Pirreca plays well despite sprained ankle

CORTLAND, N.Y. -- Sydney Pirreca missed four days of practice this week after she sprained her left ankle and foot during Mount Sinai's win over North Shore in the Long Island Class C championship. When Pirreca practiced with the Mustangs on Thursday she aggravated the injury but nothing was going to keep the speedy midfielder from playing in Friday's state semifinal against Pearl River.

"I was really on the edge but I knew I had to pull through," Pirreca said. "During the game I didn't even think about it. I had so much adrenaline running in me and I knew I had to do it.

"I knew that I was going to tough it out from the beginning. Even if I was hurt I was going to play because my team needed me."

Such machismo and bravado is typical for a more seasoned athlete, perhaps a senior captain, but Pirreca is an eighth-grader. Her determination to play through an injury which affected her speed was not lost on her coach.

"She was hurting today and Sydney is probably one of, if not the toughest, player we have. I wasn't worried about her fighting through it today," Mt. Sinai coach Courtney Leonard said. "I think her mental toughness is what put her through the physical pain. Toward the end of the game she came limping off and it shows how much pain she's in. She's such a workhorse and wants it so badly she's able to overcome it."

Pirreca scored two goals and added an assist in Friday's 16-7 win for Mt. Sinai in the Class C semifinal. More impressively, Pirreca appeared no worse for the wear as she blew past several Pearl River defenders throughout the game.