Huntington’s Forte & St. John Help Upend Copiague, 6-1

Gianna Forte scored two goals and added two assists and Devon St. John also scored twice and tallied an assist to propel the Huntington varsity girls’ soccer team past visiting Copiague, 6-1 in a rare night game played at Manor Park in Huntington Station.

Forte played her best game of the year, blasting several strong shots off her powerful left foot. St. John continued her hot play this fall as the Blue Devils’ offense finally got untracked after being largely stymied in four earlier games.

Huntington jumped out to a 3-0 halftime lead. The crowd included Superintendent James W. Polansky, who stood along the sidelines with the players.

Hope Bilkey and Riley Murtagh also scored goals in the game. Huntington goalie Reese Rinaldi made four saves. Copiague goalies Tania Roberts and Tania Leilani both played well, combining to stop 21 shots.

After being frustrated in four early season games, everything finally came together for the Blue Devils. Head coach John Walsh utilized his entire roster in the game and everyone contributed in one way or another.

Huntington is in transition after graduating 13 seniors off last fall’s playoff team. That group included Analisse Batista, Katie Browne, Hanna Carlson, Teddi Carnesi, Makaylah Frazier, Edelyn Garcia, Ashley Genao, Evelyn Henriquez, Adrianna LoScalzo, Caroline O’Rourke, Emily Plachta, April Swanson and Eliza Walther.

Among the team’s starters are eighth grader Ava McDonald, freshmen Cameron Smith and Jolie Weinschreider and sophomore Devon St. John, along with several other underclassmen.