John Jay Headed to Section Finals Again

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After manhandling Nanuet on Saturday May 19, the field hockey team got down to business on Tuesday in the semifinals. “Somers has always been a rivalry,” said Shannon Nolan. “I think everyone on their team and our team knows that. So we wanted to compete like we always do.” No doubt they did but the rivalry again proved one sided.

John Jay jumped out to a 3-0 lead and mostly maintained control in a 14-7 victory that sent the girls to the finals.

The familiar script began right out of the box, and Coach Jess Martin wasn’t surprised by who got things started. “Mia is involved in every single hustle play,” said Martin, and the senior skied to snare the opening draw.

Putting the Wolves on the attack, Puccio is no stranger to applying her skill set either. She played give and go with Shannon Nolan, and the pass back put Puccio in front for a 1-0 lead at 23:36.

JoJo Degl then went airborne to control the next draw and finished the job at 22:09. A little misdirection, Kayla Shapiro moved away from the goal line, and her pass to Degl moving forward made for a 2-0 lead.

22:09 left in the half, both defenses kept the pressure on, and the teams exchanged turnovers for the next four minutes. That is until John Jay’s rock had her say. “She keeps everyone collected and when you see her calm, and you’re starting to freak out, she helps you recenter yourself,” said Nolan of Annabel Brennan.

So after Molly Gallagher got her stick on a point blank shot, Brennan was on the rebound, and John Jay was on their way again. She too finished the job and mostly went solo. After getting the flip from Puccio at the 15, Brennan split a sea of red, and the waters were plenty parted to beat the Somers goalie for a 3-0 lead with 17:14 remaining.

Of course, Somers came to play too, The Tuskers won the face, and Ryan Teagan scored on an assist from Molly Fink.

Under 17 minutes to go, the Wolves did not take kindly, and Puccio really took offense. She forced a steal on the sideline and took matters into her own hands when seeing only one defender in front of her. The senior put a move on and the rest of the defense was too late by the time Puccio faced down the net.

Brennan then tried to cool her teammate’s heels by scoring on the penalty shot at 13:55 but no such luck for Somers. Taking a pass from Degl, Puccio still found herself inside a stampede. No problem, the middie willed her way, and John Jay led 6-1.

Sydney Ingraham would break the three goal run nonetheless. So someone had to step up, and no surprise, Puccio gave the Tuskers the boot. She got the face-off on the bounce and was no sooner high stepping to the goal. She swung right this time, and after going around the pick, her overhand gave the Wolves a five goal lead at 8:30.

Even so, Lauren McCartin kept John Jay honest. She scored at 2:08, and going into the half, it was still a game. Even more so when Fink and Teagan made it an 8-5 game. But the sky was not the limit for Somers - especially when Puccio controls the airwaves.

Degl’s face off lofted in Puccio direction and the heavenly loft almost seemed fated. The ball elevated just over the defenders stick and into John Jay’s rabbit on the run. Somers probably knew better, though, and up the field, Puccio assisted Nicole DiNapoli to put momentum in its proper place, according to Martin. “Lacrosse is a game of runs,” said the coach, “we call that ‘an answer back’, and it’s all about keeping your composure.”

Too much for Somers to handle, John Jay scored the next six goals, and the Wolves were off to Nyack on Friday.