Field hockey: Greco leads Scarsdale to Section 1 Class A crown with hat trick

SHRUB OAK — They had played once before this season.

Low score.

High drama.

Saturday at Lakeland High School, the Section 1 Class A faceoff between top-seed Scarsdale and No. 2 Mamaroneck topped even that game for drama.

Greco, who twice knotted the score after Mamaroneck went up 1-0, then 2-1, blasted home a shot three minutes and 15 seconds into a 7-on-7 overtime to lift Scarsdale to a 3-2 win for the championship title.

What it means

The Raider victory avenged its 2-0 section final loss to Mamaroneck last year when Scarsdale entered the game undefeated.

Player of the game

Top player honors went, of course, to Greco, the speedy forward, who'll play both field hockey and lacrosse for Union College next year. She noted her favorite goal wasn't her OT winner. Instead, it was her second goal, which tied the score at two with just 5:34 left in regulation.

And for good reason.

Greco broke loose and went through two Mamaroneck players and straight in, 1-on-0, on Tiger keeper Daniela Maresca. Maresca flew out to try to stop her but Greco beat her low.

By the numbers

Scarsdale (13-4-1) — Greco's first goal, tying the game 1-1, came off a rebound with 9:31 left in the third quarter on a Scarsdale corner created by MaryJane Callahan, who had a terrific game, both offensively and defensively. That included making a defensive save off a hard, bouncing shot to keep the score at 1-0 Mamaroneck late in the first quarter. Samantha Hoexter had the assist on Greco's game-winning rocket with a beautiful crossing pass. Scarsdale had a 7-3 penalty-corner advantage. Raider goalie Gabriella Lopez had five saves.

Mamaroneck (15-3) — Lizzie Astorina, a senior and four-year varsity member, scored both Tiger goals. Scarsdale dominated the first several minutes of the game. During its first trip into Scarsdale territory, Mamaroneck created a penalty corner and Astorina scored off an Olivia Tennant assist with 8:36 left in the first quarter. Her second goal, which broke a 1-1 tie, came off her hard reverse with 3:46 left in the third quarter on a corner and with Ruby Pearson assisting. Lily Margoshes and Astorina both had strong defensive games. Margoshes intercepted a pass down low in overtime. Maresca was credited with three saves.

The post-season battle:Field hockey: 2022 Section 1 playoff seedings and schedule

Who has won:Field hockey: 2022 Section 1 tournament schedule, scores and recaps

Regular-season showdown:With dramatic win over Mamaroneck, is Scarsdale the area's top team?

They said it

Mamaroneck coach Trish Miller indicated while the winning goal came in overtime, the Tigers effectively lost in regulation, allowing Scarsdale to come back twice.

"We let down ... We didn't play a full 60 minutes. ... In a championship game, when you're playing a team that is good, it comes down to heart and playing 60 minutes," she said.

Scarsdale coach Lauren Barton was confident her team would win when the game went to overtime.

"7-v-7, I think we're one of the best. I think the heart of our team is those seven," Barton said.

"I think both teams played amazing," Astorina said. "There was a lot of energy. We always love playing them. But sometimes it doesn't go your way."

"I can't wait to see what these girls do next year," she added.

"It's amazing," Greco said of the win.

Up next

Scarsdale will play the winner of Section 2 in a state regional final at 10:30 a.m. next Sunday at Mahopac High School.

Nancy Haggerty covers cross-country, track & field, field hockey, skiing, ice hockey, girls lacrosse and other sporting events for The Journal News/lohud. Follow her on Twitter at both @HaggertyNancy and at @LoHudHockey.

And taking center stage was Scarsdale senior Maddie Greco.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Section 1 field hockey: Maddie Greco leads Scarsdale to title