Titans take home trophy for winning Guy Mathews tourney 3 years in a row
December 4, 2024 at 10:33 p.m.
The Rye Town-Harrison Titans won the Guy Mathews Thanksgiving Invitational tournament for the third consecutive year.
The team’s 2024-25 roster consists of players C.J. Stumpf, Nico Corvalan, Max Kulekofsky, Ethan Okun, Noah Lowenthal and Jackson Scala from Blind Brook High School; Billy Villanova, Nick Villanova and Messier Mollica from Port Chester High School; Alex Sabino, Isaac Schultz, Jack Mazella, Peter Boraczek, Zachary Davidson, Luke Schechter, Julian Gahr and Henry Murphy from Harrison High School; and Sean Mohr and Chris Miceli from Rye Neck High School.
The Titans’ season opener took place on Wednesday, Nov. 27 at Ebersole Ice Rink in White Plains, marking the highly anticipated start of the hockey season as they achieved a 9-1 victory over Cortlandt. The crowd was eager to watch the team take the ice, their infectious energy fueling the players’ motivation from the moment the puck dropped.
Julian Gahr (Harrison junior), MVP of the game, had an outstanding outing, leading the charge with a hat trick and adding one assist. Isaac Schultz (senior captain Harrison) also had a remarkable performance, contributing two goals and two assists. Jack Mazella (assistant junior captain Harrison) showed his playmaking ability by adding one goal and three assists. Peter Boraczek (Harrison junior) scored one goal and two assists. Nico Corvalan (Blind Brook sophomore), in a moment of personal achievement, scored his first varsity goal. Messier Mollica (Port Chester junior) found the back of the net, adding a goal to the scoreline.
Outstanding performances didn't end there. Sean Mohr (senior captain Rye Neck) helped facilitate many of the team’s goals with four assists. Noah Lowenthal (Blind Brook junior) picked up two assists. In net, C.J. Stumpf (Blind Brook senior) turned away nine shots to secure the victory, allowing just one goal. His performance helped keep the momentum firmly with the Titans throughout the game.
This season opener set a high standard, and with such a dominant win, the Titans are ready to build on this momentum as they continue their season.
Stumpf played an extraordinary game on Saturday, Nov. 30 against ETBE (Eastchester/Tuckahoe/Bronxville) at Ebersole Ice Rink, earning MVP honors for his performance. The Titans dominated the game, securing a commanding 4-0 victory, Stumpf finishing the game with a shutout and an impressive 25 saves. Every time ETBE attempted to test goalie Stumpf, he was there, tracking the puck, reading plays, and shutting down scoring opportunities.
The 2024-25 Rye Town/Harrison Titans pose with their Guy Mathews Thanksgiving Invitational Championship trophy after their 8-6 victory over Mt. Pleasant on Sunday, Dec. 1.By Alexandra Steiner
Gahr was once again a key contributor, scoring one goal and adding two assists. Mazella also had a standout game, contributing one goal and two assists. Mohr had a strong outing as well, scoring one goal and providing two assists. Schultz scored one goal and added one assist. Overall, the Titans’ 4-0 win was a comprehensive team effort, with Stumpf's shutout performance and contributions from players like Gahr, Mazella, Mohr, and Schultz leading the charge.
Cutting it close but ultimately securing the victory with a thrilling 8-6 score, the Titans triumphed over Mt. Pleasant on Sunday, Dec. 1 at Ebersole Ice Rink in a game that had fans on the edge of their seats from start to finish. The contest was a true test of the Titans’ resilience, skill, and depth, as they had to hold off a determined Mt. Pleasant team.
“Giving up six goals, we definitely need to do a better job defensively. It also seemed that we were doing a lot of puck chasing and abandoning our defensive responsibilities that led to a lot of offensive opportunities for the other team,” said Coach Rich Myers, “Our offense is flying right now, and they only expect that to get better the more they get used to playing together within our system.”
Despite a back-and-forth battle, the Titans managed to come out on top. Mazella was the star of the game, earning MVP honors for his performance, scoring four goals and adding one assist. Schultz contributed two goals and two assists. The Titans’ offensive attack was not limited to just Mazella and Schultz, there were contributions from every line. Alex Sabino (assistant senior captain Harrison) had a strong game, netting one goal and one assist, while Mohr also added one goal and one assist. Gahr, known for his playmaking ability, collected three assists, helping to set up several key goals for his teammates. Max Kulekofsky (Blind Brook junior) contributed two assists. Boraczek had one assist and Stumpf made 17 saves.
The Titans remained composed, using their collective skill and determination to finish strong and seal the 8-6 victory to continue their winning streak and take home the Guy Mathews Invitational Championship trophy.
“While we did walk out with three wins, there are definitely some things that need to be addressed. I would like to see our team be more physical,” Coach Myers said.
The Titans would next take on the Rivertown Legends on Tuesday, Dec. 3 at Playland Ice Casino. They will then face Byram Hills on Tuesday, Dec. 10 at Playland Ice Casino at 8:45 p.m. and Horace Greeley on Friday, Dec. 13 starting at 6:15 p.m. at Brewster Ice Arena.
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