Lakeland falls in opener to Mahopac

Lakeland opened its season at home March 20 against local rival Mahopac, but the Hornets couldn’t find momentum as the visitors controlled the game in a 19-0 defeat.

“We were definitely going into the game wanting to play and compete with them, especially the seniors,” said Lakeland sophomore quarterback Aditi Parambath. “Unfortunately the outcome wasn’t what we wanted but it’s a learning experience and we are ready to get better.”

One of Lakeland’s seniors is Caroline Daly.

“I wasn’t able to play due to injury, but being on the sidelines as a captain gave me a different perspective on the game,” she said.

Mahopac struck quickly with a 59-yard touchdown run on the second play of the game, taking a 6-0 lead. The Wolf Pac doubled their advantage on fourth-and-1 with a 21-yard quarterback touchdown run, making it 12-0 with 7:20 left in the first quarter.

Lakeland’s defense held firm on the next drive, forcing a fourth-and-goal from the 3-yard line, but Mahopac answered with a 3-yard touchdown pass and a successful 1-point conversion to extend the lead to 19-0 with 5:08 remaining before halftime.

Lakeland’s offense found some momentum on its next possession, opening the drive with a 19-yard reverse that moved the ball to the Hornets’ 33-yard line.

“The reverse was from [sophomore] Amelia Calisi to [sophomore] Alexa Marrico and she did a good job getting up the field with her explosive speed,” Parambath said.

Four plays later, on fourth-and-4 from its 36, Parambath connected with Marrico, who finished with 54 rushing yards and 7 receiving yards, on a 9-yard pass to move the chains at the Mahopac 35.

“It definitely was great to get the first down on an important play,” Parambath said. “The play developed by the realization we had to get the first down and get into the offensive groove.”

A 5-yard run up the middle by Parambath continued the drive, but Mahopac’s defense came up with an interception on the next play at its own 20-yard line to end the Hornets’ scoring threat.

Highlighting Lakeland’s effort in the second half was a 34-yard punt return in the fourth quarter by senior Jackie Moore, which set the Hornets up at the Mahopac 20-yard line. 

“That got us in good field position,” Parambath said.

Defensively, Lakeland showed much improvement as it shut out Mahopac after halftime.

“Nerves affected us early on, but once everyone settled in, we started to find our rhythm—especially in the second half,” Daly said. “We began to apply what we’ve been working on in practice, and it really showed. Coach (PJ) Nyberg made some great in-game adjustments that played a big role in shutting out Mahopac in the second half.”

Seniors Kacey Chin (7 tackles), Samantha Del Ponte, Jona Gashi, Rita Gashi, Emily Hahn, Caroline Leonard, Chole Moore and Lynae Petrosino; Juniors Loren Frye, Mackenzie Latorre (8 tackles), Mia Rodrigues, Ava Stabile (5 tackles) and Elyse Steimel; and sophomores Carina Cannizzaro and Brooklyn Ciccarello also make up the Hornets’ 2026 roster.

“Even though the result wasn’t what we were hoping for, it was a valuable learning experience,” Daly said. “This was our first game, and with many new players who had never played a full flag game before, it was a completely new environment. Despite that, they adjusted quickly.”

Daly expects to be back in action this week. This edition of Yorktown News went to press before the March 24 game against Hendrick Hudson.

“I’m looking forward to getting back for this week’s games as the team’s senior rusher and contributing on offense as well,” Daly said. “I’ve been working with my athletic trainer and we both see myself getting back in time.”