Falling just short of a post-season berth most certainly stung, but the Huntington High School varsity girls’ lacrosse team has already moved past the disappointment and is looking ahead to next spring.
Captained by senior Paige Lennon and juniors Abby Maichin, Holly Wright and Maya Santa-Maria, the team compiled a 7-7 mark in Suffolk Division I and went 7-9 overall. After losing its first six games, the squad went 7-3 over its final 10 contests.
Coached by Beth Vogelsang, Vincent Tannazzo and Carli Clementi, the Blue Devil squad included many talented players. “Our team was extremely positive despite many losses in the beginning of the season against tough teams,” said Vogelsang, Huntington’s first year head coach.
Among the six consecutive defeats were one goal losses to Farmingdale (8-7) and Sachem North (7-6).
“They kept their heads high and never lost focus on the big goal,” Vogelsang said. “We are lucky to have some of Huntington’s strongest athletes as well as amazing all-around individuals. If we can gain more experience in the off-season and keep our motivation strong, big things will happen for us next year.”
Maichin and Santa-Maria captured All-County honors. Lennon earned All-County Honorable Mention recognition. Wright, Megan Agrillo and Marissa Stafford were all named All-Division. Jordan Forte was Huntington’s Unsung Hero Award recipient.
Abby Maichin
Maichin tallied 46 goals and 24 assists, 10 draw controls, 10 groundballs and six caused turnovers at attack. “Abby has one of the best shots in Suffolk,” Vogelsang said. “Her ability to find the back of the cage is outstanding. She has a high game IQ and great field sense. She’s been a crucial team member for Huntington for the past three years and her passion for the game consistently shows on and off the field.”
The junior has scored 150 goals and added 53 assists over the past three varsity seasons. “Our team relies on Abby as a captain and she always comes up big for us in tough games,” Vogelsang said. “Abby continues to grow and test her limits on the field.”
“This season was a learning experience for everyone on the team, including myself,” Maichin said. “We were able to develop lacrosse relationships and connections that will further help us next spring.”
Maichin has verbally committed to play lacrosse at Notre Dame. She has plans for a busy summer, much of it focused on the sport she loves.
“This summer is my last year with my Yellow Jackets club team and we will be competing in several tournaments together before we go our separate ways,” Maichin said. “I will also be attending camp at Notre Dame and participating in the committed games in Lake Placid where we will play against other universities and their commits. Finally, I will be attending the committed academy, a three day camp where future teammates are able to create bonds and play together before hitting the college level.”
Maya Santa-Maria
Santa-Maria has continued Huntington’s tradition of producing top-of-the-line goalkeepers. The junior stopped 116 shots this past spring, compiling a 53 percent save percentage.
“Maya is a dedicated player who loves the challenges associated with being a goalie,” Vogelsang said. “With her work ethic, skill in and out of the cage and ability to communicate with her teammates, she has developed a true sense of leadership on and off the field. The girls fully trust Maya to make a difficult save; make a successful clear to any point on the field and orchestrate the defense. Her energy, as well as her fun-loving personality are such important components of our team chemistry. We love Maya’s big personality.”
Santa-Maria has given a verbal commitment to play lacrosse at the University of Michigan.
“The season was a great one for our team,” Santa-Maria said. “We worked extra hard to get ahead of the competition. Our team got extremely close and it became a family. We are going to miss our seniors on and off the field.
The teenager will be playing lacrosse this summer, but is also looking forward to some down time. “I’m playing my last summer with my travel lacrosse team, the Long Island Yellow Jackets,” Santa Maria said. “After that I’m just going to be hanging out and relaxing with my friends. Toward the end of the summer, I will be going with my family on a two week vacation to Hawaii for the third time, which I am very, very excited about.”
Paige Lennon
Lennon notched 23 goals and eight assists along with 27 draw controls, 14 ground balls and 17 caused turnovers from her midfield position.
“The year went great,” Lennon said. “The beginning of the season was a little shaky, but the middle is when we really got it together. We worked really well together and had great chemistry. At one point we were even beating Middle Country. We really pulled it together towards the end and it was such a great last experience.”
The senior is headed to the United States Military Academy at West Point where she has been recruited to play on the lacrosse team.
“Paige has been such a strong leader these past four years on the varsity,” Vogelsang said. “She is honorable and committed to every task she’s given. Paige graduating really hits home for me because I started my lacrosse coaching journey in Huntington with her on the team. She was there from the start and has always managed to be a ‘rock’ of a player. Not only will I miss Paige as a player, but I will miss her amazing character. West Point is lucky to have such a strong person.”
Holly Wright
Wright was a standout on defense for the Blue Devils. She also tallied three draw controls, eight ground balls, seven caused turnovers and even scored a goal.
“Holly has been a true leader on our team for three years now,” Vogelsang said. “Her positivity is contagious along with her strong voice on defense. Holly is critical to the low defensive unit and our players rely on her to learn and grow. The team is fully confident in Holly to pick up the best players on opposing teams. Her ability to shut down a one vs. one is like an art. She’s bold and is such a strong force on the field.”
Wright has given a verbal commitment to play lacrosse at SUNY College at Cortland.
“This season was a growing year for us,” Wright said. “I think our biggest growth as a team was learning how to work together. We have a group of girls that are amazing. As a team, we were strong and learned everyone’s strengths and weakness and grew from there. Overall, I think this season was a great one. Our three seniors will be missed. I am really excited for next year; excited to be a senior and excited to see how far this team can go. We didn’t have an ending we were hoping for, but I’m proud of everyone.”
Megan Agrillo
Agrillo excelled as a defensive specialist, displaying a rugged style of play. She also scooped up 12 ground balls, caused 11 turnovers and took one draw control.
“Although she was coming off an injury she suffered last year, Megan came into this season stronger than ever,” Vogelsang said. “Her defensive skills and her voice, body positioning and desire are just a few of the many important elements she brings to the table. Megan was given many difficult tasks this year, such as guarding the opposing team’s best player. She had no fear and was able to shut any girl down. Her special abilities are screening passes, communication, defensive footwork and IQ. I fully trust Megan’s leadership down on low defense.”
Agrillo has given Sacred Heart University in Connecticut a verbal commitment to play lacrosse for the college.
“I thought the season was super fun and I was super happy with how I played after coming back from my injury,” Agrillo said
Marissa Stafford
Stafford starred at midfield and defense. She had 10 goals, seven assists, 27 draw controls, 14 ground balls and three caused turnovers.
“I think our team has a ton of potential,” Stafford said. “We have a really young team so the experience we gained from this year is going to really drive us forward to many wins next year.”
The junior has verbally committed to play lacrosse at Cornell University.
“She’s one of our most determined girls in the draw circle and she’ll fight for every ground ball as well as jump and grab the ball in the air,” Vogelsang said. “What’s great about Marissa is that she can literally play anywhere on the field. Offensively, she’s chippy with great game IQ. Marissa may not have many stats offensively, however her game IQ allows her to create and coordinate the plays for other players. Marissa will make space, set screens and do the ‘dirty’ work. Defensively, I can always depend on her with proper slides, body positioning, game knowledge, communication and grit.”
Jordan Forte
An outstanding midfielder, Forte enjoyed a fine season, scoring 22 goals and adding eight assists. The sophomore took 28 draw controls, picked up 23 ground balls and she caused 10 turnovers.
“Her hard work, drive, courage and dedication are only a few characteristics that describe Jordan and her game,” Vogelsang said. “Jordan is our rock; our brick wall and workhorse. She’s the type of player who comes off the field as if she just went through a battle. Win or lose, Jordan’s goggles are pushed to the side, ponytail’s a mess, sweat dripping and always ready to listen to what the next orders will be on the ‘battlefield.’ She is our all-around gritty lacrosse girl. Successful in draws, fighting for every ground ball and scoring goals. We appreciate Jordan’s strong work ethic and are excited to have her for another two years.”
Many valuable players
The Blue Devils had many valuable players, including a long list of top notch underclassmen. One of the departing seniors who will be missed along with Lennon and Maire Brown is Alyssa Sorensen.
Sorensen missed all of last season with an injury, but she returned this past spring to score six goals and tally 19 assists. “Alyssa persevered through difficult times and came back as a senior more motivated than ever,” Vogelsang said. “She stepped up big-time for the team and filled a position as the low attacker, tallying the second most assists. We are very thankful for Alyssa’s spark and hard work this season.”
The Blue Devils’ roster also included eighth graders Laurel Bonn and Gianna Forte; freshmen Katie Browne, Gretel Cassell and Emily Plachta; sophomores Alexa Amorison, Marina Durand, Julia Gorecki, Charlotte Maggio, Lisa Martin and Julia Steinberg and juniors Lena Annunziata, Emily Cheshire and Caroline Hartough. Juniors Megan O’Brien and Mia Redick were the Blue Devils’ managers/scorekeepers. Everyone contributed something to the team.
“We are only graduating three seniors,” Vogelsang said. “We have many returning starters with a big incoming senior class. We developed a great base this year thanks to our seniors coming up big. The coaching staff is confident that we will improve a ton next year with this really strong group.”
