Mahopac last advanced to the Section 1 Class A championship game in 2005, losing to Yorktown 10-9.
Could the ‘Pac make it back this coming season?
The fact that Yorktown, as we’ve been discussing since last fall, will be competing in Class B should help the chances.
Though defending champion Lakeland/Panas is the favorite, the Rebels suffered some key graduation losses from last year’s team, including All-Americas Andrew Fazio (defense) and Shawn Honovich (midfield) as well as goalie Rob Belger and attackman Will Fallo.
Now, for more on the Indians, we get the perspectives of senior Vincent Parrillo, a good cover/position defenseman who is headed to Nazareth, one of the nation’s premier Division III programs.
What have you been doing to get ready for the season?
I have been weightlifting with the rest of the guys on the team. We are also participating in the winter league in Brewster and have been doing early morning workouts. It’s a good way to keep the stick in your hand and keep up with your skills.
How does your schedule look, including scrimmages, and who are you looking forward to playing?
We will be going to Long Island for a big scrimmage, where we will be playing against the top teams in the state. We did it last year and it was a lot of fun.
During the season, I am looking forward to battling it out for the section with Lakeland/Panas. We lost in double overtime to them and then again in the semifinals for the section. It will be great to try to reverse the outcome. Of course Yorktown, John Jay and Somers will be big games. I am also looking forward to East Islip and Guilderland. We had one and two goal game losses to them last year.
What players on your team do you think will surprise people this year?
We lost four solid guys to graduation, but I think we have many guys that will step it up. I know that midfielder’s, TJ Foley and Anthony Berardis, won’t surprise many with their strength and speed, but I believe Charlie Evans will open up some eyes. He is also our faceoff guy. He’s a big kid with a nice shot. At attack, everyone knows about Kevin Carey and Jon Bota, but watch out for Tyler Gyscek. He will get many assists working behind the net. If he performs the way he does on the ice, it will be a long season for defensemen.
Even though we lost a good goaltender, I truly believe that Kevin Molfeta will step in nicely with support from Mike Ludovico. Our defense will be much improved. We had two guys playing defense for the first time last year, in Frankie Verde and Matt Fetzer. We also have some good juniors who came up from JV.
What do you think the strength of your team will be this year?
Having many returning players and a large senior class, our experience and team unity is our strength. I think we will be a more complete team this year. You can’t stop one or two of our guys and shut us down. Each guy at middie and attack can score at any given moment. The guys really work the ball well. On defense all our starters will be back.
How do you view the race in Section 1 Class A and who do you think the contending teams will be?
I honestly feel that it will be us and Lakeland/Panas at the end. There are some other teams like Arlington, Suffern and White Plains that can be a pain, but if we play to our potential, I don’t think we can lose. I hope to be holding the Section Champ plaque in June as a perfect ending to my high school lacrosse career.
Player’s perspective archive
Mahopac 2011 schedule
Sat 3/26 9:00 am Scrimmage Away @ Byram Hills 4 way Tournament
Wed 3/23 4:30 pm Scrimmage Away @ Suffern 4 way Tournament
3/39 or 3/30 TBA Scrimmage Away @ New Canaan (Pending)
Sat 4/2 TBA Non-League Away @ East Islip (No JV)
Tues 4/5 4:30 Non-League Away @ Arlington
Thurs 4/7 4:30 Non-League Home Vs. Carmel
Sat 4/9 1:00 Non-League Away @ Guilderland (Uni Albany) (No JV)
Tues 4/12 4:30 Non-League Away @ Wappingers
Thurs 4/14 4:30 League Home Vs. Somers
Sat 4/16 1:30 League Home Vs. Yorktown
Thurs 4/21 1:00 Non-League Home Vs. Northport (JV also Home 1:00)
Tues 4/26 7:00 pm League Home Vs. Hen Hud
Thurs 4/28 4:30 League Away @ Brewster
Sat 4/30 1:00 Non-League Home Vs. White Plains (JV Away @ 3:00)
Tues 5/3 4:30 League Away @ JJCR
Thurs 5/5 4:30 League Home Vs. Lakeland/Panas
Sat 5/7 12:00 Non-League Away @ Suffern
Tues 5/10 4:30 Non-League Away @ Horace Greeley
Wed 5/12 4:30 League Away @ Putnam Valley
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Posted In: Player's perspective
Looking forward to a great season and good luck in college. Don’t forget to GTB.
Good luck this season and your future seasons at Nazareth. Bring home the section title. “Opportunity does not knock, it presents itself when you beat down the door”