Yorktown, the defending Section 1 Class B champion, opened its season with a convincing 16-6 victory against visiting Mahopac on March 25, behind 6 goals from Sydney Sateriale.
“I’ve been working hard the whole offseason and to be able to see it show on the field, it’s really good to see,” said Sateriale, who also garnered 2 assists and 5 draw controls.
The Huskers’ dominant effort as a team and Sateriale’s scoring prowess on almost any other opening day would have been the main focus of the afternoon — but not in this opener.
Wednesday’s game carried a heavier meaning after 2025 Yorktown graduate and former team manager Sheridan Gorman was shot and killed near her college campus, Loyola University Chicago, last week. The team held a moment of silence before the game
“Sheridan was such a special part of our program,” said Yorktown coach Heather Raniolo. “She was so selfless, positive and displayed great energy in supporting this team. We dedicate this season to her.”
Gorman’s impact on the team continues to be felt.
“She was the best person that could have been on this team,” Sateriale said. “She was so thoughtful. She was a role model for everyone. She supported you even on your lowest days. She was the best teammate anyone could have.”
How they played against Mahopac was especially important for the Huskers in honor of Gorman.
“For myself and as a team, this season is for Sheridan, so coming out so strong in Game 1 meant a lot for us,” said Yorktown’s Ava Ryan. “Last year, our manager Sheridan had a great impact on our team. She was always kind and supportive towards everyone. She was funny and so easy to talk to about anything. The team is not the same without her but we play for Sheridan.”
That was evident early, as Yorktown jumped out to a 4-0 lead with 5:42 remaining in the first quarter
“The girls did a great job of moving the ball and finding their open teammates,” Raniolo said. “They were able to excel on the fast breaks but they were also really smart in settling when it wasn’t there and just finding gaps in their defense.”
Juliet Horton started the scoring for the Huskers with a goal on an 8-meter shot. That was followed by three goals from Sateriale, assisted by Annie Cunneen (1G, 2A, 5 draw controls), Ryan and Megan Durante.
“They saw me cutting through, I wouldn’t be able to do it without them,” Sateriale said of her teammates’ assists.
Both teams then scored two goals apiece before Ryan hit the top right corner of the net off an 8-meter shot with 52.3 seconds remaining in the opening quarter, putting the Huskers up 7-2 and they never looked back from there.
“It gave our team momentum and goals like that get us really excited,” Ryan said.
Along with scoring 3 goals, Ryan also displayed dazzling-playmaking ability, by registering 5 assists.
“My teammates are always moving, they never stand, they were always there calling my name and it was easy for me, because they were open,” Ryan said.
As a team, Yorktown spread the ball nicely, recording 11 assists.
“The majority of our goals were assisted, which was great to see,” Ryan said.
Sateriale, Ryan and Lily Diaz (3G, 4 draw controls) did the bulk of the scoring for the Huskers.
“These girls work tremendously hard to be the players that they are,” Raniolo said. “As a coach it’s great to see their leadership and how they help set the tone and push themselves and their teammates to continue to grow. They play with such heart and always give it everything they got. They have created a great dynamic to our offense that has been great to see.”
Emma Donnelly (1G), Zoe Ellison (1G), Gianna Boucher (1A), Sam Conboy (8 saves), Julia Fitzsimmons (2 saves), Izzy Todd (1 draw control), Ella Robustelli (1 draw control), Claire Sullivan, Izzy Wilson, Addison Schluter, Khloe Clarkin, Riley Gross, Anna Walling, Ella Simone, Serena Zimmerman, Gia Burns and Alana D’Andraia were also on the Huskers’ opening-day roster.
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