By Zach Smart
Gabby Anderson has been tasked with stoning shots across Section I.
For four years, Anderson’s subscribed to the role of manipulating, influencing, changing, and altering the trajectory of shots from countless high-powered offenses.
Assuming the leadership role for Mahopac not only means backboning the defense, it means serving as the traffic cop—directing the flow following saves, helping clear the ball from defense to offense.
As a senior, Anderson has helped solve the chemistry experiment for a piecemeal group. She’s helped shape a youth movement into a veteran-loaded core.
During the Indians’ 10-6 win over Clarkstown South, Anderson collected 10 saves in the second consecutive win of the Indians’ recent 4-0 tear.
Anderson’s poise between-the-pipes helped preserve Mahopac’s dizzying 12-11 win over Lakeland-Panas. During that game, which always has extra juice for Mahopac, Anderson reeled in eight saves to pace the Indians.
It wasn’t until Mahopac’s pulsating13-12 win over White Plains that Anderson’s name was etched in the program’s history books.
The senior captain attained a new milestone against the Tigers, collecting her 500th save. It is a new high-water mark for a player that’s been through plenty knot-tight battles over the years.
A starter since her freshman season, Mahopac head coach Jim Lieto often pegs Anderson as the “cornerstone” of the defense.
While negating a “who’s who” of the area’s prolific scorers can be a tall order, her biggest accomplishment occurred off the field.
In the fall of 2011 Anderson was diagnosed with having a cyst in her ovary. It caused stomach pain and chronic fatigue. The situation exacerbated when the cyst became such a hindrance the doctors needed to prevent it from interfering with the ovaries.
And so the goalie who has prevented so many dodgers from knifing up Mahopac’s defense was forced to go under the knife herself. The surgery was successful, though doctors gave many warnings about prolonging her career in a sport that requires sacrificing the body.
With two months of rest, rehab, and perseverance, Anderson again assumed her starting role in net.
It’s been a tumultuous four-year ride for Anderson.
With Mahopac’s recent string of success, Anderson’s individual milestone, and the Indians’ knack for closing out tight games, Anderson will savor these final few games of a commendable four-year career.
