Mahopac Lacrosse Team Was Up and Down During Rebuilding Season

MAHOPAC - Coming into the 2009 season, Mahopac High lacrosse coaches Dave Haddeland and Mike Haddeland knew they had question marks all over the field.

Tyler Perrelle celebrates goal with Kevin Carey (10). The Indians had few veterans, a number of inexperienced players on the squad, and needed time to gel as a team.

The Indians had their peaks and valleys throughout the season, and ended up in the Class A playoffs, where they beat Suffern, 8-3, in the first round, before ending the season with a 9-6 loss to Lakeland/Panas in the semifinal round.

It was an impressive showing against a team that took top-seeded Yorktown - among the top high school teams in the nation - down to the wire before losing in overtime in the championship game.

Dave Haddeland felt the Indians may have played their best lacrosse prior to the playoffs.

"Lacrosse is all about when you peak," Haddeland said. "I think we may have peaked early… we had a stretch - against teams like Suffern, Putnam Valley - where I think we were playing our best lacrosse of the season. We looked solid on defense, and we were moving the ball well. You always get ebbs and flows… I just didn't think we played our best in the playoff games - especially against Lakeland.

John McGuigan "But overall, for our young group, I think we got just about everything we could get out of them," the coach added. "And a lot of young guys got experience, which is a big positive."

Mahopac senior team captain and four-year varsity player Tyler Perrelle has been a force on attack for the past few years, was named All-American, All-Section and All-League as a result of another strong spring. Perrelle, a three-time All-Section and All-League selection, led Mahopac in goals and total points, and finishes his high school career at No. 1 in goals, and No.2 in overall points on Mahopac's all-time list.

"Tyler is like a rock," Haddeland said. "He's always there, always working hard. If you had to build a program around someone, needed someone to be an example, that would be him. He doesn't talk a lot - he does it on the field. He's a stand-up kid and a threesport athlete, a throwback, and he'll be impossible to replace."

Tyler Perrelle Junior goalie and two-year starter John McGuigan, along with junior attackman John Brandofino, were named All-Section and All-League.

"Johnny played out of his mind this year," Haddeland said of McGuigan. "He made some really amazing saves. I'm pretty disappointed there aren't any Empire State Games this summer because I think he could have been there. He was one of the better goalies in the section this year. And Brandofino could be one of the best scorers in the section if he puts his mind to it. He had a great season, he has all the tools, and for him the sky is the limit. We're expecting big things from him next year."

Junior midfielder Chase Thompson also had a solid season for the 'Pac, and earned All-Section Honorable Mention and All-League accolades.

"He didn't play last year, and came back hungrier this year," Haddeland said. "He was our point guy on man-up, did a great job all year on faceoffs and played midfield. He could be great next year."

John Brandofino Haddeland also pointed to solid seasons by sophomores John Bota and Kevin Carey, junior Okie Bernabo and seniors Billy Carey and Brendan Synan. "All of them found a niche on the team, and helped us become a better team," Haddeland said. "And we're looking for big things from the underclassmen next year."

Haddeland also cited the efforts of former head coach Joe Corace, who returned to the team this year to help with defense. "Joe was great," 'Haddeland said. "He has a great knowledge of the game and he was a huge help."

Mahopac loses some key players - including Perrelle - to graduation, but is looking for good things in 2010.

"We have some young guys who will step in and contribute," Haddeland said. "And we have several young guys who played this year and gained valuable experience. But we'll have to wait and see what happens, because we're also losing one of the most prolific players in Mahopac history. But I am excited to see what happens… John is back in goal, so he'll help us solidify the defense right away."

Chase Thompson Photos by Skip Pearlman.