Over the course of six periods of play this year, Mamaroneck and league rival Scarsdale had battled through 80 minutes of scoreless play. But on Sunday afternoon, with the Class A Section I title on the line, something—at some point—had to give. When it did, it saw the Tigers celebrating at Lakeland High School, having handed the previously undefeated Raiders a 2-0 loss.
Natalie Mahland finally notched the breakthrough goal three minutes into the third quarter, collecting the ball on a corner pass from Hannah Rogoff and knocking one past Raider goalie Angela Hoey to put the Tigers on the board against the top-seeded Raiders for the first time all season.
According to Mamaroneck head coach John Savage, the goal—and Mamaroneck’s play down the stretch—has been a function of the team playing with increased confidence and aggressiveness.
“Today, I saw an intense team and no matter who made a mistake, there was always someone behind them, backing them up,” said Savage. “That’s what we preach to them; don’t be aggressive and to make the right play because someone will be backing you up.”
Hannah Rogoff, who buried a team-high 26 goals this year, added added another score for good measure in the fourth quarter as the Tigers came away with a two-goal win.
“Somehow, Hannah just seems to find the ball,” said Savage. “That’s why she’s our leading scorer.”
Savage was especially pleased with the teams defensive performance, as the Tigers did not allow one shot on keeper Jane McNally, and played an especially inspired stretch towards the end of the game where they denied several chances in Scarsdale furious attempt to even the score.
“You have to be aggressive against Scarsdale because they’re fast in the sense that they get to the ball quickly,” he said. “We didn’t let them do that, we were right on them, not letting them get to the ball.”
Savage also credited his team’s physical and mental toughness for the win, which was embodied in particular by sophomore Catherine D’Arcy, who required medical attention in the first half after catching a Scarsdale stick to the face, but returned to the field in the second half after the on-site doctor cleared her to play.
“She said ‘I want to play’ that’s just the kind of kid she is,” Savage said. “It elevated the kids, definitely; we even said during the quarter, she’s over there bleeding for us, doesn’t she deserve that kind of effort from us?”
With the win, Mamaroneck (16-2-1) will move onto the state regional finals, where they will play Section IX champ Kingston on Sunday, Nov. 7 at Rondout Valley High School.
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