After hours of scouring through the BOCES site and MaxPreps, I’ve come up with an unofficial draw of the Section 1 volleyball tournament seeds. The official seeds will be announced sometime Wednesday afternoon, but if y’all are anything like me, patience doesn’t come easily.

Walter Panas defeated Yorktown in the Section 1 Class A championship volleyball game at Hendrick Hudson High School in Montrose Nov 6, 2015.

I want to stress that these seeds are in no way official; they are based off of the records coaches gave me and whatever resources I have available to me. I do believe that the actual seeds will not be far off, so this should give you an idea of what you can expect when the official seeds come out.

Below is what the Section 1 tournament schedule will look like, according to my unofficial calculations. I’ll be discussing these further during my weekly Facebook Live chat tonight at 8 p.m., so gear up any questions you have and ask me here: facebook.com/mzacchio.

For a look inside all of the madness, check out my Snapchat story at @zacchio_lohud.

Class AA

No. 16 Ketcham at No. 1 Ossining

No. 15 White Plains at No. 2 Ursuline

No. 14 Clarkstown South at No. 3 New Rochelle

No. 13 Mamaroneck at No. 4 North Rockland

No. 12 Mahopac at No. 5 Scarsdale

No. 11 Clarkstown North at No. 6 John Jay-East Fishkill

No. 10 Horace Greeley at No. 7 Arlington

No. 9 Suffern at No. 8 Fox Lane​

Records were not supplied from the following teams: East Ramapo, Mount Vernon, Port Chester

Class A

No. 17 Byram Hills at No. 16 Somers (outbracket, winner plays at No. 1 Panas)

No. 15 Harrison at No. 2 Nyack

No. 14 Brewster at No. 3 Yorktown

No. 13 Beacon at No. 4 Pelham

No. 12 Saunders at No. 5 Hen Hud

No. 11 Eastchester at No. 6 Tappan Zee

No. 10 Peekskill at No. 7 Rye

No. 9 John Jay at No. 8 Yonkers

Records were not supplied from the following teams: Gorton, Lakeland, Lincoln, Riverside, Roosevelt, Sleepy Hollow

Class B

No. 1 Lourdes receives a first-round bye

No. 2 Westlake receives a first-round bye

No. 3 Ardsley receives a first-round bye

No. 13 Hastings at No. 4 Putnam Valley

No. 12 Pleasantville at No. 5 Nanuet

No. 11 Albertus Magnus at No. 6 Valhalla

No. 10 Rye Neck at No. 7 Irvington

No. 9 Blind Brook at No. 8 Briarcliff

Records were not supplied from the following teams: Croton-Harmon, Edgemont, Woodlands, Yonkers Montessori

Class C

No. 1 Pawling receives a bye into the quarterfinals

No. 7 Palisade Prep at No. 2 Dobbs Ferry

No. 6 Hamilton at No. 3 Haldane

No. 5 North Salem at No. 4 Keio

North Salem field hockey players celebrate their 1-0 victory over Pawling at North Salem High School Oct. 25, 2016.

NORTH SALEM – Kaitlyn Thayer’s friend had a dream, then another, and finally a third.

In each case, the subject was of Thayer’s North Salem field hockey team. In the first dream, North Salem beat Pawling. In the second, the team lost.

The third, which occurred Monday night, was the tie-breaker in which North Salem won, a grinning Thayer said

“It was cool – foreshadowing,” the junior defenseman said.

Indeed, although her friend’s dreams didn’t include Thayer being the hero.

The third-year varsity player and captain scored her first-ever varsity goal as No. 4 North Salem edged No. 5 Pawling 1-0 Tuesday in the Class C semifinals, played at North Salem High School.

“We’ve been on the other side so many times,” North Salem coach Jen Frohman said.

In fact, Frohman has lost count, but she knew Pawling had eliminated her team in the sectional playoffs in at least the past three years.

Last week, the two teams – both in somewhat of a rebuilding year with Pawling having just two seniors and North Salem none — battled to a scoreless tie.

Pawling finished the season 8-6-2.

North Salem, which improved to 10-4-3, will face top-seeded Bronxville (14-3) on Friday.

Earlier this season, the Tigers lost to the Broncos 3-0, although it was a 1-0 game with seven minutes to play.

Of the upcoming game, Frohman said, “You never know. The girls are hungry and have nothing to lose.”

Tuesday’s game might have been low-scoring, but both teams, Pawling in particular, had their chances.

Down 1-0, Pawling dominated most of the second half, winning races to loose balls and connecting on long passes.

“They’re so good at stopping the ball and coming to the ball. I think that’s something we can learn from them,” Thayer said.

But Pawling repeatedly shot wide and never got a shot on net during the game. North Salem only had two on Pawling’s Kayla Chavarri.

It could have been three but when Mariana Alpizar got loose on a fast break with 10 minutes left, defenseman Melissa Talamo raced across the field to stop her.

Player of the game: Thayer gets top honors with her winning goal.

Turning point: That came with Thayer’s goal with fewer than three minutes gone in the game.

It came off a corner with Thayer inbounding the ball to Natalie Intrieri, who shot on net. Alpizar, who had a big game, redirected it to Thayer, who, manning the post, tipped the ball in.

Stat line: North Salem had four corners and Pawling three.

Quotables: Pawling coach June Lagan was unhappy a couple more corners weren’t called against North Salem, terming the non-calls an “opportunity not allowed.”

Frohman said her defensive backs and midfielders “played older than they are.”

Of the North Salem-Pawling games, she said, “Typically, it comes down to one goal. We luckily got that today.”

Twitter: @HaggertyNancy

From left, North Salem’s Allison Eberhardt (15) moves the ball away from Pawling’s Carly McGrath (21) during field hockey action at North Salem High School Oct. 25, 2016. North Salem won the game 1-0.

North Salem’s Kaitlyn Thayer (5) moves the ball away from Pawling’s Isabella Santiago (13) during field hockey action at North Salem High School Oct. 25, 2016. North Salem won the game 1-0.

North Salem’s Mariana Alpizar (11) moves the ball away from Pawling’s Courtney Adams (1) during field hockey action at North Salem High School Oct. 25, 2016. North Salem won the game 1-0.

Bronxville celebrates after a goal from Rachael Peacock (14) during a Section 1, Class B girls soccer quarterfinal game between Bronxville and Briarcliff at Bronxville High School on Tuesday, Oct. 25th, 2016. Bronxville won 4-1.

BRONXVILLE – For the past few years, Bronxville has been the dominant Class B team in Section 1.

Having won five straight sectional titles from 2010 to 2014, with two of those seasons having ended with state title wins, it’s understandable if the Broncos might have suffered complacency last season, which ended in a tough semifinal loss to Albertus Magnus.

On Tuesday, Bronxville looked like a rejuvenated squad.

The Broncos, the top seed in this year’s tournament, took another step towards re-claiming the championship with a convincing 4-1 win over ninth-seeded Briarcliff.

“We didn’t want to overlook any teams, but we also want to stay confident because we know we’re going to play a strong game,” said senior midfielder Mason Warble. “We worked together really well, we just meshed well today. We were working really hard.”

CLASS AA QUARTERFINAL: Mahopac advances to semifinals on penalty kicks

CLASS AA QUARTERFINAL: Suffern tops Clarkstown South 2-0

SCOREBOARD: Quarterfinals results and stats

Coincidentally, the last time Bronxville played Briarcliff was in the 2014 sectional final, or when the Broncos won their last Section 1 title.

“Knowing how strong they are as a team, we knew we had to go out there and play hard; we did that today,” said Bronxville midfielder Rachael Peacock, who scored her team’s third goal in the 28th minute on a high-arching shot from outside the box.. “We’re going to try to keep going, keep moving. There’s still more to come, nothing is guarenteed and we can’t take anything for granted.”

With Bronxville also hosting a sectional field hockey game, both the Broncos and Briarcliff got to play hooky to make the 1:30 p.m. start time.

“It was weird, but it was fun. I like getting out of school early and getting to play the game,” Peacock said “We got the result we wanted.”

Briarcliff, a traditional Class B power in the area that won three consecutive state titles from 2007 to 2009, will graduate five players from this year’s team.

The Bears got a glimpse of the future with under two minutes left, when freshman Maya Celaj scored to spoil Bronxville’s shutout.

Under 2 min left, Briarcliff scores to cot Bronxville's lead to 4-1. @hoopsmbd #lohudgirlssoccer https://t.co/XNd1yoLX2h

—
Adrian Szkolar (@Szkolar_Lohud) October 25, 2016

“We didn’t get our win today, but I’m really proud of all the girls. Bronxville’s a really good team; I’m happy for them but it would have been nice to get the win,” said senior captain Amelia Leahy. “We had a pretty young team this year and we have a lot of upcoming juniors for next year. They’ll do well.”

Player of the game: Mason Warble, Bronxville. While she is committed to play lacrosse at Brown, Warble showed her soccer skills on the pitch by controlling the pace of the game at the midfield. Her pass accross the box to Catherine Faville put Bronxville up 2-0 in the 16th minute. Warble even got on the scoresheet herself, scoring on an individual effort in the 76th minute.

76th min, Warble makes it 4-0. She has controlled the midfield today. @hoopsmbd #lohudgirlssoccer https://t.co/oeghd6R6d3

—
Adrian Szkolar (@Szkolar_Lohud) October 25, 2016

Turning point: In the 13th minute, Bronxville’s Gabriella Amboss fired a long ball into the box right at Briarcliff goalkeeper Emily Smoler. The freshman bobbled the ball and then tipped it across the goal line for the game’s opening score.

Quotable: “We want to start a new streak of sectional titles, so that’s in the back of our minds at the start of every game,” Warble said of last year’s semifinal loss to Albertus Magnus. “We want to win for our program, we want to get back to the finals and win.”

Twitter:  @Szkolar_Lohud

Bronxville’s Mason Warble (10) attempts to control the ball away from Braircliff’s Jackie Contento (13) during a Section 1, Class B girls soccer quarterfinal game between Bronxville and Briarcliff at Bronxville High School on Tuesday, Oct. 25th, 2016. Bronxville won 4-1.

Bronxville’s Ellie Walsh and Rye Neck’s Catherine Yoo battle for possession of the ball during a Section 1, Class C field hockey game at Bronxville High School on Tuesday, Oct. 25th, 2016.

The Croton Tigers had chance, after chance, after chance to score Tuesday.

And with 8:13 left to play, they finally did.

Loretta Violante’s goal off a penalty corner lifted the No. 2 Tigers to a 1-0 win over No. 7 Briarcliff in a Class C field hockey quarterfinal game.

Croton will host No. 3 Valhalla in the semifinals at 3 p.m. Friday.

But getting to that game wasn’t easy.

The Tigers, who beat Briarcliff 4-1 earlier this month and beat Valhalla 2-0 in early September, dominated Briarcliff Tuesday but were shut down by the Bears’ swarming defense inside the circle.

The defense committed numerous infractions, leading to 19 corners. But only three Croton shots actually made it on goal.

“We should definitely have had a higher score,” Croton coach Dorothy Perrone said, characterizing action in front of the Briarcliff goal chaotic.  “We had difficulty connecting today. There was so much going on in the circle. It got really sloppy.”

“Friday is a new day. Hopefully we’re able to play just as strong but finish,” she said, adding, she’s proud her 15-2 team has qualified to host the semifinals.

Valhalla 3, Pleasantville 0: In a Class C quarterfinal game at Valhalla, the No. 3 Vikings shut out No. 6 Pleasantville behind goals by Angela Vlad, Maria Pezzolanti and Michaella DeNatale, with Jackie Gonzalez adding two assists.

The Vikings will play at No. 2 Croton in Friday’s semifinals.

Bronxville 8, Rye Neck 0: In a Class C quarterfinal game at Bronxville, Mia Bettino had two goals and an assist and Andrea Shephard, Ellie Walsh, Hadley Barr, Ava Austi, Hannah Weirens and Fiona Jones also scored.

Christina Shin had eight saves for No. 8 Rye Neck, which didn’t have a shot on net.

No. 1 Bronxville will host No. 4 North Salem in Friday’s Class C semifinals.

Twitter:@HaggertyNancy

CHAPPAQUA – All season long, Mahopac has found a way to stay in step with the best teams in Section 1 and steal a few memorable wins.

Add one more to the list.

The Indians grabbed an early lead at Horace Greeley, survived a frantic comeback, regrouped in overtime and eventually took down the No. 1 seed in penalty kicks, posting a 3-2 victory Tuesday in a Section 1 Class AA quarterfinal.

Perhaps the underdog label no longer applies.

“It seems like we always go into overtime,” Mahopac midfielder Katie Yurish said. “We’ve done it time after time, but we really believe that we can go the distance with any team. We can beat any team.”

CLASS AA QUARTERFINAL: Suffern tops Clarkstown South 2-0

CLASS B QUARTERFINAL: Bronxville looks the part of a favorite against Briarcliff

SCOREBOARD: Quarterfinals results and stats

Ailis Martin and Morgan Kirby made the Indians’ first two PKs. Each one was answered, though. Quakers keeper Ashley Morgan came up with a diving stop on the next kick, but the next Greeley kick went wide left. Yurish made her penalty kick to keep the pressure on and the Quakers’ following attempt hit the crossbar.

Mahopac celebrated, but realized the game wasn’t over.

Sam Colatruglio took a deep breath after order was restored and put the exclamation point on another upset.

“Oh, my God,” the sophomore midfielder said. “That was crazy. I’ve never done anything like this before. That was insane. I was like, ‘I need to make this shot.’ I was like, ‘Sam, just breathe. You can do this.’ “

Mission accomplished.

The ninth-seeded Indians visit Suffern on Thursday, with the winner advancing to the championship game. Mahopac won an Oct. 15 meeting between the two by a 2-0 score. Of course, that game was decided in overtime.

“It’s just the character of the girls,” Indians coach Ross Fumusa said. “They don’t accept losing. They feel that no matter who we play, they’re going to win. Greeley is the best team we’ve played all season. That is some team we just beat and I’m really proud of the girls.”

Player of the game: Netting the first goal of the game was critical for Mahopac, which struggled to possess until Yurish got behind the defense, took a perfect setup from Carly Steinberg and scored with 23 minutes to go in the first half.

Turning point: After letting a 2-0 lead slip away in the second half, the Indians got more aggressive, more physical and wrestling momentum back in the overtimes.

Stat line: Morgan Kirby got loose behind the defense, isolated on the goalie and scored in the last four minutes of the first half to give Mahopac a 2-0 lead. … Stella Schwartz got the Quakers on the board give minutes into the second half, and Olivia Bonadies knotted the score on a blast from the right side of the box with 15 minutes to go in regulation.

Quotable: “We never give up, no matter how big the challenge is, we never give up,” Yurish said. “Honestly, I knew we were coming out with a win. Greeley was the No. 1 seed, but don’t sleep on us.”

Twitter:  @hoopsmbd

With Horace Greeley’s Emma Ardizzone closing in, Mahopac goalie Julia Mende holds on the ball during the Class AA girls soccer semifinal game at Horace Greeley in Chappaqua Oct. 25, 2016. Mahomac defeated Greeley on penalty kicks.

Mahopac celebrates after defeating Horace Greeley on penalty kicks to win their Class AA girls soccer semifinal at Horace Greeley in Chappaqua Oct. 25, 2016. Mahopac won the penalty kicks 4-2.

Both Suffern and Clarkstown South brought playoff intensity to the field on Tuesday.

But after 90 minutes, it was the Mounties who rode into the Section 1 Class AA semifinals.

In the early going, Clarkstown South controlled the ball for the first 20 minutes of the game, but were unable to find the net.

Twenty-five minutes into the game, the Mounties mounted a counter attack. Allie Goldstein found herself with a clean look on goal from inside the box, which she buried into the right corner of the net.

“There was a lot of wind in the first half which was a big factor. But after we scored that goal we gained a lot of confidence,” Suffern Coach Phil Madonia said. “We were just able to settle and start playing a lot better.”

CLASS AA QUARTERFINAL: Mahopac advances to semifinals on penalty kicks

CLASS B QUARTERFINAL: Bronxville looks the part of a favorite against Briarcliff

SCOREBOARD: Quarterfinals results and stats

A big reason for Suffern’s success was goalie Cassidy Rykowski. She recorded 13 saves, and single-handedly stopped three breaks on goal.

“Cassidy’s unbelievable. She plays with a lot of heart,” Madonia said. “She’s been a different keeper in the second half of the season. She really worked on some things and fixed them. She was a really big difference maker for us.”

“My goal as a keeper is to never let the other team score. I’m just happy I was able to do that today,” Rykowski said. “This was an amazing win for us. We’ve never made it this far. I’m really happy that this group of girls was able to do this.”

Player of the game: Cassidy Rykowski was able to save everything that Clarkstown South sent her way. She totaled 13 saves in the shutout for the Mounties.

Turning point: Nineteen minutes into the game, Clarkstown’s Abby Montera lined up for a free kick on the edge of the box which bounced off the top left cross bar and went out of play. If that had gone in, it might have been an entirely different game.

State line: Suffern’s Allie Goldstein and Kailey Brenner each recorded a goal. Cassidy Rykowski  recorded 13 saves for Suffern, while Clarkstown South’s Elianna Murphy stopped 10 of 12 shots.

Quotable: “In the playoffs we gear up a specific game plan for the other team,” Madonia said. “We go over set pieces a lot more, and work on strategy.”

Suffern’s Tatiana Cruz (14) and Clarkstown South’s Fiona Cummings (4) battle for possession during girls Class AA soccer quarterfinal at Clarkstown High School South in West Nyack on Tuesday, October 25, 2016. Suffern advances with their 2-0 win.

Suffern players celebrate a goal during their 2-0 win over Clarkstown South in the girls Class AA soccer quarterfinal at Clarkstown High School South in West Nyack on Tuesday, October 25, 2016.

Suffern’s Kailey Brenner (4) left, and Kyra Brenner (3) celebrate a goal during girls Class AA soccer quarterfinal at Clarkstown High School South in West Nyack on Tuesday, October 25, 2016.

Suffern’s Jackie Santangelo (23) works to block a pass during their 2-1 win over Clarkstown South in the girls Class AA soccer quarterfinal at Clarkstown High School South in West Nyack on Tuesday, October 25, 2016.

Somers opened the season with an 8-1 win at Eastchester.

Section 1 Girls Soccer Tournament

Semifinals

Tuesday

Class AA

No. 9 Mahopac 3, No. 1 Greeley 2 OT PK

GAME STORY: Mahopac advances to Class AA semifinals on penalty kicks

Up next: Suffern

No. 5 Suffern 2, No. 4 Clarkstown South 0

GAME STORY: Suffern tops Clarkstown South 2-0 in quarterfinals

Up next: Mahopac

No. 2 Arlington 4, No. 7 North Rockland 1

Goal: NRk – Kelly Brady. Arl – N/A.

Assists: NRk – Naya Rivera. Arl – N/A.

Saves:  NRk – Jenna Braunegel 9. Arl – N/A 2.

Halftime: North Rockland 1, Arlington 0

Noteworthy: The Admirals scored three goals in the first nine minutes of the second half.

Up next: Yorktown

No. 3 Yorktown 3, No. 11 Carmel 0

Goals: Yk – Ivana Pjetri 2, Alyssa Francese.

Assists: Ivana Pjetri, Emily Metz.

Saves: Yk – Nachman 14. C – Curtis 10.

Halftime: 0-0

Noteworthy: Pjetri has three goals and three assists in the last two matches.

Up next: Arlington

Class A

No. 1 Somers 6, No. 9 Tappan Zee 0

Goals: S – Katrina Kurtz 2, Ciara Ostrander 2, Jenna Menta, Ali Kalayjian.

Assists: S – Melina Couzis 5, Jenna Menta.

Saves: S – Lauren Chiriboga 6, Lauren Jockimo 4. TZ – Emma Chalusian 9, Kennedy Outlaw 1.

Halftime: Somers 6, Tappan Zee 0

Up next: John Jay

No. 5 John Jay 3, No. 13 Lakeland 1

Goals: JJ: Caroline Touzeau, Grace Vittoria, Willa Tobin. Lk – Gabby Libretti.

Assists: JJ: Touzeau. Lk – MacDonald.

Saves: Lk – Kaitlyn Heinrich 7, Stephanie Shahloub 2. JJ – Allison Oestreicher 11.

Halftime: John Jay 2, Lakeland 1

Up next: Somers

No. 15 Eastchester 2, No. 10 Byram Hills 1 OT PK

Up next: Pearl River

No. 6 Pearl River 6, No. 19 Lourdes 0

Goals: PR – Tara Guilfoyle, Shaelynn Guilfoyle, Emily Andriello, Cate Feerick, Alexis Meredith, Sarah Donovan.

Assists: PR – Emily Andriello, Cate Feerick, Tara Guilfoyle, Aileen McBride, Alyssa Portington.

Saves: OLL – Gabby Campili 10. PR – Katherine Carstenson 1, Kelly Buchan 1.

Halftime: Pearl River 2, Lourdes 0

Up next: Byram Hills or Eastchester

Class B

No. 9 Briarcliff at No. 1 Bronxville, 1:30 p.m.

GAME STORY: Bronxville looks the part of a favorite against Briarcliff

Up next: Pleasantville

No. 4 Pleasantville 3, No. 5 Croton-Harmon 0

Goals: Pv – Rachel VanSise 3.

Assists: Pv – Lyndsey Minerva.

Saves:  Pv – Kristie Guttridge 6. CH – Meaghan Walsh 10

Halftime:  Pleasantville 2, Croton 0

Up next: Bronxville

No. 2 Irvington 6, No. 7 Edgemont 0

Goals:  I – Zoe Maxwell 2, Jessica Greene, Lindsay Halpin 2, Sofia Garcia.

Assists: I – Miranda Farman, Lindsay Halpin, Heather Hall, Melanie Geller, Allie Pollack, Mariana Maciel.

Saves: I – Rebekah Rosman 5, Hannah Agoglia 15.

Halftime: Irvington 5, Edgemont 0

Up next: Albertus Magnus

No. 3 Albertus Magnus 4, No. 6 Putnam Valley 1

Goals: AM – Mazie Stiles 2, Eva LoPresti, Lizzy Benedetto. PV – N/A.

Assists: AM – Danielle LaRochelle, Eva LoPresti, Mazie Stiles 2.

Saves: AM – Kaitlyn Kreider 3. PV – Gillian Hanson 4.

Halftime: Albertus 2, Putnam Valley 0

Up next: Irvington

Class C

No. 4 North Salem 6, No. 5 Hamilton 0

Up next: Haldane

HIGH SCHOOL

Tuesday’s results

Girls soccer

Section 1 tournament

Class AA

No. 9 Mahopac 3, No. 1 Greeley 2 PK

No. 2 Arlington 4, No. 7 North Rockland 1

No. 3 Yorktown 3, No. 11 Carmel 0

No. 5 Suffern 2, No. 4 Clarkstown South 0

Class A

No. 15 Eastchester 2, No. 10 Byram Hills 1 PK

No. 6 Pearl River 6, No. 19 Lourdes 0

No. 5 John Jay 3, No. 13 Lakeland 1

No. 1 Somers 6, No. 9 Tappan Zee 0

Class B

No. 1 Bronxville 4, No. 9 Briarcliff 1

No. 4 Pleasantville 3, No. 5 Croton-Harmon 0

No. 2 Irvington 6, No. 7 Edgemont 0

No. 3 Albertus Magnus 4, No. 6 Putnam Valley 1

Class C

No. 4 North Salem 6, No. 5 Hamilton 0

Field hockey

Section 1 tournament

Class C

Quarterfinals

No. 3 Valhalla 3, No. 6 Pleasantville 0

No. 4 North Salem 1, No. 5 Pawling 0

No. 1 Bronxville 8, No. 8 Rye Neck 0

No. 2 Croton-Harmon 1, No. 7 Briarcliff 0

Boys volleyball

Suffern 3, Scarsdale 0

Clarkstown North 3, Clarkstown South 1

Wednesday’s events

Boys soccer

Section 1 tournament

Semifinals

Class AA

No. 10 Ossining at No. 3 Arlington

No. 5 Scarsdale vs. No. 8 New Rochelle/No. 1 Mamaroneck

Class A

No. 3 Somers at No. 2 Byram Hills, 3 p.m.

No. 4 Lakeland at No. 1 Pearl River, 3 p.m.

Class B

No. 5 Blind Brook at No. 1 Rye Neck, 3 p.m.

No. 3 Bronxville at No. 2 Hastings, 3 p.m.

Class C

No. 4 Hamilton at No. 1 North Salem, 3 p.m.

No. 5 Tuckahoe at No. 4 Hamilton, 3 p.m.

Field hockey

Section 1 tournament

Class B

Quarterfinals

No. 8 Pearl River at No. 1 Lakeland, 4 p.m.

No. 5 Nyack at No. 4 Panas, 4:30 p.m.

No. 6 John Jay at No. 3 Somers, 4:30 p.m.

No. 7 Pelham at No. 2 Rye, 6 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 27

Girls soccer

Section 1 tournament

Semifinals

Class AA

semifinals

Class A

semifinals

Class B

semifinals

Class C

semifinals

Field hockey

Section 1 tournament

Quarterfinals

Class A

No. 6 Suffern at No. 3 Clarkstown South, 4:15 p.m.

Boys volleyball

Clarkstown North at Suffern, 5:30 p.m.

Clarkstown South at Scarsdale, 5:30 p.m.

Hudson River Museum director Masha Turchinsky, a Yonkers native who ran the 5K for the second time, thinks the races are a great way to see the city.

The start/finish line is a stone’s throw from the Hudson River and, particularly at this color-filled time of year, a spectacular view of the Palisades Cliffs that seems lifted from an artist’s canvas.

The once-downtrodden Yonkers waterfront is on the upswing with new buildings, fun bars and restaurants and plans for much more.

All of this should help Yonkers become more of a destination place. But so far, it hasn’t done much for the Yonkers Marathon and its associated races.

That could and should change.

This year’s race numbers fell, despite the hiring new race director Tom Cronin, who added family-friendly races to smartly expand one day of racing into two.

Some reasons for the drop were unavoidable, others completely avoidable.

Cronin couldn’t initially get the contact list of past Yonkers runners from the previous race director. This delayed contact, he said, and many signed up for other races.

Runners participate in the Yonkers Marathon, half marathon and 5K, which started near Larkin Place in Yonkers, Oct. 23, 2016.

And Saturday’s abysmal weather no doubt severely reduced the number of participants in two short superhero costume races and an obstacle-course mud run.

But the mud run would have been a boondoggle regardless.

The key word in Mud Run is mud and, with the promoter and city at odds on race day about how that mud would be created, there was no mud, just obstacles.

The next day, Cronin said he’d abandon the mud run next year and just concentrate on the other races.

He had reason to be frustrated, but a mud run – with mud – could bring hundreds of additional people to Yonkers.

If a different venue is needed, the city ought to approach Westchester County about using parkland in Yonkers, or use city school property.

And wherever these races are held, a sense of community should be fostered through school-vs.-school, parents-vs.-parents, police-vs.-fire, public works-vs.city hall and so on and so on superheroes and mud run races.

Think kids who have so few recreational opportunities in Yonkers wouldn’t jump at the chance to jump in the mud and also jump at the chance to watch their teachers and parents do so, too?

Now, with a full year to plan, rather than just a summer, Cronin’s forming a committee with area race club members and former Yonkers runners, to map out improvements.

New York City Marathon organizers, he said, have also promised to promote the Yonkers races among applicants who don’t get into their marathon.

That’s a terrific idea that, conceivably, could add thousands of runners to the Yonkers races.

But other things could also make a huge difference.

Runners and their families flocked to the nearby Yonkers Brewery, which offered $1 beers for of-age runners.

But a real race festival, band, vendors, etc. at the start/finish would attract not only more runners and their families but actual spectators who might well go to the brewery and other restaurants.

And new rules that left many runners downcast and saying they won’t return must be changed.

There should again be age-group winners (maybe awarded cheap but meaningful ribbons), so more people can feel a greater sense of accomplishment.

And a ridiculous two-and-a-half-hour midway cutoff for marathon runners has to be either greatly extended or a time limit totally scuttled.

Yonkers’ hilly marathon course is more difficult than the New York City Marathon course, yet, according to a New York Times article, last year’s last official finisher clocked eight hours and 28 minutes and, while the times of those finishing later weren’t officially recorded, the clock was left off so everyone could feel a sense of joy and accomplishment.

Telling runners who’ve finished 13 miles in more than just 2:30 they must either accept a half marathon time or keep running but get no official time and telling those on the course who made that time cutoff but are running slower than a projected 5:30 finish their time won’t count is horrible public relations.

But run properly, the races, including the marathon, which has survived 91 years, will provide huge dividends for Yonkers.

Half marathon winner Bobby Asher, a former Edgemont High runner who captains the Van Cortlandt Track Club, termed the races a “regional treasure.”

He’s right. But as they are, they remain mostly a hidden treasure.

Twitter: @HaggertyNancy

Runners participate in the Yonkers Marathon, half marathon and 5K, which started near Larkin Place in Yonkers, Oct. 23, 2016.

Brewster defeated Hen Hud 42-28 in football playoff action at Brewster High School Oct. 21, 2016.

Each week, Josh Thomson will give his predictions on every high school football game in Westchester, Rockland and Putnam Counties. That will include highlighting the five games of the week. Leave your thoughts on this week’s games in the comments, e-mail Josh at jthomson@lohud.com, or reach Josh on Twitter @lohudinsider.

PREDICTIONS: Podcast, playoffs and more in Section 1 quarterfinal picks

SCHEDULE: The complete Section 1 football playoff schedule

THE FIFTH QUARTER: Klein, Scarsdale find the upset formula; plus the Player and Coach of the Week

PODCAST: Our second edition of the Lohud Sports playoff football podcast dropped on Tuesday! If you want to hear my analysis on last week’s games and this week’s semifinals, listen to my breakdown with Leif Skodnick.

Remember: You can find it on Soundcloud or download it or subscribe on iTunes.

Below are my predictions on each of this week’s individual games, including the quarterfinals:

Week 9 predictions —

Class AA semifinals

Saturday, Oct. 29

No. 3 Clarkstown South at No. 2 New Rochelle, 1:30 p.m. — After the way Carmel played New Rochelle last week, it’d be easy to expect this game to be close as well. Not so fast. Remember: New Ro beat South on the road by three touchdowns despite six turnovers. That just won’t happen again. The pick: New Rochelle 27, Clarkstown South 7.

No. 5 Scarsdale at No. 1 Arlington, 6 p.m. — I’m a little apprehensive to pick Scarsdale to win a second straight game on the road. The Raiders are a long way from home again and will face a more physical opponent. However, Scarsdale probably has the better team at this point as long as it can protect the football. The pick: Scarsdale 21, Arlington 17.

Class A semifinals

Friday, Oct. 28

No. 5 Rye at No. 1 Yorktown, 7 p.m. — Rye has beat Yorktown in the playoffs each of the last three seasons. The Huskers should be very motivated to win. They are talented and are more than capable of standing toe to toe with the Garnets. However, I have thought all year that Rye’s best is the best in Class A, so I’ll stick with that here. The pick: Rye 24, Yorktown 21.

No. 3 Somers at No. 2 Brewster, 7 p.m. — This should be a classic. I expect this to be the biggest crowd of the week. It also pits two of the area’s best players head to head in Messiah Horne and Jack Guida. I give Somers a slight edge because it has the more diverse offense, but Brewster might give the Tuskers fits up front. The pick: Somers 21, Brewster 20 (OT).

Class B semifinals

Friday, Oct. 28

No. 4 Ardsley at No. 1 Pleasantville at Parkway Field, 6 p.m. — Pleasantville should be healthy and fresh after last week’s quarterfinal bye. The Panthers needed some time to take control before rallying late to beat Ardsley 31-0 during the regular season. Don’t expect it to be that lopsided, but Ardsley will have a tough time scoring points in the rematch. The pick: Pleasantville 14, Ardsley 0.

Saturday, Oct. 29

No. 6 Valhalla at No. 2 Westlake, 1:30 p.m. — This is a very interesting game. Valhalla took a 17-0 lead when they met during the regular season before Westlake rallied to win 21-17. The Vikings won’t jump ahead like that again. They are dangerous, but Westlake’s defense will be tough to beat. The pick: Westlake 28, Valhalla 13.

Class C semifinals

Saturday, Oct. 29

No. 3 Bronxville at No. 2 Dobbs Ferry, 1:30 p.m. — Bronxville had several players suspended the last time these teams met, which resulted in a 39-7 Dobbs win. That won’t happen again, but Dobbs has had the better season overall and will get the benefit of playing at home. The pick: Dobbs Ferry 26, Bronxville 17.

No. 4 Rye Neck at No. 1 Woodlands, 1:30 p.m. — The Falcons just beat Rye Neck 47-6 on Oct. 15. There’s no reason to expect the semifinal to end much differently. Right now, Woodlands is a strong favorite to win it all in Class C. Its defense has been fierce. The pick: Woodlands 33, Rye Neck 6.

Ardsley defeated Albertus Magnus 22-16 in football action at Edgemont High School Oct. 22, 2016.

Other games:

Thursday, Oct. 27

Lakeland at Byram Hills, 3:45 p.m. — Lakeland 21, Byram Hills 7

Sleepy Hollow at Ossining, 5 p.m. — Sleepy Hollow 34, Ossining 20

John Jay at Hen Hud, 6 p.m. — John Jay 41, Hen Hud 35

Tappan Zee at Harrison, 6 p.m. — Tappan Zee 20, Harrison 7

Friday, Oct. 28

Port Chester at White Plains, 6 p.m. — Port Chester 19, White Plains 14

Carmel at Spring Valley at Torne Valley Field, 6 p.m. — Carmel 21, Spring Valley 13

Eastchester at Panas, 6:30 p.m. — Panas 14, Eastchester 7

Nyack at Suffern, 7 p.m. — Suffern 27, Nyack 13

Ketcham at Fox Lane, 7 p.m. — Fox Lane 28, Ketcham 14

Saturday, Oct. 29

Briarcliff/Hamilton at Lincoln, 11 a.m. — Briarcliff 21, Lincoln 6

Mahopac at Mount Vernon, 11 a.m. — Mount Vernon 20, Mahopac 13

Pawling vs. Yonkers at Roosevelt, 1:30 p.m. — Pawling 19, Yonkers 6

John Jay-East Fishkill at North Rockland, 1:30 p.m. — John Jay 21, North Rockland 13

Saunders vs. Riverside at Gorton High School, 1:30 p.m. — Riverside 27, Saunders 12

Pearl River at Yonkers Montessori, 1:30 p.m. — Pearl River 39, YMA 6

Hackley at Montclair Kimberley, 1:30 p.m. — Monclair Kimberley 34, Hackley 20

Stepinac at Chaminade, 2 p.m. — Stepinac 35, Chaminade 20

St. Luke’s at Rye Country Day, 3:30 p.m. — Rye Country Day 20, St. Luke’s 14

Hudson River Football League

Yonkers Bowl at Saunders High School:

No. 1 Gorton vs. No. 2 Pelham, 1:30 p.m. — Gorton 19, Pelham 13

Class B bowls at Valhalla

Albertus Magnus vs. Nanuet, 12 p.m. — Albertus Magnus 19, Nanuet 14

Putnam Valley vs. Blind Brook, 3 p.m. — Putnam Valley 20, Blind Brook 13

Sunday, Oct. 30

Iona Prep at St. Francis Prep, 1 p.m. — Iona Prep 41, St. Francis Prep 7

Idle: Kennedy

Twitter: @lohudinsider

Mahopac defeated Horace Greeley on penalty kicks to win their Class AA girls soccer semifinal girls soccer game at Horace Greeley in Chappaqua Oct. 25, 2016.

Right now, it sounds like the schools are going to play on if possible, but the forecast is calling for heavy rain. There are two grass fields in play – Solomon Schechter and Pearl River. Both schools have been instructed to look into alternate plans. I’ll be monitoring the situation on Thursday, so keep an eye on my Twitter account @hoopsmbd for updates.

Section 1 Girls Soccer Tournament

Thursday

Class AA

No. 9 Mahopac at No. 5 Suffern, 4:15 p.m.

No. 3 Yorktown at No. 2 Arlington, 3 p.m.

Class A

No. 5 John Jay at No. 1 Somers, 3 p.m.

No. 15 Eastchester at No. 6 Pearl River, 3 p.m.

Class B

No. 4 Pleasantville at No. 1 Bronxville, 2:45 p.m.

No. 3 Albertus Magnus at No. 2 Irvington, 3 p.m.

Class C

No. 4 North Salem at No. 1 Haldane, 3 p.m.

No. 3 Tuckahoe at No. 2 Solomon Schechter, 3:30 p.m.

The official seeds for this year’s Section 1 volleyball tournament were announced just before noon Wednesday morning. Below, please find the complete schedule for the tournament. I listed the schedule in chronological order, not by class. When I post my annual Zacketology predictions later, they will be sorted by class.

MOCK SEEDS: Projecting the Section 1 volleyball tournament field

Tappan Zee takes on Harrison during the Scarsdale volleyball tournament at Scarsdale High School on Saturday, September 17, 2016.

Thursday, Oct. 27

Outbracket

Class AA

No. 17 East Ramapo at No. 16 Clarkstown South, 4:30 p.m.

Class A

No. 17 Harrison at No. 16 Lakeland, 4:30 p.m.

No. 18 Byram Hills at No. 15 Brewster, 4:30 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 28

First round

Class AA

No. 17 East Ramapo-No. 16 Clarkstown South winner at No. 1 Ossining, 4:30 p.m.

No. 15 Ketcham at No. 2 Ursuline, 5 p.m.

No. 14 White Plains at No. 3 New Rochelle, 4:30 p.m.

No. 13 Mamaroneck at No. 4 North Rockland, 4:30 p.m.

No. 12 Mahopac at No. 5 Scarsdale, 4:30 p.m.

No. 11 Clarkstown North at No. 6 John Jay-East Fishkill, 4:30 p.m.

No. 10 Horace Greeley at No. 7 Fox Lane, 4:30 p.m.

No. 9 Suffern at No. 8 Arlington, 5 p.m.

Class A

No. 17 Harrison-No. 16 Lakeland winner at No. 1 Panas, 4:30 p.m.

No. 18 Byram Hills-No. 15 Brewster winner at No. 2 Nyack, 5 p.m.

No. 14 Somers at No. 3 Pelham, 4:30 p.m.

No. 13 Saunders at No. 4 Hen Hud, 4:30 p.m.

No. 12 Beacon at No. 5 Yorktown, 4:30 p.m.

No. 11 Eastchester at No. 6 Tappan Zee, 4:30 p.m.

No. 10 John Jay at No. 7 Rye, 4:30 p.m.

No. 9 Peekskill at No. 8 Yonkers, 4:30 p.m.

Class B

No. 1 Lourdes receives a first-round bye

No. 15 Croton-Harmon at No. 2 Westlake, 4:30 p.m.

No. 14 Hastings at No. 3 Ardsley, 4:30 p.m.

No. 13 Albertus Magnus at No. 4 Valhalla, 4:30 p.m.

No. 12 Pleasantville at No. 5 Putnam Valley, 4:30 p.m.

No. 11 Rye Neck at No. 6 Irvington, 4:30 p.m.

No. 10 Edgemont at No. 7 Briarcliff, 4:30 p.m.

No. 9 Blind Brook at No. 8 Nanuet, 4:30 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 31

Quarterfinals

Class AA

At higher seed

Class C

No. 1 Pawling receives a bye into the quarterfinals

No. 7 Woodlands at No. 2 Dobbs Ferry, 4:30 p.m.

No. 6 North Salem at No. 3 Keio, 4:30 p.m.

No. 5 Hamilton at No. 4 Haldane, 4:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 1

Quarterfinals

Class A

At higher seed

Class B

At higher seed

Wednesday, Nov. 2

Semifinals

Class AA

At higher seed

Class C

At higher seed

Thursday, Nov. 3

Semifinals

Class A

At higher seed

Class B

At higher seed

Friday, Nov. 4

Finals

At Hendrick Hudson High School

Class AA final, 5 p.m.

Class C final, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 5

Finals

At John Jay-Cross River High School

Class B final, 2 p.m.

Class A final, 4:30 p.m.

Scarsdale celebrates after a goal from Erin Nicholas put the Raiders up 3-1 during a Section 1, Class A field hockey semifinal game between Scarsdale and Clarkstown South at Scarsdale High School on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016. Scarsdale won 7-1.

SCARSDALE – For most of Saturday’s Section 1, Class A field hockey semifinal game against Clarkstown South, Scarsdale was cruising along – with the exception of one sudden hiccup.

With 1:14 left in the first half and the Raiders up 1-0, Clarkstown South managed to earn a rare penalty corner, and made the most of it when Jenna Rogers buried a rebound to tie the game.

1:14 1H, South gets a corner, makes the most of it. Jenna Rogers ties it at 1. https://t.co/tHB6xyRI2e

—
Adrian Szkolar (@Szkolar_Lohud) October 29, 2016

Scarsdale’s Jilly Mehlman, however, didn’t want any part of seeing the second-seeded Raiders get upset by the third-seeded Vikings.

Immediately after Rogers’ goal, the senior managed to run with ball down the field, with the thought of just getting the ball to the net in hopes of drawing a corner. Better than drawing a corner, she scored, putting the Raiders back up 2-1 with 28.2 seconds left in the half.

“When South tied it, I was like ‘it’s go time,’ I wanted to use my speed and do everything humanely possible to get the ball up the field,” Mehlman said. “I wasn’t worried, I knew we were better. When it was 1-1, it just meant it was going to get everyone going again.”

An avalanche of Scarsdale goals followed in the second half, and the Raiders earned their first trip to the sectional finals in three years with a 7-1 win.

Mehlman, one of the fastest lacrosse players in Section 1, showcased her speed on Saturday, dribbling the ball past Clarkstown South defenders on the right wing to generate a good portion of her team’s scoring chances.

21:34 2H, Mehlman just misses on the breakaway. @HaggertyNancy #lohudfieldhockey https://t.co/GpXIkTovAm

—
Adrian Szkolar (@Szkolar_Lohud) October 29, 2016

It was how she opened the game’s scoring early in the first half, beating everyone down the wing and cutting inside.

“She’s got tremendous people, she can really beat people up the wing and send beautiful cross balls,” Scarsdale head coach Sharon Rosenthal said. “She had tremendous energy today, her speed all game long was incredible. It was a well-fought game on both ends, I give South a lot of credit for playing hard and keeping up.”

Clarkstown South finished the season with a 14-3-1 record, ending a campaign which head coach Jordan Turner called the greatest ever in the program’s history.

“We’ve been playing together for more than six years, we play travel together, it’s just a really weird feeling that it’s actually over,” senior Colleen Geyer said. “Even when the season’s over, we’re always with each other. We’re still going to be together, it’s just weird we’ll never play together again”

6:20 2H, South not giving up. @HaggertyNancy #lohudfieldhockey https://t.co/kCebCqF7kR

—
Adrian Szkolar (@Szkolar_Lohud) October 29, 2016

Less than 24 hours before Saturday’s game, the Vikings defeated Suffern, a traditional field hockey power in Rockland county, 1-0, with the lone goal coming with 17 seconds left.

“That was probably our best game; we hadn’t beaten Suffern in 27 years, so to actually beat them was crazy” senior Danielle Noia said. “We’re a family; everyone cheers each other on no matter if someone is having a bad day. We’re always there for each other.”

Scarsdale will play either top-seeded Mamaroneck or No. 5 Horace Greeley in the Class A final at Brewster High School on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

Player of the game: Jilly Mehlman, Scarsdale. After scoring both goals in the first half, Mehlman took the role of playmaker in the second half. She finished the game with two goals and two assists.

14:34 2H, off the corner, Mehlman blasts a shot, Abby Glaser cleans up the garbage. Raiders up 5-1. @HaggertyNancy… twitter.com/i/web/status/7…

—
Adrian Szkolar (@Szkolar_Lohud) October 29, 2016

Turning point: At the start of the second half, Clarkstown South pushed for the equalizer. The Raiders, however, managed to get possession back and turn quickly upfield on a counter, which ended with Mehlman setting up Erin Nicholas in front to put the Raiders up 3-1 with 28:17 left in the game.

Stat line: Nicholas had a goal and two assists, Emma Schwartz and Abby Glaser had a goal each, Emma Coleman had an assist and Audrey Shaev scored the game’s final two goals. For Clarkstown South, Noia had an assist.

FINAL: @ScarsdaleRaider 7, @SouthViking 1. Raiders score one more before time expires. @HaggertyNancy… twitter.com/i/web/status/7…

—
Adrian Szkolar (@Szkolar_Lohud) October 29, 2016

Quotable: “The floodgates were open after that; we were in a scoring mood,” Mehlman said of her go-ahead goal in the first half. “Everyone was transitioning, there were no gaps between our offense and defense, it was a unified front and that’s why we were so successful.”

“Going in at 2-1, we still believed we could win. They were dominating the game, but if you can keep it close, you can win,” Clarkstown South head coach Jordan Turner said. “Winning more games than any other South team is special, but I think this a really special group in that they are tight-knit. They are a fun to coach and they are easy to coach because they are a committed and dedicated team.”

Twitter:  @Szkolar_Lohud

Clarkstown South celebrates after a goal from Jenna Rogers ties the game 1-1 during the first half of a Section 1, Class A field hockey semifinal game between Scarsdale and Clarkstown South at Scarsdale High School on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016. Scarsdale won 7-1.

Scarsdale’s Elizabeth Scarcella (left) and Clarkstown South’s Dara Studnitzer battle for possession during a Section 1, Class A field hockey semifinal game between Scarsdale and Clarkstown South at Scarsdale High School on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016. Scarsdale won 7-1.

Scarsdale’s Erin Nicholas (right) stickhandles past Colleen Geyer during a Section 1, Class A field hockey semifinal game between Scarsdale and Clarkstown South at Scarsdale High School on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016. Scarsdale won 7-1.

New Rochelle payers celebrate with the section 1 plaque after defeatingd Arlington 3-0 in the boys soccer Section 1 Class AA championship game at Lakeland High School in Shrub Oak High School Oct. 29, 2016.

SHRUB OAK – Around the time that the Section 1 soccer playoffs were beginning, New Rochelle coach Jarohan Garcia and senior Cristian Valencia got into the habit of sitting next to each other on the bus ride to games.

Their conversations are ongoing, but they rarely focus on soccer. Instead, they discuss Valencia’s college plans and thoughts about the future – “I just ask him questions about the way that he sees the world,” Garcia said – and it has a calming influence for both coach and student.

If it helps Valencia play better, that’s an added bonus, and it certainly seemed to be the case on Saturday. He scored twice in the Class AA final, a dominant 3-0 win over defending champion Arlington, to give the Huguenots their first sectional title since 1996.

“He keeps me focused and gets me ready,” Valencia said. “I have a very good relationship with coach because he’s helped me out a lot, and I really thank him for that.”

New Rochelle entered the playoffs as the No. 8 seed, but got past top-seeded Mamaroneck and fifth-seeded Scarsdale — both on penalty kicks — before pulling off yet another upset against No. 3 Arlington.

The Huguenots (10-4-4) were lethal in the first half, getting two goals from Valencia and another from Leonardo Vargas while holding the Admirals to no shot attempts on goal. Omar Espinoza assisted on two of the goals and Harwan Alzuabidi on the other.

“I think that was our best half all season,” senior Ethan Manley said. “Putting three in the net after not scoring in regulation and overtime in the last game – that was the best start we could have ever asked for.”

CLASS B: Hastings repeats in Class B nail-biter against Rye Neck

CLASS A: Freshman called up from JV nets game-winner for Somers

In the not-so-distant past, this same New Rochelle program was in turmoil. An incident during a game against White Plains in 2013 left one player’s jaw broken and smeared the Huguenots’ reputation.

Prior to the 2014 season, Garcia was brought in to take over the head coaching duties, and he sent a clear message.

“Coach has been amazing,” Manley said. “He is this program. He changed everything – the culture, the attitude and the way that we felt about our own team. Before, I always said that New Ro didn’t have a winning mentality, but he brought that. He made us believe in our ourselves and brought discipline and structure.”

New Rochelle’s Cristian Valencia (7) celebrates with teammate Stevenson Dievdonne (9) after his second goal of the first half against Arlington in the boys soccer Section 1 Class AA championship game at Lakeland High School in Shrub Oak High School Oct. 29, 2016. New Rochelle won the game 3-0.

Once the off-the-field issues were straightened out, the enviable talent at New Rochelle was able to thrive, which led to a championship much quicker than anyone expected. After a difficult road to the final, the Huguenots put on their most impressive display of all against the same Arlington team which had beaten them earlier this season.

The journey will continue on Wednesday in the regional semifinals against Section 4 champion Ithaca, which will be played at 6:30 p.m. at Lakeland High School.

“The talent is just unbelievable in New Rochelle,” Garcia said. “The kids were there – it was just a matter of giving them the avenue to be successful.”

Twitter: @vzmercogliano

New Rochelle’s Cristian Valencia (7) heads the ball away from Arlington’s (5) during the boys soccer Section 1 Class AA championship game at Lakeland High School in Shrub Oak High School Oct. 29, 2016. Valencia had two goals in New Rochelle’s 3-0 victory.

New Rochelle’s Cristian Valencia (7) breaks away from Arlington’s (16) as he shoots his second goal of the first half during the boys soccer Section 1 Class AA championship game at Lakeland High School in Shrub Oak High School Oct. 29, 2016. New Rochelle won the game 3-0.

NEW ROCHELLE – His team had just outgained its opponent 441-71, allowed minus-17 yards rushing and pitched a second straight shutout.

Yet Lou DiRienzo couldn’t help but think about Monday morning. In his perfectionist view of football reality, New Rochelle will still have great strides to make, starting then, or its season will end abruptly.

Such is the standard for DiRienzo and his second-seeded Huguenots, who shutout No. 3 Clarkstown South 27-0 in Saturday’s Class AA semifinals. They earned a return trip to the Section 1 championship game at noon Saturday at Mahopac High School.

“We have a lot of work to,” said DiRienzo, whose team improved to 8-0. “We have to get more disciplined. We have to get more focused. We have to get more passionate. We have to get more enthusiasm or we’re going to get knocked out of this tournament.”

QUARTERFINALS: Baron’s one TD enough for Huguenots to top Carmel 6-0

SCHEDULE: Section 1 football playoff schedule

New Rochelle, the No. 2-ranked Class AA team in the state, will enter the Class AA final as a prohibitive favorite to repeat. The Huguenots will likely meet No. 5 Scarsdale, a team it beat 34-0 on Sept. 16.

DiRienzo decried his team’s mistakes and inconsistent offensive rhythm. They plagued New Rochelle during last week’s 6-0 win over Carmel in the quarterfinals and again on Saturday.

The Huguenots showed some positive gains this week, including 283 yards rushing, which was led by junior Jared Baron, who had 13 carries for 72 yards and two scores.

“Defensively, I have to be happy,” DiRienzo said. “We pitched two shutouts in two playoff games. But, right now, we’re just not very crisp offensively. It’s a great concern of mine.”

Quarterback Jonathan Saddler thought the team was motivated by last week’s narrow win — even if it still had room for improvement.

“I think we have a new passion for the game and that sparked us,” Saddler said. “We’ve been somewhat coasting all year and we needed to step our game up.”

Player of the game: Jonathan Saddler, New Rochelle. It was a fairly balanced effort all around, but Saddler contributed in three areas. He went 6 for 11 for 103 yards passing, rushed six times for 35 yards and a touchdown and recorded a sack on defense. The junior linebacker was one of several defenders responsible for the team’s fourth shutout of 2016.

Stat line: New Rochelle (8-0) — Lloyd King, Myles Taylor and Jaylin McGhee all had interceptions and Taylor caught two passes for 60 yards. Clarkstown South (6-2) — Matt Jung went 13 for 30 for 88 yards passing for the Vikings, who had just six first downs.. … Bodhi Gallo had an interception.

Quotable: “We have to go back to the drawing board, we have to get focused, we have to get enthusiastic,” DiRienzo said. “We have to understand just because it says New Rochelle on your uniform, it doesn’t mean that it’s your birthright to play in the section championship. Everyone else wants what you have, so you have to go out and get it.”

Twitter:  @lohudinsider

New Rochelle’s Romeo Holden is eye to eye with Clarkstown South’s Bodhi Gallo during their Class AA semifinal in New Rochelle Oct. 29, 2016.

New Rochelle’s Jared Baron is stopped by Clarkstown South’s Samuel Mistretta during their Class AA semifinal in New Rochelle Oct. 29, 2016.

New Rochelle’s Romeo Holden’s pass is incomplete in the end zone as Clarkstown South players go flying during their Class AA semifinal in New Rochelle Oct. 29, 2016.

THORNWOOD – Andrew DiBiase took a handoff in the shadow of the goal post early in the second half, plowed through a small opening in the line and was quickly surrounded by a swarming defense.

He refused to yield.

In a matter of seconds, the entire Westlake offensive line was pushing the pile up the field, picking up the most important 10 yards of the game.

Valhalla simply had no leverage.

Rob DiNota eventually capped the 98-yard statement drive with a 20-yard scoring run, giving the Wildcats needed momentum.

Westlake rolled from there, posting a 35-3 win in a Section 1 Class B semifinal and is now in position for a repeat. The defending champions played lockdown defense after the intermission and scored four unanswered touchdowns.

It was a fitting exclamation point.

“That sent a message,” said DiNota, who set up the drive with his third interception of the game. “We let them know they weren’t going to stop us as long as we kept doing what we do.”

Next up is another meeting with unbeaten Pleasantville at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday at Mahopac High School. The Panthers won a back-and-forth showdown two weeks ago.

Joseph Ferri had the Wildcats on the board after he covered 36 yards in two plays, but the Vikings were in a stubborn mood.

Westlake only picked up 17 yards the rest of the half.

“It was as simple as execution,” Wildcats coach John Castellano said. “At halftime when we looked at what we were doing, we just weren’t staying on our blocks. We weren’t committed to doing what we were doing.”

A little motivation from line coach Jose St. Victor inspired the early push.

The second Westlake possession covered 61 yards and resulted in a DiNota touchdown on a 1-yard plunge. Valhalla was unable to move the ball. The Wildcats ran for nearly 250 yards in the second half.

Andrew Borrero, a defensive tackle, made a memory when he latched onto a screen pass and returned the ball 34 yards for a touchdown.

“It was third and long so we knew the screen was coming,” he said. “I saw the back coming out of the backfield, stepped in front and took that ball right out of his hands. I knew I had to get to the end zone. I’ve never gotten there. It was the first touchdown of my whole life. The whole thing was a blur. I have to go watch it on film.”

Player of the game: DiNota was all over the place. He came up with three interceptions and ran for 64 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries.

Turning point: The Wildcats had a 7-3 lead when they fumbled away the opening kick in the second half, but DiNota came up with the interception, the line began to fire out and Westlake moved 98 yards for a touchdown.

Stat line: Ferri had a game-high 122 yards on just nine carries. … DiBiase had 55 yards and one touchdown on 10 carries. … Valhalla was limited to 73 yards on 22 carries.

Quotable: “We really wanted that one bad,” DiNota said. “We’ve all worked so hard and we really want to get back at Pleasantville and win the section two times in a row.”

Twitter: @hoopsmbd

Westlake’s Robert DiNota intercepts a pass intended for Valhalla’s Michael Ferrara during a Class B semifinal football game at Westlake High School in Thornwood Oct. 29, 2016. DiNota had three interceptions as Westlake defeated Valhalla 35-3.

Westlake’s Andrew Borrero returns an interception for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of a Class B semifinal football game against Valhalla at Westlake High School in Thornwood Oct. 29, 2016. Westlake defeated Valhalla 35-3.

Westlake’s Robert DiNota breaks up a pass intended for Valhalla’s Michael Ferrara during a Class B semifinal football game at Westlake High School in Thornwood Oct. 29, 2016. DiNota had three interceptions as Westlake defeated Valhalla 35-3.

Rye’s Nathalie Rodilosso, pictured here in a file photo from last week’s sectional third-place game at Sound Shore Indoor Tennis on Oct. 23rd, advanced to the quarterfinals of the state championships on Saturday.

With the New York State girls tennis state tournament being held at the Sound Shore Indoor Tennis facility in Port Chester this year, there might be a benefit for Section 1’s players playing close to home.

If there is an advantage to hosting a tournament, it might have been a factor on Saturday, as all three singles players and all three doubles teams representing the section advanced to the quarterfinals following the first day of tournament action.

Briarcliff’s Rebecca Lim, who won the Section 1 singles title last week despite being unseeded, received a bye in the first round and then defeated New Hartford’s Sarah Corasanti (Section 3) 6-0, 6-1.

Yorktown’s Caitlin Ferrante also received a bye in the first round. She defeated Valley Central’s Kortney McHale (Section 9) 6-1, 6-0 in the second round.

Rye’s Nathalie Rodilosso, a senior competing in the high school circuit after a two-year absence, beat Goshen’s Jane Bockman (Section 9) 6-1, 6-0 in the first round and the defeated Ward Melville’s Denise Lai (Section 11) 6-1, 6-3 in the second round.

SECTIONALS: Unseeded Rebecca Lim of Briarcliff wins Section 1 singles title

BRACKETS: Singles bracket for state championships

SECTIONALS: Ursuline’s Campos, Ciano win 2nd-straight Section 1 doubles title

BRACKETS: Doubles bracket for state championships

In the doubles bracket, Ursuline’s Vanessa Ciano and Laina Campos, the defending two-time Section 1 doubles champions and finalists in last year’s state tournament, defeated Manhasset’s Madline Clinton and Kyleigh Harmon (Section 8) 6-2, 6-0 in the second round after receiving a first-round bye.

Mamaroneck’s Katherine Orgielewicz and Juliette Nask also had a first-round bye. They defeated Oneida’s Lauren Skibitski and Brianna Laureti (Section 3) 6-4, 7-5 in the second round.

Clarkstown North’s Sydney Miller and Martyna Czarnik, the lone players from Rockland County in the tournament, defeated Seton Catholic’s Alina Galyon and Claire Loughlin (Section 4) 6-4, 6-4 in the second round after getting a first-round bye.

When play resumes in the second day of the tournament, Lim will play against Ferrante in one of the quarterfinal matches, a rematch of last week’s Section 1 championship match. On the other side of the singles bracket, Rodilosso will take on Oyster Bay’s Courtney Kowalsky of Section 8.

In the doubles bracket quarterfinals, Ciano and Campos will play Pittford Mendon’s Joyce Luo and Jess Bodewes of Section 5, Orgielewicz and Nask will play North Shore’s Olivia Scordo and Lucia Hu of Section 8, while Miller and Czarnik will play Fayetteville’s Katerina Atallah and Maggie Bonomo of Section 3.

The quarterfinals and semifinals of the state tournament will resume at Sound Shore Indoor Tennis at noon Sunday, with the finals taking place on Monday.

Twitter:  @Szkolar_Lohud

HIGH SCHOOL

FOOTBALL

lh logo: football

Thursday’s results

Lakeland 19, Byram Hills 0

John Jay 7, Hen Hud 6

Harrison 35, Tappan Zee 34 (OT)

Sleepy Hollow at Ossining, ppd., Friday, 4:30 p.m.

Friday’s results

Section 1 tournament

Class AA semifinals

Yorktown 66, Rye 42

Somers 42, Brewster 35

Class B semifinals

Pleasantville 26, Ardsley 0

Other games

Sleepy Hollow 25, Ossining 12

Port Chester 28, White Plains 14

Carmel 26, Spring Valley 6

Suffern 27, Nyack 0

Clarkstown North 20, Mamaroneck 0

Fox Lane 37, Ketcham 19

Eastchester at Panas, ppd. (7:30 p.m. Sat.)

Saturday’s results

Section 1 tournament

Class AA semifinals

New Rochelle 27, Clarkstown South 0

Scarsdale 41, Arlington 7

Class B semifinals

Westlake 35, Valhalla 3

Class C semifinals

Dobbs Ferry 42, Bronxville 28

Woodlands 32, Rye Neck 0

Other games

Mahopac 28, Mount Vernon 16

Briarcliff/Hamilton 35, Lincoln 6

Stepinac 41, Chaminade 17

Rye Country Day 37, St. Luke’s 6

Pearl River 43, Yonkers Montessori 0

Saunders 27, Riverside 20

Hackley 41, Montclair Kimberley 41

Irvington 2, Croton-Harmon 0

Stepinac 41, Chaminade 17

North Rockland 21, John Jay-EF 20

Pawling 42, Yonkers 0

Panas 30, Eastchester 13

Hudson River Football League

Yonkers Bowl at Saunders High School:

Gorton 39, Pelham 22

Class B bowls at Valhalla

Nanuet 36, Albertus Magnus 6

Putnam Valley 12, Blind Brook 0

Sunday’s game

Iona Prep at St. Francis Prep, 1 p.m.

Fusine Govaert is embraced by teammates, including KJ Langer (r) after scoring Rye’s first goal.

RYE – For one half during a Section 1 Class B semifinal on Saturday, the Rye and John Jay-Cross River field hockey teams played to a scoreless tie Saturday.

A slow, nervous start, the Rye coach and players would later say.

Kind of like the start of their season.

But just as their season has gone, the later it got, the better the Garnets played.

With four players scoring and KJ Langer and Lainie Agosta each recording three assists, second-seeded Rye beat No. 6 John Jay 4-0 in the Section 1 Class B semifinals.

Rye will face No. 1 Lakeland for the Class B title at Brewster High School on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.

The Garnets lost to Lakeland – which has won seven straight state championships — earlier this season, as well as in last year’s sectional final.

John Jay’s Haley Martinsen makes sliding save in first half. Photo from Oct 29, 2016;

But first-year Rye head coach Simon Hochstenbach doesn’t believe that means a thing.

“If we played them 10 times we would lose nine. But Tuesday’s going to be that one time. About that, I’m definitely sure,” he said.

“We’re making such an improvement,” Hochstenbach added.

That has translated to six consecutive shutouts.

The Garnets were stymied by Tara O’Reilly’s and Tess Goldrick’s tenacious defensive play in the first half.

But they wasted no time scoring in the second half.

“At halftime we realized our weaknesses and played with more intensity,” said Langer, a sophomore.

“It was a crazy game. Everyone expected we’d be up by at least one goal at the half but John Jay came in very pumped.,” Boston College-bound senior Fusine Govaert said, adding her team was also “mentally not there.”

Player of the game: But Govaert, who had numerous interceptions and a goal and an assist, looked like she was there from the opening seconds.

Turning point: After Govaert’s goal with 25:19 left, Rye dominated. Less than seven minutes later, after John Jay goalie Haley Martinsen’s remarkable dive-right, back-door right-hand save – Kate Stevens scored on a tip-in off a perfect Agosta cross pass.

Rye’s Kelly Ott dribbles ball in air as John Jay’s Tess Goldrick defends.

Stat line: With 14:41 left, Govaert rifled a shot off a penalty corner and Kelly Ott redirected it in.

With just under five minutes to play, Martinsen dove out to stop Govaert. But 30 seconds later, she couldn’t stop Alex Meyer, who batted in a high carom off of Lang’s shot.

Rye led in corners 7-2. Martinsen had five saves and Rye’s Maggie Devlin four.

Quotables: Martinsen, a four-year varsity member and senior who described playing her final game for John Jay as “so hard,” acknowledged the two halves were strikingly different.

“(At halftime,) we were just so proud we did it, (holding Rye scoreless). The second half I don’t think shows our talent.”

”At the beginning of the season we lost 12 seniors and people looked at us as underdogs for a long time,” Govaert said. “But we have come out strong every game and (that) showed again in the second half. … We got together mentally and physically and I think we really deserve this win.”

Twitter:  @HaggertyNancy

Goalie Haley Martinsen (in green) and other members of the John Jay field hockey team try to console each other after their semifinal loss to Rye.

Rye’s Taylor Volpe gets low to drive ball out of trouble.

Rye coach Simon Hochstenbach tells his players at halftime to play their normal game. He said, "We weren’t ourselves. We were a little nervous."

Girl playing field hockey (blurred motion)

Woodlands quarterback Amari Bilal, pictured during last year’s Class C championship game vs. Dobbs Ferry, will miss the rematch after he was ejected during the semifinal on Oct. 29, 2016.

Top-seeded Woodlands beat No. 4 Rye Neck 32-0 in Saturday’s Class C semifinals, but the Falcons will return to a fifth straight Section 1 final without their best player.

Senior quarterback/linebacker Amari Bilal was ejected midway through the first quarter for kicking a Rye Neck player while both were on the ground. The ejection will result in an automatic one-game suspension, which means Bilal will miss Friday’s 7 p.m. championship game against defending champ Dobbs Ferry at Mahopac High School.

Woodlands coach Mike Meade said Bilal had his ankle twisted at the bottom of the pile and believed the officials “totally blew the call.”

“There’s nothing we can do,” Meade said. “It’s a shame. Not only is he the best kid on the football field, but the nicest kid on the field.”

Bilal, who leads the team in passing and rushing, rushed for three touchdowns, threw another and recorded a team-high 11 tackles when Woodlands beat Dobbs Ferry 33-0 on Sept. 10. He had three carries for 53 yards and a score prior to the ejection on Saturday.

Aaron Robertson led the Falcons with 21 carries for 191 yards and three touchdowns. Danny Adair added 72 yards and a score.

Dobbs Ferry 42, Bronxville 28: In a Class C semifinal at No. 2 Dobbs Ferry, Najee Smith had 29 carries for 187 yards and four touchdowns. Jack Capuano added 18 carries for 94 yards and a score for the Eagles. Arman Cherian-Ashe led the defense with 12 tackles.

Pleasantville 26, Ardsley 0: In a Class B semifinal at Pace University on Friday, No. 1 Pleasantville pitched its fifth shutout of the season to improve to 8-0. The defense forced four turnovers, including Charlie McPhee’s interception that was returned 30 yards for a touchdown. Jack Howe threw a pair of touchdowns to Brian Reda, who caught four passes for 84 yards. Nick Salzarulo recorded nine tackles and had an interception and a forced fumble to lead the defense. The Panthers will play No. 2 Westlake at 3:30 p.m. Saturday for the Class B championship at Mahopac High School.

Gorton 39, Pelham 22: In the Yonkers Bowl, No. 1 Gorton won its third straight Hudson River Football League championship. Malik Jones had 21 carries for 114 yards and a touchdown and Jayden Lambert rushed for 81 yards and two scores. Robbie Hamilton also had two rushing touchdowns for the Wolves, who finished 9-0.

Hackley 41, Montclair Kimberley 40: At Montclair Kimberley, Winston Britton returned interceptions 99 and 65 yards for touchdowns. The latter provided the winning touchdown as Hackley (7-0) clinched an undefeated season and won the Metropolitan Independent Football League title. Will Cotter rushed for two touchdowns and threw another for the Hornets.

Saunders 27, Riverside 20: In the Hudson River Football League consolation at Gorton, Joshua Chambers ran for a touchdown and threw for another. DJ Lestagez threw two touchdowns as well for the Blue Devils.

Nanuet 36, Albertus Magnus 6: In a Class B consolation bowl at Valhalla, Umar Ajaz recorded five sacks and was named the game’s defensive MVP. Connor Breit had 150 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Jake Stein had three touchdowns.

Stepinac 41, Chaminade 17: At Chaminade, Michael Nicosia went 12 for 24 for 184 yards and three touchdowns, including two to Brandon Gasparre. Antonio Giannico had 17 carries for 111 yards and a touchdown. Shawn Harris (78-yard punt) and Devonte Myles (35-yard fumble) each had a return touchdown for the Crusaders, who will host Chaminade again in next week’s CHSFL quarterfinals.

Rye Country Day 37, St. Luke’s 6: At Rye Country Day, Evander Jackson threw a touchdown to Thomas Chai and had two sacks on defense. Hannes Boehning led the defense with 12 tackles and also scored two rushing touchdowns. Jared Jones contributed 165 all-purpose yards and scored a TD.

Friday’s highlights:Mike Lopez rushed 22 times for 130 yards and a touchdown as Sleepy Hollow won 25-12 at rival Ossining. The Headless Horseman have won five straight and now lead the all-time series 23-18-2. Sleepy Hollow’s Kevin Borden had six catches for 135 yards from Sean McCarthy, who went 14 for 23 for 273 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Borden also had an interception and Zack Frank recorded two sacks to lead the defense. … Eric Maurer rushed for 105 yards and a touchdown as Clarkstown North scored all of its points in the second half of a 20-0 win over visiting Mamaroneck. … Kyle Shilling went 11 for 13 for 193 yards and threw two touchdowns to Ian Hubertus in Carmel’s 26-6 defeat of Spring Valley. David Vega added 19 carries for 128 yards and a score. … Lucas Sommers rushed for two touchdowns as Suffern blanked visiting Nyack, 27-0.

Twitter:  @lohudinsider