In the 2020 season, the Tigers fell short of winning a section title. Mamaroneck lost 3-1 to the Pelham Pelicans in the section championship. Although last year the girls walked off the field in tears, they came back this year ready for redemption.
Being on Mamaroneck’s Varsity Field Hockey team is not like being on any regular team. The season is a huge commitment that every player has to make. Before each game, there are team dinners or breakfasts. The girls spend hours together, forming bonds that become unbreakable. After speaking with a few of the players, it became clear that these relationships were a huge factor in their success. The team was “the closest team I’ve ever been a part of,” Jane McNally (‘22) says. Every player had trust in each other on and off the field. “No one played for themselves, we only played for each other,” McNally said. Every game, the team fought like it could be their last, and that motivation brought them to success.
Alongside the great success of the Tigers this season, many of the girls on the team received awards. All Section awards went to Hannah Rogoff (‘22), Ava Gristina (‘22), McNally, and Lily Margoshes (‘23). McNally was also named to the NY State All- Tournament Team. All States include Rogoff, Gristina and McNally. These awards were well deserved and fought for all season.
This year, the Tigers finished the season with a record of 17-3-1. Mamaroneck worked hard this season to make it to the section finals. Chasing after what they had lost last season, Mamaroneck had a convincing 2-0 win over Scarsdale to gain the section title this year. Mamaroneck dominated possession in the first half but struggled to get that last touch to put the ball in the cage. While the offense was hustling, the defense was holding up strong on the other end of the field. Coming into the second half, Mamaroneck had even more excitement and motivation than in the first. Natalie Mahland (‘22) and Hannah Rogoff (‘22) both scored in the second half, leading the Tigers to their victory.
The Tigers’ outstanding win over Scarsdale brought them to the Regional Championship the next weekend. The team was ecstatic, coming into the Kingston game with confidence. Kingston has been known to be an aggressive team, which Mamaroneck had mentally prepared for. In the first five minutes of the game, Catherine D’Arcy (‘25) scored, setting the tone for the rest of the game and keeping Kingston on their toes. The Tigers were able to successfully double team dangerous players on Kingston, making their defense very successful. They were able to prevent any penalties by playing smart defense, making chances for Kingston to score even lower. Deservedly, Mamaroneck came out of the game with a 3-0 victory, making them regional champions. The Tigers fought hard and won.
Their victory over Kingston brought them to their last goal: the State Semifinals. Mamaroneck was set to play Shenendehowa. This was not any normal game for either team. Both were offensively and defensively strong, making this a very competitive game. Shenendehowa scored in the first couple of minutes of the first quarter. Mamaroneck was being “out-hustled” and was “frazzled,” McNally says, but soon after the first quarter, the game was delayed due to a tornado warning. This changed the whole dynamic of the game. The teams did not get back on the field until hours later. However, the second the girls stepped back on the field the “energy level had raised significantly” and Mamaroneck was “back in it,” McNally describes. Mamaroneck came back out, and played one of their strongest games, but was unable to capitalize on corners and finish on goal. Unfortunately, after a very good fight, the Tigers fell short to Shenendehowa 1-0.
This loss certainly did not define Mamaroneck’s season. The Tigers put on an outstanding show. There was not a single game where any player took time out on the field for granted, and the team played every game under the mindset that it could be their last. This commitment and dedication is one of the key aspects to Mamaroneck Field Hockey’s great success. This team showed everyone what this program is all about, and they are ready to do it all over again next year.