It was a must-win game and the Blue Devils got it done as the Huntington boys’ soccer team took down powerful Northport in two overtimes, 3-2.
Huntington took a 1-0 halftime lead, but Northport rallied in the second half. With the score knotted at 2-2 through regulation and the first overtime and well into the second extra frame, Carlos Reyes finally broke the deadlock when he scored off of an assist by Jasson Garay with 2:34 remaining.
Garay and Carmine DeIeso also scored for the Blue Devils. Reyes and Jose Flores added assists. Huntington goalie Cole Pillion made five saves.
The victory improved Huntington’s overall record to 7-2-1 (4-2-1 in league play) and dropped Northport to 6-3/5-2.
Garay leads the Blue Devils in scoring with eight goals and five assists through 10 games. “I’m very happy with the result today,” he said after the game. “We still have things we can work on. I’m not really focused on where we are in the standings, but I’m confident we will end up in a good spot. We try to focus day by day.”
Reyes’ heroics give him four goals and a pair of assists this season. The game today was very close,” he said. “Everyone was giving it their all,” he said. “I’m very proud of everyone for pulling through to the end. This game was very important to us. With this win, we have a chance for the title. The team just has to stay focused and keep working hard.”
The Blue Devils knew what was on the line when they took the field. A loss would have really stung. “It was a very tough and physical game,” DeIeso said. “It was a must win and we got it done. Now our chances for winning the league are realistic again and we will do everything to win it.”
Huntington players knew what was on the line and played hard. “Today’s game was a battle,” Manny Reyes said. “It was a close game, but in the end we worked hard together and pulled through. It was a great win.”
The Blue Devils have regular season games remaining with Newfield, Half Hollow Hills East, Copiague, Centereach, Smithtown West and Northport.
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Huntington boys’ soccer alum Jeremy Gelb was at the game. He is rebounding nicely from a serious neck injury he sustained while vacationing in the Montauk surf. His recovery to date has been nothing short of miraculous.
A member of Huntington’s Class of 2014, the former Blue Devil soccer captain addressed this season’s players following the thrilling win over Northport.
