Tough Monday for Blue Devils
It was a tough Monday for Huntington High School athletic teams as both the Blue Devil boys' soccer and field hockey squads dropped Section XI playoff games by an identical 1-0 score.
The boys' soccer team had several chances in the first half but Kings Park goaltender Danny Stern made a series of magnificent leaping saves. The two teams were quick to the ball but both defenses played aggressively throughout the first half. A crowd of more than 300 attended the game, which was played at Breezy Park on West Rogues Path.
Kings Park (11-5) finally broke the scoreless tie when Matt Peixoto scored with about 24 minutes left in the game. The Blue Devils (10-7) tried several times to mount a final push for a goal but were continuously stymied. Ari Moskowitz recorded seven saves in goal for Huntington.
The loss ended the Blue Devils' season and players reacted as would be expected, consoling each other as they walked off the field. The Kingsmen now advance to the Suffolk Class AA quarterfinals against No. 1 Sachem East.
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The Huntington field hockey team never stopped working during its game against Lindenhurst at Blue Devil Stadium, but they could never put the ball past Bulldogs' goalie Olivia DiPalma, who made two saves.
Lindenhurst scored the game's only goal with about 15 minutes remaining in the first half. Both defenses interrupted each other's passing attacks and the flow of their offenses. Huntington (7-8) made a nice run in the last seven minutes, but Lindenhurst (9-7) wouldn't back down.
A crowd of about 125 watched the game on a splendid fall afternoon. Blue Devil goalie Maggie Lombardo stopped six shots to keep Huntington in the game until the final seconds. The loss ended the Blue Devils' season and sent Lindenhurst into the Section XI quarterfinals against No. 1 Sachem East.