The Huntington High School girls’ junior varsity lacrosse team came awfully close to perfection this spring, compiling a 13-1-1 record.
Coached by Shea Scully and Chiara Maimone, the 19 player squad was captained by freshman midfield Kailey Rappel. The Blue Devils won their final 10 games of the season.
“Every player on the team had something to contribute to our success this season,” said Scully, Huntington’s head coach. “By working together every game we were able to compile a great record.”
In addition to Rappel, the roster also included eighth graders Grace Agrillo, Kaci McDonald, Meg Morrisroe, Emma O’Brien, Vanessa Salmon and Erin Scanlon; freshmen Makaylh Frazier, Emily Geller, Caroline Gorecki, Sophie Laserson, Tallulah Pitti, Ainsley Proctor, Leda Roldan, Regan Sansiviero and Grace Stolfa; sophomores Isabella DiBenedetto, Gianna Prosseda and Riley Zink.
“Our ability to work together as a team this season paid off immensely,” Geller said. “Each team member contributed to our overall success. No matter what, our team played as a family, even in our toughest games. I think we really proved ourselves this season. I could not be more grateful to be a part of this team.”
Huntington claimed victories over Smithtown West (13-4), Farmingdale (14-5), Sachem North (13-6), Half Hollow Hills (15-5), Walt Whitman (13-6), Longwood (11-2), Smithtown East (11-1), William Floyd (14-2), Brentwood (8-1), Middle Country (14-3), North Babylon (12-1), Copiague (7-0) and Sachem East (14-4). The Blue Devil JV tied Riverhead, 8-8 and was nipped by Northport (6-5).
Scully said the team’s top players included Rappel and fellow midfielders Agrillo and Sansiviero along with Morrisroe, who starred at attack.
Huntington displayed a remarkable ability to put the ball in the cage, but the Blue Devils’ defense also shined. The team played with confidence, but never took anything for granted. Everyone played hard when they were on the field and were they were more concerned with the team succeeding than with their own personal stats.
Scully and Maimone pushed their players in practices and games and saw everyone on the team improve by leaps and bounds. Several of the teenagers will surely get called up to the varsity next spring, but those who have another JV season ahead with make Huntington that much better in 2020.
Scoring 11 goals are more in 11 of the 15 games is a remarkable feat. But limiting opponents to five goals or less in 11 of the 15 games is equally exceptional.
Scully sees good times ahead and so do the players who are already talking about next spring.
