The Huntington girls’ lacrosse team dodged raindrops and Longwood’s defense to topple the Lions on Senior Day at Blue Devil Stadium, 11-4.
The teams engaged in a close battle throughout the first half. Huntington led 5-4 at halftime, but then scored six unanswered goals in the second half to lockdown the victory.
Abby Maichin had three goals and an assist. Jordan Forte also tallied three goals. Paige Lennon scored two goals and added an assist. Marissa Stafford also scored twice. Alyssa Sorensen had a goal and two assists. Charlotte Maggio added an assist. Maya Santa-Maria was splendid in goal, stopping eight shots.
“I think when we finally started to move the ball around and settle down into our offense we found each other and the back of the net,” Stafford said. “We dominated on the draw and stayed positive throughout the whole game.”
Maichin has been on a tear lately. With seven games remaining in the regular season the junior has 23 goals and six assists. Since her freshman year the teenager has scored 127 goals and added 35 assists.
“I we figured out how to play as a team and how to use each player we have to their potential,” Maichin said. “I am extremely excited for the rest of our season and to see where it takes us.”
Maichin and Stafford have teamed up in recent games to form a devastating and successful draw control combo, winning time after time. Maichin gets the ball into the air headed toward her teammate and Stafford seems to snatch it every time.
Huntington’s hustling midfield was once again marvelous, scooping up ground balls to gain possession.
Emily Plachta and Julia Steinberg have been racing all over the field and it is paying dividends for Huntington. Sorensen is both a scoring threat and a playmaker with great passing skills. Lennon is another midfield standout who scores, sets up others and also plays great defense.
Holly Wright and Megan Agrillo have been superb on defense and Santa-Maria is one of the best in the county in goal, stopping blistering shots. Wright is gritty and strong and Agrillo seems to always sense where the next pass is going while her footwork and transition play is fun to watch.
“The game was amazing,” said Santa-Maria after Huntington had outlasted Longwood. “We played as a team and we worked so hard to get that win.”
Forte has also been coming on strong. The sophomore has tallied 13 goals and six assists so far this season and she was productive again against Longwood. “I think the key to winning was taking our time on offense and seeing the perfect pass instead of rushing it,” she said. “I also think keeping our composure was important.”
Entering this week, the Blue Devils have league games remaining with Smithtown East, William Floyd, Brentwood, Middle Country, North Babylon and Copiague and a night game at Sachem East to conclude the regular season.
Senior Day Ceremony Has Special Trio
A post-game ceremony honored three special seniors who will be graduating in June after many years in the program. Maire Brown, Paige Lennon and Alyssa Sorensen were all recognized by head coach Beth Vogelsang, assistant coaches Vincent Tannazzo and Carli Clementi and their teammates.
Coach Vogelsang spoke individually about each of the seniors and what they have meant to the Blue Devils over the years. Parents joined the players on the running track for the ceremony. Each of the teenagers was given monogramed bath towels with their initials and the Blue Devil logo along with “Seniors 2019” and bouquets of blue and white flowers.
“Playing lacrosse for Huntington has meant so much to me the past four years because I know I have a family on and off the field,” Brown said. “It’s been such a learning experience since the first time I started playing at the high school in eighth grade. Throughout the years I’ve made so many unforgettable memories and created bonds with so many of my teammates.”
Teammates of the seniors created commemorative photo collage posters and affixed them to the Blue Devil Stadium façade. The posters celebrated the careers and high school years of each of the seniors.
“I’m very grateful to have been given the opportunity to play lacrosse for Huntington,” Sorensen said. “It has made me stronger and more determined to achieve things in the future.”
Vogelsang read off a list of the attributes of each of the seniors as submitted by their teammates. Although it was drizzling, the ceremony was a touching tribute.
"Huntington lacrosse has been a very big part of my life; a second family," Lennon said. "Playing for this team has been such a wonderful opportunity."
