Nine players who have meant so much to the Huntington High School boys’ lacrosse program over the years were celebrated by their coaches, teammates and family members on Senior Day at Blue Devil Stadium.
Torin Bograd, Aidan Bonn, Alex Fascilla, Liam Hassett, Jack Krisch, Ethan McGuinness, Trevan Meagher, Joseph O’Connell and Steve Queen were lauded for their commitment to the program and to making it one of the best in Suffolk.
Coaches Julian Watts, Andrew Gutierrez and Patrick Reilly gathered on the field after defeating South Fork (a combination of five East End high schools on one team), 13-5 to recognize the seniors individually as their teammates stood nearby and family members watched from a distance.
“Huntington lacrosse is a very special part of my life,” Fascilla said. “I have played lacrosse in Huntington since I was in elementary school. I have created great friends and have had coaches that have taught me the game and have elevated my game to be able to play in college.”
Despite the limitations placed on the event due to the COVID-19 pandemic, parents and coaches still tried to make the event special for the seniors.
“Huntington lacrosse has been a truly special part of my life,” Bonn said. “I have been able to form bonds with my teammates that will last a lifetime. It has been an amazing 13 years.”
Blue Devil boys’ lacrosse Senior Day is an annual event steeped in tradition that has been held for decades.
“It’s meant a lot being here since I was a freshman,” Hassett said. “I learned so much these past years from older guys and met some of my best friends. I’ll never forget playing lacrosse at Huntington.”
Many of the players plan to continue their career in college. They will all be heading off in different directions after the graduate later this month.
“Playing for the Huntington lacrosse team has been something special that I will never forget,” Krisch said. “The program really goes beyond playing on the field. We’re a family. I’ll remember everyone I’ve played with because we push ourselves not just to be better players, but better people.”
The Blue Devil boys’ lacrosse team won its first league championship in 1960. Huntington won county titles in 1961, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1971, 1973, 1975, 2005, 2006 and 2007.
These past 12 years, Blue Devil lacrosse has built the work ethic that I have today,” Queen said. “Being a part of this team has always shown me that no matter what, you can work harder. I love the culture we have developed and wouldn’t trade the four last years of high school lacrosse for the world.”
Huntington boys’ lacrosse captured Long Island titles in 1965, 1975, 2005, 2006 and 2007 and state crowns in 2005 and 2006.
“Huntington lacrosse is like family,” Meagher said. “Since my freshman year I have been welcomed with open arms by the entire program and team.”
Regardless of where they might go in the future, the seniors will always remember their time together played for the Blue Devil lacrosse team.
“I never thought to play lacrosse until I got to Huntington,” O’Connell said. “But when I got here my friends introduced me to the sport and I loved it. Huntington is a huge lacrosse town; everybody played it and I had never heard of it before. I wasn’t the best on the team, but I was a team player. It is so much fun to run around, pass and shoot with your friends. Blue Devil lacrosse is so much more than just a sports team. We are all a family. Everybody is always willing to help each other out with rides or with pointers to help you improve your game. I have made so many new friends and teammates throughout the years. And I have made bonds with my teammates to last a lifetime. This is what Blue Devil lacrosse means to me.”
Bograd is currently sidelined with an injury, but is nevertheless a major part of the Blue Devil squad. The teenager is headed to play lacrosse at SUNY Geneseo and like his teammates, will never forget his time in a Blue Devil uniform.
“Being able to play lacrosse for the Blue Devils has been awesome,” Bograd said. “There’s nothing like the Huntington tradition and culture that has been created for so long in this program. It is something I will always remember and look back at in the future. It’s going to be a sad day when it is all over, but being a Huntington lacrosse alum will be an honor.”
