Indians Came Together for Strong Showing in Playoffs

MAHOPAC—Every coach tries to plan their season in such a way that their players are in peak form for a playoff run.

Abby Armstrong SKIP PEARLMAN This fall’s edition of the Mahopac High field hockey team was playing some of its best games late in the season, and the surge paid off for the Indians, who went into the playoffs strong, and nearly upended the top seed.

Mahopac eliminated Arlington, 1-0, in the first round of the Class AA tournament, and went on to take No. 1 seed Suffern into overtime, before falling, 1-0.

“I think we played really well,” ‘Pac coach Dona DiMaggio said. “We had big expectations, and I think the kids went farther than I thought. They surpassed my expectations.”

DiMaggio said she could see her players were ready for the playoffs.

“The playoffs were huge for us,” she said. “We came out really strong against Arlington, and I felt we were evenly matched against the No. 1 seed (Suffern). We played well against them, but a few unfortunate situations, and Suffern beat us. But I feel good about the way we played in sectionals. We did really well, and I was very pleased.”

Caitlin Baranowski Skip Baranowski Skip PearlmanJakki Six members of the Indians took home post-season honors.

Junior midfielder and third-year varsity player Abby Armstrong led the team in goals and points, and was named All-Elite. Junior midfielder Caitlin Baranowski, a second-year starter, earned All-Elite Honorable Mention status. Armstrong and Baranowski, along with senior defender Jakki Reger, were awarded All- League honors. Junior attacker Liana Viaggio, senior attacker Courtney Stein and sophomore defender Jacquie Reiser earned All-League Honorable Mention honors.

“Abby had a good year,” DiMaggio said. “She’s really coming into her own skin, she’s growing leaps and bounds, and next year I think she’ll be unstoppable. Caitlin is probably our most consistent player, and she really had a good season. And Jakki was originally at attack, but we needed her on defense… she did it for the team and ended up being one of our most solid defensive players

PearlmanJakki Reger Skip Reger Skip Pearlman “Jacquie is an up-and-coming player for us,” DiMaggio added, “she did a great job all season and was probably one of our most hard-working and enthusiastic players. Liana, with Abby and Jacquie, is a great combination. And Courtney was our second-leading scorer and played a nice wing for us.”

DiMaggio also praised the contributions of seniors Ashley John, Clarissa Zamora, Jen Kufa and Cait LaVelle.

The Indians lose 11 seniors, but just four starters, to graduation. “Next year we’ve got a group that’s hungry,” DiMaggio said. “And they know what it takes to get to the post-season, so I think we’ll be ready next year.”