A strong group of core players paced the Huntington junior varsity girls’ soccer team this fall. The 17 player squad was captained by Jenna Italiano and Sophie Carlson and coached by high school physical education teacher Maria Canino.
Midfield Emma Boyle led Huntington with four goals and two assists. Carlson, a talented forward, added three goals. Italiano, who tallied a pair of assists and Cecilena Monge Moreira and Ruby Baliber were key players on defense.
Goalkeeper Wynne Franciscovich “really kept us in a lot of games with both routine and big saves,” Canino said.
Huntington captured a pair of shutouts during the season, topping Bay Shore and Copiague by identical 4-0 scores
“The defense absolutely ran the field for us and kept us in so many games,” Canino said. “With Wynne in goal, Cecilena as sweeper, Jenna as stopper, Ruby and Gisselle [Salmeron] on the wings, I had confidence every game they would take care of us in the back. They played smart using an off-sides trap and played with confidence doing their best to keep the ball out of the box. Emma was someone we could count on to be a playmaker. She has a great cross and we could always count on her to feed the ball in. Sophie did great on attack and was one of our leading scorers.”
The highlight of the season came against powerful Commack. “It was undoubtedly the best game we played all season,” Canino said. “Even though we lost 1-0, it was this game where things really started to come together for this team. They played hard and really grew into themselves that day.”
Players bonded and they were able to rely on and trust each other. “This team was a pleasure on and off the field,” Canino said. “From practices and games to team bonding days to volunteering and the 9/11 Heroes Run, I enjoyed them all around and they truly made me proud each step of the way. This team has such a great bond and really stuck together and I am so proud of them for that.”
The Blue Devils were outplayed in several games, but their coach is still happy with how her players performed. “Overall, this was a great season,” Canino said. “Our record may not show that, but this group of girls is special. They are willing to work hard, push out of their comfort zone to grow physically and emotionally and they really had each other’s backs. I have such respect for this group of girls and am looking forward to their future in this program.”