The Huntington High School varsity field hockey threw a party on the field for seven special players on Senior Day. The careers of Anna Wickey, Holly Wright, Megan Byrnes, Maya Santa-Maria, Lauren LoScalzo, Maddy Kye and Brooke Biernacki were celebrated with touching posters affixed to the bleacher façade, anecdotes and warm words from coaches and teammates.
“It has been nothing but amazing,” Wright said. “I’m lucky enough to have been able to play on this varsity team for all four years of high school. In all my years of playing sports, this program, this team, these coaches are truly my absolute favorite. I have left every practice, every game, anything we do together, with the biggest smile on my face. To be a Blue Devil and be able to put on my jersey season after season is something you can’t even describe; it’s an unreal thing. This would not have been possible without our coaches. My mom is truly one of the best coaches Huntington has ever had and it has been such a privilege to have her as a coach. She’s truly one of a kind. Coach Conlon is someone who I know is always there for me. It was amazing to have had both of them coach me all these years.”
Coaches waxed poetic
Coaches Kathy Wright and Allison Conlon waxed poetic when speaking about the seven talented seniors who have meant so much to the Blue Devils.
“Playing field hockey at Huntington High School has been one of the most memorable and amazing experiences of my life,” Wickey said. “I am so beyond grateful to have been a part of this program. It helped me grow both as a player and a person. The friendships and the memories made on this team will last forever and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Thank you Huntington field hockey for an unforgettable five years.”
The seniors have all played key roles for the Blue Devils, with many winning post-season awards. Wickey plans to play at Temple University and Byrnes intends to suit-up at LIU Post. Several others will be played college lacrosse.
“Playing on this team was by far one of the best memories and experiences I have ever had,” Byrnes said. “It makes me so sad that I have to leave one of the happiest and most fun team I have ever been on.”
Huntington is in the midst of a very solid season. The team appears headed to the playoffs. The players and coaches hope that’s the case because they don’t want the year to end just yet.
“Being part of this team truly means you are part of a family,” Santa-Maria said. “These girls have become sisters to me. I’ve never loved a sport like field hockey. It truly has been something that I’ve looked forward to everyday in the fall for the past four years. We have grown so much as a program and we have truly made our mark. I’m so upset that my last field hockey games are coming up. I will always remember the memories that I made with all my lifelong friends as a Blue Devil field hockey player. But it’s not over yet. This is our year.”
“A happy place for me”
Each of the seniors had a designated job to do on the team and they all did it well. “For the last four years field hockey has been a happy place for me,” Biernacki said. “If I had a stressful day at school, my teammates would cheer me up. I’m so sad that the season is coming to an end, but also excited for playoffs.”
LoScalzo is in the midst of her best season ever. She has become an important offensive force for the Blue Devils. “Huntington field hockey truly is something else,” she said. “Not just the sport, but the people and the amount of love all the girls have for this team makes me proud and happy to have been a part of this family. Six years of playing as a Blue Devil have flown by and I never thought the end would come so quick. Knowing these incredible days and memories are almost over, can only make me thankful for being part of this team. I’m going to immensely miss spending every day with my sisters, but thinking back to all those great times with this team on and off the field, can only make me smile.”
Like her senior teammates, Kye wishes the season would never. “Being a part of this team was definitely a unique aspect of my high school experience,” she said. “Honestly, I just can’t believe that my final season is coming to an end. Not having a ‘next year’ has transformed this season into one where we, as a team, have just refused to back down. It’s a really special bond and although I’m upset that the season is nearly over, I know that I have made such unbreakable connections with my teammates that it isn’t over, really. As always, we’ll have each other’s backs.”
“They are Huntington’s best”
Coach Wright was emotional while discussing each of the seniors. She worked with them for many years and watched them grow into splendid players and fine young woman.
“Anna has exceptional stick skills that appear effortless as she glides over the turf and dodges one player after another,” Coach Wright said. “She is a leader and a role model. Her amazing field hockey skills has been noticed by all that watch our games. Her powerful drive moves the ball up the field towards the goal every game. Holly is relentless. She will never stop until the last whistle. Her voice leads our team. Her ability to play the ball and opposing players has helped us to win big games. She leads by example. Maya is a force to be reckoned with each game. She is fearless and strong on defense. Her skills grow stronger every game. Lauren plays gracefully with the ball as she moves up the field, but will finish strong on the post of the cage with a goal for us.”
Byrnes, Biernacki and Kye all earned plenty of praise, too. “Megan is a fast and powerful forward that moves the ball up the field toward the cage with determination to score,” Coach Wright said. “Her ability to get low and recover the ball has changed our game and allowed her to stop many goals. She leads the forward line. Brooke is a great sweeper who comes up with the ball time and time again right in front of the cage. She is so dependable on defense. She makes you feel safe when she is on the field. Maddy gives her all every time she is on the field. She has developed into a strong forward player.”
The seniors can’t believe that their time suiting up for Huntington is about to end. “It’s crazy to think that after four years of saying goodbye to seniors that now my team will be saying goodbye to me,” Holly Wright said “The future is so bright for these girls and I know every single one of them love this team as much as I do.”
Underclassmen stood nearby as the seniors were called out on the field one by one and posed for photos with their parents. Coach Wright got choked up talking about them. “This is an amazing group of seniors that have been a joy to coach,” she said. “They are Huntington’s best.”
