PV Field Hockey Fights for One, Takes the 2nd

PUTNAM VALLEY- The Putnam Valley field hockey team snagged two wins this week with an impressive shutout of Pleasantville Thursday by a score of 2-0, and beating Mahopac, 3-2, the day before.

On Thursday, PV got a quick unassisted goal from Demetria Andritsopoulos three and a half minutes into the game, giving them a 1-0 lead. In the 8th minute of the game Hannah Tavella added another unassisted goal to give the Tigers the 2-0 lead they would hold on to. Coach Toniann Cortina said, “Focusing on early goals helped us . . . but we kind of let up a bit and became complacent and defensive. We have to focus on keeping the intensity up all game.”

Tianna Daley made five saves for PV and Rebecca Moore had seven for Mahopac.

Wednesday they faced a tough Mahopac team. Cortina mentioned, “We heard that Mahopac was a good team. Them being in Class A and us being in class C we knew it would be a challenge.” In a rain soaked game Mahopac proved Cortina right early jumping out to a 1-0 lead four minutes and 50 seconds into the game on a goal by Caitlin Baronowski. PV answered with a Maria Rao game tying goal off a rebound, then Amanda DeChent later scored a goal that was assisted by Hannah Tavella giving them a 2-1 lead at the half.

Four minutes into the second half Mahopac would strike again with a goal by Ashley John, making the score 2-2. Cortina said “We didn’t want another tie” (referring to last week’s season opener against Pawling that would finish 1-1). Amanda DeChent scored on another assist from Hannah Tavella in the 12th minute for the game winning goal.

Daley added four saves, ‘Pac goalie Caitlin McCormack also added four saves.

“Winning this game gave them more enthusiasm” said Cortina. This will be important for Today (Thursday) as they face another tough team in class A in Brewster, Cortina added, “This will be our toughest game so far.”