Sometimes, a convincing win can be the start of something bigger.
On Wednesday, Oct. 3, the Mamaroneck field hockey team enjoyed a 3-0 romp over rival Scarsdale that has kick-started a surge as the Tigers look toward the playoffs.
If Mamaroneck can continue to build on its solid play against the Raiders, head coach John Savage believes that the reigning Class A champs could once again be a team to fear as the postseason rolls around.
Sophia Kerstholt, Brigid Knowles and Elizabeth Brissette all scored for Mamaroneck, as the Tigers clamped down on the Raiders attack, not allowing a single shot on net. According to Savage, while matchups between Scarsdale and Mamaroneck always have their fair share of drama, the Tigers’ win had added importance due to the fact that both squads came into the meeting ranked among the Top-5 teams in Section I.
“It’s hard to describe, but there’s always something special when we play Scarsdale, no matter what either team’s record it,” he said. “But our kids did a great job against them; 3-0 is a good score, and to not allow a shot on goal, that says something.”
In fact, Savage credits the Scarsdale game with helping Mamaroneck (9-2-1) overcome something of a midseason slump and find another gear in the last week of the season. Following that win, the Tigers would go on to beat both Arlington and Rye by a combined score of 19-1.
“I think we’ve done a good job of getting into a groove after the Scarsdale game,” the head coach said. “For a lot of the season, we were waiting for our players to play up to their potential, which they have started to do.”
One of the most drastic improvements the Tigers have made over the last week has been their ability to convert on penalty corners. After sliding Alex Lepore into the backline and reconfiguring his players around the circle, Savage has been pleased with the way the team has responded.
“For a while this season, we were getting 12-20 chances and maybe getting one goal a game, and you aren’t going to win games like that,” he said. “So we switched some people around, Alex Lepore is doing a great job keeping the ball on the turf and we have been getting a lot of direct shots.”
The Tigers have just three more games left in the regular season, which will wrap up on Oct. 17 when they travel to White Plains. The Class A seeding meeting is scheduled for Oct. 18 and the playoffs are slated to start the following day.
