A come-from-behind 2-1 victory at Eastport-South Manor has the Huntington High School varsity field hockey team in the hunt for a spot in the Suffolk Division I playoffs.
Huntington rallied from a 1-0 halftime deficit with goals by Anna Wickey and Holly Wright. Julie Rogel was splendid in the cage, compiling 11 saves on the afternoon.
Wright scored early in the second half to knot the score at 1-1. Then it was Wickey’s turn and the senior came through with what proved to be the game-winner about halfway through the second half. Rogel and the Blue Devil defense made the one goal lead hold up.
“It was an unreal game,” said Wright, who has three goals and four assists this fall. “We worked so, so, so well together. It was a great game. We are in a perfect place for us to be in. It was amazing and we are on track for a huge end of the season.”
One of Suffolk’s best players, Wickey has given Temple University a verbal commitment to play on its NCAA Division I field hockey team next year. The teenager now has 10 goals and four assists this season.
“Honestly, I was nervous we weren’t going to make playoffs after our loss against Whitman,” Wickey said. “But after our tremendous win over ESM, we’ve bumped up to 11th place, putting us in a secure spot for playoffs. I am so beyond proud of our team for beating a team Huntington has never defeated before and I really believe we can win our tough upcoming games and make it to the playoffs.”
Huntington is pulling together closer than ever in its playoff drive. “I’m really pleased with how the team is playing and our win over Eastport-South Manor puts us in a good position in terms of making the playoffs,” said Megan Byrnes, who has tallied three goals and three assists this season. “We’re passing and seeing openings on the field that make it possible for us to score. I’m really proud of how everyone is being so selfless.”
Rogel has been strong in goal this fall, recording 77 saves and three shutouts. The goalie along with Brooke Biernacki and Maya Santa-Maria have been stalwarts defensively for the Blue Devils.
“This season has been a slow and hard one, but our game with Eastport-South Manor was insane and just what we needed,” said Lauren LoScalzo, who has six goals and an assist this year. “Going into the game as the underdog, we decided as a team to just go out there and have fun with it. An hour later, before we knew it, we were back in the playoff picture. The field hockey team’s spirits skyrocketed after our win against ESM, which has never been done before. Sadly coming to the end for myself and the other six seniors, the rest of the season just looks like time to make history and the best memories with my field hockey family.”
