Mount Sinai rolls to girls state lacrosse crown

CORTLAND, N.Y. — It’s safe to say that the Mount Sinai girls lacrosse team is a dynasty, and one with enviable staying power.

Meaghan Tyrrell, a junior, had five goals and three assists and each of the team’s eight seniors made significant contributions in breaking open a four-goal game with a 10-1 run en route to a 15-4 win over Honeoye Falls-Lima in Saturday’s state Class C championship at SUNY Cortland.

It’s Mt. Sinai’s third straight title and fourth in five years.

“It’s really hard to describe,” Tyrrell said. “You work so hard all season, and every team across New York is working for this, and then being able to get there three times rather than one, it’s just something unbelievable.”

The Mustangs asserted their dominance in two games at Cortland, outscoring opponents 31-5.

Generally a defense-first team, Mt. Sinai (18-2) benefitted from an offense that was both relentless and efficient. The Mustangs scored 15 times on 18 shots on goal, showcasing how much their shooters have improved throughout the season.

“They’ve been working really hard on the shots and their plays,” said senior defender Emily Vengilio. “They really stepped up this weekend and took pressure off the defense.”

SEE PHOTOSState Class C girls lacrosse final: Mt. Sinai vs. Honeoye Falls-Lima

The offense took charge early, jumping out to leads of 5-0 and 9-2. After Maria Villanti netted a free position for Honeoye Falls-Lima (11-10), Camryn Harloff (three goals, one assist) converted a feed from the eight-meter by Tyrrell for a 10-3 lead with 18 seconds left before halftime.

That sparked a 6-0 run that put the game out of reach at 15-3. Tyrrell’s goal with 23:26 left in the game started the running clock that comes with a 10-goal advantage.

“We don’t let anything in our heads. We don’t pay attention to the scoreboard at all,” said senior Leah Nonnenmann, who had two goals. “We play our game and just take it one goal at a time.”

Seniors Rayna Sabella (three goals, two assists) and Veronica Venezia (two goals) also contributed. The team’s defenders were appreciative.

“They took a lot of stress off us,” said senior Haley Dillon. “Usually they put all the weight on us, but today we put all the weight on them.”

That’s not to say the defense needed to saving by the offense. Led by goalie Hannah Van Middelem, a senior who has been on each of Mt. Sinai’s four title teams, the defense limited Honeoye Falls to few opportunities.

Van Middelem praised the offense and said her five years on varsity will be something she’ll cherish.

“It’s honestly just incredible, just all the teammates that I’ve played with,” she said. “Always when people ask me how high school was, I’ll always come back to this experience.”

Mt. Sinai showed its balance all tournament, showcasing its strength in each facet of the game.

“They really put it away early, and that’s what we wanted to do,” Vengilio said of the offense. “We wanted to get some of our bench in because a moment like this doesn’t always happen.”

It happens more for Mt. Sinai than for others.