The Huntington High School varsity boys’ soccer team celebrated its ten seniors during a pre-game ceremony and post-game dinner on the field this week. Sandwiched between the ceremony and dinner was an exciting contest against visiting Copiague. The Blue Devils nipped the Eagles, 1-0 on a goal by Jeison Blanco.
Head coach John Pagano introduced each of the ten seniors, who were accompanied by their respective parents to midfield. A yellow rose was presented to each mother by assistant coach Jason Suarez.
The ten Blue Devil soccer seniors are all warriors for their team
The seniors included Daniel Alzate Rodrigo, Justin Villatoro, Roberto Contreras, Jeison Blanco, Christian Avelar, Jose Flores, Julio Martinez, Liam Lennon, Matt Lange and Max Rentsch.
The group has helped propel the Blue Devils to near the top of the Suffolk soccer rankings this fall. Huntington closed out the regular season with a 12-3-1 record. The team expects to host a home playoff game early next week.
Pagano said the seniors have given the program everything they have, playing hard for their teammates and school and helping to keep Huntington’s program among the county’s best.
Parents decorated the bleachers with balloons while beautiful individual banners emblazoned with each player’s name and uniform number were affixed to the bleacher façade. A post game party in and near the field house featured a variety of tasty food choices that the hungry players enjoyed.
The game itself saw the teams engage in a scoreless battle through the 40 minute first half. It wasn’t until Blanco scored off an assist from Kevin Velez ten minutes into the second half that the deadlock was broken by Huntington.
Rodrigo’s four saves earned the goalkeeper the shutout on the windy and cold day. Copiague goalie Josue Saravia Chavez stopped eight shots to keep the score close.
The Blue Devil players and coaches don’t want the season to end anytime soon. Everyone hopes Huntington finds success in the post-season and pushes deep into the playoffs.