its playoff course to be assigned on Wednesday, Oct. 21.
“What excites me most about this group is their desire to learn and understand the game beyond what happens on the field,” Morgante said. “They want to know the statistics, understand the seeding process, and recognize what each game means in the bigger picture. They want to understand the strategy behind how we prepare for each opponent and what they can do to continue improving. That drive is there, and as a coach, I see it every day. They aren’t just showing up to play, they want to understand the game, take ownership of their development, and figure out how they can contribute to the team’s success. That level of investment, combined with their resilience and willingness to learn, is what makes this group so exciting to coach.”
Saddle up, there’s more to come!
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