Undefeated MHS Field Hockey Teams wins Sectionals, Heads for Regional Championship

by Joan R. Simon

(November 11, 2004) For the first time in 10 years, the MHS girls' field hockey team has won the Section I, Class A championship, squeaking by Lakeland 1-0 last Saturday, November 6. And along the way, the team has secured the first undefeated season (17-0-2) in its history. To top if off, Coach John Savage, who is in his ninth year leading the team, has been named the Section I-A Coach of the Year for the second year in a row.

The Mamaroneck field hockey team was on its way to victory during semi-final play. Photo by Fred Levine.

Next up will be the regional championship on Saturday, November 13, against a Long Island powerhouse, Ward-Melville (17-1-1). If the MHS team wins, the girls will be heading for Syracuse the following weekend, where the top four teams in New York will compete for the state championship.

There were fears that moving girls soccer to the fall season would hurt the field hockey team (see: Girls' Soccer Moves to Fall). In the end, not a single player left the field hockey team.

Update: Co-captain Katie Devaney and Coach John Savage after the team's 2-1 victory over Ward Melville of Long Island on November 12. Photo by Maura Devaney.

Co-captain Katie Devaney explained how cohesive the team has been: “I think that everyone, after last season, knew there was unfinished business. So going in this year, we were determined to come out on top.” Ms. Devaney was referring to the semi-final sectional loss to Lakeland last year in double overtime, which made this year’s sectional final win over Lakeland all the sweeter. She added “Last year we didn’t even know that we had it in us to get that far. This year we all knew it and it gave us that much more of a push.”

Co-captain Sam Lyons, who has been the team goalie for three years, added, “The girls on the team are my friends on and off the field and it really makes a difference in how we play. This is more of a team sport than any I’ve ever played.”

Coach Savage remarked, “I have eight seniors who start for me and it’s a credit to their ability that we’ve had such success the past two years.” As for the game on Saturday, he said, “This is going to be probably the toughest game we’re going to face – as tough if not tougher than the Lakeland game.”