Kayleigh Bender can’t wait to return to the field and help her Blue Devil girls’ lacrosse teammates win games. The Huntington High School sophomore was in the midst of a breakout season when she was sidelined with an injury in the seventh game on the schedule. She’s hoping to return to action as soon as this week.
Through the first six games, Bender tallied 12 goals and three assists and became an essential part of the Blue Devil offense and critical to defensive efforts, too. Without her, Huntington has struggled at times. She’s that important to the team.
Huntington sophomore Kayleigh Bender.
The teenager notched three goals against both Commack and Half Hollow Hills and scored twice against William Floyd, Sachem North and Farmingdale.
Despite missing several games while she recovers from an injury sustained in a game at Patchogue-Medford, Bender is upbeat about her sophomore campaign.
“Lacrosse is going great,” she said. “I’m enjoying every second on and off the field with my teammates. The experience of learning from such knowledgeable coaches and players and playing alongside them is so special to me.”
The teenager is also excelling academically, earning a 102.6 grade average in the third quarter.
“This school year is going really well,” Bender said. “My challenging course load has taught me how important hard work is. Since school is back to normal, I’ve gotten the chance to form closer relationships with my teachers and classmates.”
