Mamaroneck may not have been completely in sync on Dec. 12, but the Tigers were still good enough to stay unbeaten. Hosting a scrappy White Plains squad on Monday night, the Tigers needed a late-game surge to win their fifth game of the year, topping the visitors 5-1 in a contest that seemed much more competitive than the final score indicated.
Despite controlling the puck for the first period and a half, Mamaroneck struggled to capitalize on its chances until senior defenseman Matt Tucciarone broke through against White Plains netminder Justin Schulz beginning in the second period with three straight goals to provide a lift for the 5-0-2 Tigers. Mamaroneck outshot their opponents by a whopping 38-11 margin on the night, but couldn’t establish an offensive rhythm until Tucciarone’s outburst, something senior captain Sam Geroux attributed to a lack of focus.
“I think in the beginning of the game, we were just kind of playing down to their level,” Geroux said. “But [Coach Chiapparelli] made sure that we got back to where we were supposed to be, playing faster and with more intensity.”
In addition to Tucciarone’s hat trick, senior Michael Carducci and junior Tom Conley also found the net for Mamaroneck in the final period.
The Tiger defense, which has been a calling card for the club thus far, was stellar, highlighted by an inspired performance by freshman goaltender Jeff Reda. Reda made 10 stops on the night, and nearly came away with a shutout before White Plains’ John Myers found the net on a short-handed goal with just under three minutes to play.
Reda and fellow freshman netminder Jack Fried have both shined on the varsity level and the Tigers have allowed just 10 goals in their first seven games.
“I think that says a lot about the youth program we have here in Mamaroneck and how prepared they are,” Geroux said. “[Jeff and Jack] might be inexperienced, but they have played so well for us this year.”
Mamaroneck will have a busy weekend as they get set for a Friday tilt with Clarkstown, followed by a rivalry game against Scarsdale on Dec. 16, but Geroux is confident that the team’s tough December schedule will serve to prepare the Tigers for an eventual playoff push.
“We’ve played some tough teams, against schools from upstate and Suffern,” he said. “We know that that will only help us as we get ready for the rest of the season.”
