After suffering a hard-luck loss to league rival Scarsdale on May 4, Mamaroneck bounced back in a big way on Monday, routing a tough Rye team 15-2. For the Tigers, the win may have been the team’s most complete performance of the year, and should serve to build confidence as the playoffs approach.
Mamaroneck wasted little time going on the attack, amassing an 8-0 lead by halftime, thanks in large part to tremendous proficiency on the draw. The Tigers won 15 of 19 draw controls on the afternoon, which highlights a particular strength of the club this year.
“Draw control has definitely been very helpful for us and when we have done well, we’ve generally won those games,” head coach Rocky Lividini said. “This year, the big new rule has been that possession has to be gained between the restraining lines, and we have done a pretty good job having the right people on the draws.”
Once they established possession, the Tigers made the most of their chances, demonstrating one of the most well-balanced offensive games of the season. Though the Tigers were led by three-goal games from both Emily Mahland and Cassie Budill, a total of nine Tigers found the net on the day, and 10 of the team’s 15 goals came off assists.
Maddy Riordan also had six assists for the Tigers.
Amanda Hartzell scored both goals for Rye.
“After the game, I told the team that there wasn’t really much we could pick apart from the way we played.” Lividini said. “Rye is a good team, and even when I played [for Mamaroneck] it was a big thing to even get a win, I can’t remember one like this.”
The win was especially important given that the Tigers were coming off a 10-9 loss to rival Scarsdale. According to the head coach, the resilience the team showed in its Monday contest could portend big things for the club in the postseason.
“They always come to play, they work hard at practices, and we haven’t let the losses deter us,” she said. “Every team is going to have setbacks, but [against Rye] they really came out ready to go.”
At 11-3 on the year, the Tigers will finish out the regular season with league rematches with New Rochelle and Scarsdale, after press time, before the playoffs kick off next week.
“Section I has really been a home for upsets this year, and once we get into the playoffs, I really think we have a good chance of doing well,” Lividini said. “We’re just hoping to make history and make it to that final game.”
