A group of talented seniors led the Huntington varsity girls’ soccer this fall. The Blue Devils tried desperately to overcome a series of injuries, but despite three one-goal victories that buoyed their hopes, the team was not able to amass the points needed for a post-season berth.
Coached by John Walsh and Vinny Tannazzo, Huntington was captained by Ryann Gaffney, Tara Wilson and Lauren McGlone. The highlight of the season came when the Blue Devils toppled defending county champion West Islip, 1-0.
Wilson starred on defense and was rewarded with All-Conference honors. “Tara was asked to do a lot of things that she was not used to doing and she handled it well,” Walsh said. “She plays hard and lets her effort speak for itself. She really doesn’t care about who gets the credit, she just wants the job to get done.”
Gulizio was the team’s goalkeeper and she played well, recording three shutouts en route to All-League recognition. The teenager was among Suffolk’s best in the net with more than 140 saves. “Anna is an aggressive, hardnosed player who give her teammates 100 percent,” Walsh said. “She is gritty and challenges opposing players on their way to the goal.”
Gaffney also captured All-League honors after giving the Blue Devils everything she had on offense. The teenager’s exceptional speed created many scoring opportunities for Huntington. “Ryann never gives up on a play,” Walsh said. “She outhustles the opposing defense and chases down balls that some might give up on. She has such an upbeat attitude and it was contagious.”
Erin Morrisroe was named to the Academic All-County team is recognition of her sensational classroom performance and her efforts on the field for the Blue Devils. “It was such a pleasure to have Erin on the team,” Walsh said. “She contributed every time she stepped on the field.”
Huntington opened the season by tying Walt Whitman in a non-league night game, 1-1. The Blue Devils then dropped four straight contests before winning three of their next four games.
In addition to the win over West Islip, Huntington also defeated Copiague twice (5-0 and 2-1) and Centereach (1-0). The Blue Devils lost close games to Newfield (1-0) and Smithtown East (2-1). The team compiled a 4-9-2 mark.
Huntington is saying goodbye to seniors Gaffney, Gulizio, McGlone, Morrisroe, Walsh, Shannon Maloney, Emma Petrizzi and Jolena Smith. The group was honored following the final home game of the season on Senior Day at Blue Devil Stadium.
“We are really going to miss Lauren, Emma, Shannon and Jolena,” Walsh said. “They have been such a big part of our program for so many years. They are really good kids and players and it was a lot of fun to work with them.”
Current underclassmen eligible to return next fall include Christina Aureliano, Megan Bacik, Grace Connell, Hailey Gallagher, Alexandra Lourenso, Nicole Muszynski, Cathryn Ricciardelli, Katie Seccafico, Alyssa Sorensen, Marissa Stafford and Amber Stieve.
