The Huntington junior varsity girls’ soccer team toppled visiting West Islip for the first time in memory on Tuesday, 3-1. Adrianna LoScalzo scored twice and Abby Baade also put the ball in the net. The victory improved the Blue Devils’ record to 8-1-2 this fall.
LoScalzo leads the team with eight goals. Baade is second in scoring with six goals. Caroline O’Rourke has a team-best six assists.
Huntington head coach Maria Canino praised the play of April Swanson. “She’s our outside midfielder who literally sets everything up,” Canino said. “She has two goals and four assists. Hope Bilkey literally keeps us in every game as our sweeper. And our goalie Ashely Genao is totally helping us. She must have over 40 saves on the season.”
The Blue Devils have outscored their opponents by a 38-8 margin. LoScalzo, Swanson and Eliza Walther are Huntington’s captains.
“I have to say that this team has definitely come together well,” Canino said. “I feel like every win is a team win. They are supportive of each other; they are willing to work hard and they never give up. We’ve dealt with playing a wide range of teams and some injuries, yet through it all they always stay together, stay positive and continue to come out on top. I'm very proud of them.”
The Huntington JV hosts Comsewogue on Friday at 4 p.m. The Blue Devils have dedicated the contest to Kicks for Cancer, which seeks to eradicate the dreaded disease.
Aidan Heller Sharp at Invitational Race
Aidan Heller and Charles Siepel turned in standout performances last weekend at the Suffolk Officials Cross Country Invitational at Sunken Meadow State Park.
Heller finished the 5K (3.1 miles) race in 18:44.59, which was good for 29th place in a field of 164 from across Long Island and New York City. The junior’s mile pace with 6:02. “This was the team’s first 5k and Aidan said he had more in the tank and could run faster,” said Mark Jackson, Huntington’s head coach. “He wanted to set the pace early for the team and he did. He helped set pace for three other athletes to go under the 20 minute mark in the race.”
Junior Andrew McKenzie (49th; 19:21.00), senior Jason Verville (61st; 19:35.85) and freshman Matteo Armstrong (69th; 19:40.27) all broke the 20 minute barrier. “Matt was disappointed because he had fell during the race,” Jackson said. “The team was short by three seconds to make the state qualifier meet, but they’re eager to qualify at our next invitational.”
Heller was generally pleased with his performance. “It was our first 5K at Sunken Meadow this season,” he said. “Sunken Meadow is known as one of the hardest courses in the country. A lot of us were not feeling great, whether it because of body tear or just generally sick, but either way we did almost qualify for state qualifier, which is a plus.”
Siepel placed 15th in a field of 88 in the freshman 1.5 mile race. The teenager went wire to wire in 8:58.05 for a mile pace of 5:58.70.
Pat Sclafani Wins Conference I Golf Championship
Huntington senior Pat Sclafani won the Section XI Conference I individual golf championship on Tuesday at Rock Hill Golf and Country Club in Manorville. The teenager shot a 76 to lead the field of 66 golfers.
The Blue Devils finished third in the team standings and all six Huntington golfers qualified for the Section XI championships.
Sclafani was golden throughout the day, hitting long drives, routinely finding the green with his iron shots and dropping almost all of his putts.
“I came to play today,” Sclafani said. “Every aspect of my game was working and I was very consistent. After finishing the front nine with a 2 over 37, I was confident that I could do the same on the back end. Hopefully I can play as well in the county championships two weeks from now. But now it’s time for the team and myself to focus on the playoffs.”
Junior Jack Giamo was also among the top finishers, shooting a 79 to place fourth. Blue Devils Joe Sclafani, John Lourenso, Kyle Colleluori and Jack Monahan also qualified for the county championships.
Huntington is coached by Michael Marinello.
Nasir Youngblood Enjoys Great Season
Ask Huntington High School junior Nasir Youngblood about the great stats he’s been posting and the Blue Devil football team’s star running back is quick to credit all of his teammates who block for him and open the holes he so swiftly runs through.
“I feel like I have been doing okay,” Youngblood said. “I make mistakes from time to time and I know I can fix them and that’s what I’m working on. I truly feel like I can do better and I’m going to keep working and working until I get better.”
Youngblood is fourth in rushing yardage in Suffolk and tied for second in touchdowns. He has carried the ball 73 times for 739 yards and 12 touchdowns. His 10.1 yards per carry average is exceptional, to say the least.
“I feel like I am ready for every game,” Youngblood said. “I feel that my coaching staff really does a great job preparing me and the whole team for our games. What I do to get prepared is to practice. I go to practice every day. I never miss a day. I stay focused, listen and just run that ball.”
H-ton JV Girls’ Volleyball Stays Competitive
The Huntington junior varsity girls’ volleyball team has been competitive this fall. The squad is coached by Carrie Postel and consists of 16 players.
The roster includes freshmen Megan Donaghy, Lauren Gennarelli, Sarah Krisch and Haileigh Smith; sophomores Madelyn Bavaro, Cassidy Casabona, Caroline Gorecki, Alexis Kaloudis, Sofia Marchetta, Hannah Roberts, Francesca Stamatatos, Grace Stolfa and Sophia Toscano and junior Adora Colay.
JV team leaders include:
Megan Donaghy (outside hitter): Leads in aces, kills
Lauren Gennarelli (outside hitter): Leads in kills
Caroline Gorecki (setter): Leads in assists
Sophia Toscano (setter): Also a contributor in assists
Francesca Stamatatos (middle hitter): Leads in blocks and kills
Grace Stolfa (libero-defensive specialist): Leads in digs. “She is an amazing passer,” Postel said.
Sofia Marchetta (libero-defensive specialist): “She also plays defense well,” the coach said.
“This is a very talented team and I hope to improve our record next year,” Postel said.
Owen Husselbeck Paces Huntington Boys’ Soccer Win
Owen Husselbeck notched a pair of goals and an assist to lead the Huntington varsity boys’ soccer team to a 6-0 shutout of visiting Copiague on Friday afternoon.
Huntington opened a 3-0 halftime lead and then added three second half goals to clinch the victory. Jasson Garay, Benton Cueto, Brian Contreras and Debyi Jimenez also scored for the Blue Devils. Jahmeer Sallet had two assists. Manny Reyes and Jose Flores also picked up assists. Goalies Cole Pillion and Nick Thompson had one save each.
Huntington is coached by John Pagano and Jason Suarez.
Cat Jamison Returns to the Court
Cat Jamison is back on the court and the Huntington varsity girls’ volleyball team is winning again. The Blue Devils topped Half Hollow Hills East last Friday night, coming from behind to win the final two games, 25-20 and 27-25.
Jamison has been sidelined for several weeks, but her return has helped Huntington turn around its fortunes. The Blue Devils dropped the first game against Hills East, 25-15 before rallying to win the second game, 25-19.
Hills East gained the upper hand by taking the third game, 25-20. Then Huntington stormed back, winning games four and five to capture the match.
Jamison had 22 kills, 13 digs and three aces. Shannon Kehoe tallied 34 assists, five aces and one kill. Maddie Reed had nine kills and three blocks. Marina Durand added eight kills and six digs.
Huntington is coached by Lauren Visbal.
