MTA Mountain Lions

Miracle On Hard Court: MTA Lions Defeat
Top-Seeded Cobras

By Ezra Wildes

On Tuesday night, the MTA Lions tennis team came to the courts determined to win their last match of the season. After previous setbacks, they were motivated to do whatever it would take to battle their opponent, Kushner. As MTA arrived at the courts, they watched in fear as the all-star Kushner team practiced with incredible force and perfection. However, the Lions were motivated to defy all odds by their inspirational coach, Eli Gerwitz.

As the sun began to set, the matches commenced. Tension filled the air as the various matches picked up in intensity. With sweat pouring from his beard, Josh Zyskind aced his opponent and knocked him down with his wicked strikes. Ezra Wildes strategically battled the flaws of his opponent to take the lead and win his match. Eli Gruenberg sliced his way to victory throughout an intense and remarkable match. And Josh Hamburger and Yossi Mandelbaum flawlessly left Kushner with their jaws dropped, winning a total shutout (10—0). Through the tremendous effort and skill of the entire team, MTA managed to defeat Kushner 5—0 in a grueling match that truly depicted the will and talent of the MTA tennis team. It was a true David-and-Goliath victory for MTA, resulting in an incredible end of the season.

 

MTA Lions Defeat Hillel Heat In Softball Quarterfinals

By Akiva Richman

This past Friday, MTA’s JV softball team faced off against the Hillel Heat in the quarterfinals. MTA had lost to Hillel in the regular season 7—0, but the result of the playoff game was different. As the away team, the Lions started off the game with three straight hits by Eitan Warburg, Coby Sorotzkin, and Gabe Isaacs. With the bases loaded, Daniel Landa hit a 2-RBI double to give MTA an early lead. Hillel tied the game in the bottom of the inning with a two-run home run, but MTA regained the lead in the second inning. Coby Sorotzkin hit a 2-RBI triple, and Gabe Isaacs hit a single to score Sorotzkin. Then, in the fourth inning, the Lions scored seven runs, led by Daniel Landa’s three-run homer. Later in the game, one of Hillel’s players hit a ball to shallow right field. Ephraim Landa ran out from second base and made an amazing over-the-shoulder grab. Eitan Pfieffer pitched for MTA and ended two innings on strikeouts, as the Lions won the game 12—5.

 

MTA Mountain Lions
MTA Mountain Lions

MTA Mountain Lions Conquer Beaufort Mountain

On Friday, May 27, the MTA Mountain Lions had their final hike of the year, a strenuous and exciting hike up Beaufort Mountain to Surprise Lake. The hike, located in Abram Hewitt State Forest along the New York/New Jersey border, is one of the most spectacular in the New York metropolitan area. It includes fabulous vistas over Greenwood Lake, as well as fascinating “puddingstone” rock formations and interesting plants and animals. On the way back, the trail joins the Appalachian Trail for a few hundred feet, which gives a hiker the chance to dream of “thru-hiking” the entire 2,000-mile route, from Georgia to Maine.

Just past the summit, they encountered Surprise Lake, where they took a refreshing dip and cooled off from the hot ascent. They also enjoyed a hot-dog barbecue, with food provided by Yosef Kurlantzick. While on the Appalachian Trail, the group met an eastern milk snake, commonly confused with the eastern rattlesnake. Fortunately, the eastern milk snake is not venomous, and was not interested in approaching, but it did have an impressive pattern.

 

MAY JV champs
MAY JV champs

JV Basketball Champions–Again!

Congratulations to the junior varsity basketball team of Mesivta Ateres Yaakov on their championship victory over Yeshiva Heichal HaTorah of Teaneck. The well-attended game, which was held at Lawrence Middle School last week, was a competitive yet menschlich ending to an amazing season.

MAY would like to express its gratitude to Irv Bader, Judah Rhine, and the entire Young Israel Basketball Program for organizing and overseeing an amazing season.

A special yasher ko’ach goes to second-time championship-winning coach Josh Friedman (2012) for his tireless and herculean efforts in leading this team to this milestone.

 

HANC champions 2016
HANC champions 2016

HANC Varsity Soccer Team Captures 2016 MYHSAL Championship

A magical season came to a glorious conclusion on June 9, as the HANC Hurricanes claimed the 2016 MYSHAL Soccer Championship by defeating the SAR Sting.

In an epic championship game, under “blackout” conditions (HANC fans dressed in black), the Hurricanes scored a dramatic 4—3 victory behind stellar goal-tending from Yoni Goldenberg, a hat trick (3 goals) by Meir Levy, and a clutch goal with only 17 seconds left by Yonatan Gazal. It was an absolutely thrilling game and the fan support was simply amazing.

The game got off to a rocky start as SAR scored the first goal two seconds into the game. Things settled down quickly as the HANC defense, led by Daniel Levy and Yonatan Gazal, regained their composure and their trademark tenacity. Midway through the second quarter, HANC scored the equalizer on a beautiful goal from lead scorer Meir Levy. The score remained tied until the third quarter when Meir added two more goals only minutes apart, thereby scoring a natural hat trick. However, as HANC seemed to be settling things down and transitioning towards a more defensive game, the Sting came buzzing back with two quick goals less than one minute apart to tie the game at three.

The final five minutes were nail-biting and heart-palpitating as both teams exchanged scoring chances only to be turned away by superior goaltending on both ends. Finally, with 17 seconds left, the ball shot out of the SAR corner and the hard-charging Yonatan Gazal found the ball in front of him with only the goalie to beat. As if shot out of a cannon, the ball exploded off of Yonatan’s foot and found the top left corner of the SAR net, giving HANC the 4—3 lead which they never relinquished.

Major credit for this undefeated championship season is due to head coach Scott Kump as he skillfully prepared the team and calmly created a winning culture.

A big thank-you goes out to the many fans–students, parents, teachers, and board members–who came out to support the Hurricanes. The cheering and high-octane energy propelled the Hurricanes to achieve their dream of an undefeated championship season.

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