Mount Sinai vies for state 'C' title

Mount Sinai makes its first trip upstate after defeating North Shore, 12-10, in Saturday’s Long Island Championship. Mt. Sinai (13-4) will face Section I champion Pearl River (16-4-1) in the state Class C semifinals at noon on Friday.

Mt. Sinai has survived scares in both of its playoff games despite five-goal leads in each. A 5-0 halftime lead over Bayport-Blue Point in the county final was cut down to one, at 6-5 and 7-6, but the Mustangs prevailed. It was déjà vu on Saturday when North Shore cut a 7-2 gap down to two with 4:26 to go.

“We make every game very interesting regardless of our lead,” Mt. Sinai coach Courtney Leonard said following Saturday’s win.

The Mustangs are a very young team but they have used their youth, speed and athleticism to their advantage so far. Rachel Dillon leads Mt. Sinai with 43 goals and eight assists, and Shannon Burns has been instrumental in the midfield on offense and defense. Young guns Shayna and Sydney Pirreca and Kasey Mitchell have played big roles in the two postseason wins. Goalie Julia Michaels has come up big in net for the Mustangs and will also play a key role as the Mustangs vie for their first state title.

Pearl River had three players who scored four goals in their 15-9 regional victory over Albany Academy. Kiera McMullan, Maddie Wilson and Allison Cook are Pearl River’s key offensive players and will quickly draw the attention of Mustang defenders.

Mt. Sinai is ranked No. 62 by LaxPower and Pearl River is No. 361

Should the Mustangs advance, they will face the winner of CBA-Syracuse and Marcus Whitman in the finals at noon on Saturday.