Junior Ian Husselbeck with the ball earlier this season. (Darin Reed photo

Ian Husselbeck’s Overtime Goal the Game Winner

Junior Ian Husselbeck with the ball earlier this season. (Darin Reed photo)

September 21, 2021

The Huntington boys’ soccer team entered the week with a 4-1-1 record after six tough games. No opponent can be taken for granted since every squad on the schedule is capable of winning on any given day.

The Blue Devils play at home today (Tuesday) when they host Centereach (3-1-1) at 5:15 p.m. After dropping the season opener to Smithtown West, 1-0, Huntington hasn’t lost a game. The team’s tie came when it let a 3-0 lead slip away and allowed West Islip to score three unanswered second half goals.

At Bellport last Saturday morning, Huntington needed overtime to edge the Clippers. The Blue Devils weren’t at full strength, but the players that suited up gave everything they had to their teammates and head coach John Pagano.

After battling to a scoreless tie through the 40 minute first half, Enrrique Garcia put the ball in the net to give Huntington a 1-0 second half lead. Bellport eventually responded and sent the game into overtime, where another stalemate took shape.

The first overtime passed without either of the teams managing to score. But in the second frame, it was Huntington who finally ended it with an exclamation point.

With about four minutes remaining in the second overtime period, Garcia passed the ball to Ian Husselbeck who put it past Bellport’s goalie with about four minutes remaining to give the Blue Devils their fourth win of the season.

Huntington is captained by Roberto Contreras, Jose Flores and Daniel Rodrigo. The team has played well overall, but it has been inconsistent at times. Pagano hopes those inconsistent stretches dissipate over the next few weeks.

“The team has been playing good and we are going to keep getting better” senior forward Julio Martinez said.