Blue Devil Field Hockey Wins on
Senior Day
On the final day of the season the Huntington High School field hockey team shined. The Blue Devils staked out an early lead and toppled visiting West Babylon on Senior Day, 4-1.
On their special day, seniors scored all four of Huntington’s goals. Emma DeGennaro was the first Blue Devil to find the back of the cage. Irina DeSimone and Meghan Plant each followed with goals to give the team a 3-1 halftime lead.
DeSimone added another goal in the second half to give Huntington an insurmountable three goal advantage. The Blue Devil defense clamped down hard from there and the team rode out the clock to notch a satisfying victory.
The game was preceded by a ceremony that saw Huntington’s seniors honored for their contributions to the program. The seniors include DeGennaro, DeSimone and Plant, Sarah Fernandez, Kelsey Jamison, Victoria Martin, Kelly Palladino, Jaclyn Schultz and Cara Sorrentino. Members of the group were given flowers and escorted onto the field by their parents.
“It was a great game to end off on my senior year,” DeSimone said. “I am disappointed we didn’t make it to the playoffs, but everyone who stepped on the field today played their hardest. I am really going to miss the coaches and the team next year. We have become so close this season. Although I’m sad it’s over, I know the team will do great things for years to come.”
DeSimone added an assist to her two goal performance in her final high school game. Liz Berejka also assisted on a goal. Goalkeeper Cara Sorrentino stopped eight shots to surpass the 100 save mark for the season, much to the delight of the crowd. West Babylon goalie Allison Gernavage made seven saves on tough Huntington shots.
Coached by Kathy Wright and Marissa Bergmann Kaplan, Huntington finished 7-7 in Suffolk Division II and 7-8 overall. The loss dropped West Babylon to 5-9 in league play and 6-10 overall.
Although the Blue Devils won the game, the seniors that were appearing in Huntington field hockey uniforms for the final time experienced a range of emotions.
“I thought it was a bittersweet day,” Plant said. “It was my last time on the Huntington turf as a field hockey player with some great girls. Our game felt a little slow at first, but after we got into our groove, we played great. I’m so happy that we had a great season and a terrific game.”
DeGennaro, who turned in a sensational senior season, felt good when the final horn sounded. “The Senior Day game went extremely well,” the teenager said. “I was so glad I got to end my last game with a win and play with my best friends that I’ve made over the past few years. I am sad that it is over, but thankful for all the great games and memories.”
Once the two teams shook hands in the end of game ritual and a final round of photos were snapped, players and their parents gathered near the Blue Devil Stadium fieldhouse for refreshments as the season wrapped up.