Huntington JV Boys' Lax Nips
Rocky Point
The Huntington High School junior varsity boys' lacrosse team won its eighth consecutive game, nipping Rocky Point, 6-5 in a well-played game.
The 8-0 start to the season has the Blue Devils on "Cloud Nine." But, coaches and players aren't getting carried away. While expressing satisfaction with team's record, the group is taking nothing for granted.
"We need to keep practicing and playing hard," head coach Anthony Troffa said. "We can't look past anyone. Every game is a new challenge." Troffa is assisted by Jerome Merkerson and longtime volunteer Hutch Vanderschuyt.
Against Rocky Point, sophomore Mike Albini scored two goals. Nick Arleo Ben Kocis, John Mallouk and Chris Schoen also put the ball in the net. Sophomore Todd Colvin was magnificent in goal, stopping nine shots by the Eagles.
The Blue Devils were on top of their game, capitalizing with three successful man-up situations. Mallouk and sophomore John Vanderschuyt combined to record 10 face-off wins.
Huntington is facing a much more competitive landscape this year, with just about every game literally up-for-grabs. Against Rocky Point, the Blue Devils were forced to play catch-up after the Eagles grabbed an early 4-1 lead. But, Huntington outscored its opponent in the second half, 5-1 to lock-up a satisfying victory.
Many players contributed to keeping the Blue Devils in the game when it was starting to look bleak. Among them was sophomore Peter Goldsmith, known by some as a "human vacuum cleaner" for his ability to scoop up ground balls. Colvin played an exceptionally good game in goal in the face of Rocky Point's fierce offensive attack.
Huntington's coaching staff was perfect, too, with strategic time-outs and a bag of tricks complete with a "surprise" play. The team practiced the special play during the week and it worked several times.
The Blue Devils overcame a few obstacles. Pat Wolber and Kiernan McGovern were unavailable for the game. Albini and Chris Schoen were not at 100 percent, but nevertheless turned in outstanding efforts. Up-and-down the roster, players stepped up their level of play.
Arleo scored Huntington's first goal and Kocis later tied the game when he used a superb fake to put the ball past the goalie. Mallouk, Vanderschuyt, Josh Long, Jeremy Gelb and Ryan Casale were splendid patrolling the midfield.
Christian Jamison, Mark Curley, Matt Corcoran and John Cimetta shined on defense. After being severely tested in the first half, the unit effectively shut down the Eagles for most of the second half.
"This team is a classy, well disciplined lot that, as parent's, we have to be proud to be a part of," parent Bob Colvin said. "They all leave the field as clean, or cleaner, than when they arrived, [and] walk off in straight lines of two like a cohesive team should. They are an easy crew to be proud of."