Seeded third in the county playoff bracket, the Huntington High School boys’ soccer team was upset on its home field as West Islip topped the Blue Devils in sudden death overtime, 2-1.
It marked the second consecutive year that Huntington has been upset in the Suffolk playoffs on a very rainy afternoon. The Blue Devils fell to East Islip in overtime last season. This year’s loss hurt even more.
Huntington head coach John Pagano was bundled up for the game. (Darin Reed photo.)
Huntington had cruised past West Islip (7-5-2) seven days earlier, 4-1. So when the Blue Devils repeatedly failed to convert numerous scoring opportunities it was a cause for concern.
The teams battled to a scoreless tie through 69 minutes until West Islip’s Jack Dellipizzi finally put a shot past Huntington goalkeeper Daniel Rodrigo.
Huntington (13-2) immediately feared that West Islip would slow down the game’s tempo and run out the clock, but a mere two minutes later when Jeison Blanco drilled the ball into the corner of the net off an assist from Julio Martinez.
The score stayed 1-1 through the end of the second half sending the game into overtime.
As the rain picked up strength again, Huntington had a few opportunities to score before West Islip’s offense went on the attack. In a flurry of action, Vincent Grieco put a shot past Rodrigo about four minutes into sudden death to stun the Blue Devils.
Rodrigo had five saves in the game. West Islip goalie Lucas Iacono turned in a great performance with eight saves, including several on blistering shots.
The Blue Devils walked off the field in disbelief while the Lions celebrated their good fortune.
Huntington will be graduating many of its best players, but it has a solid nucleus of returnees to build around. The Blue Devils are already shaking off the loss and looking ahead to next fall. Practices will begin on August 30.
