Blue Devils Win Season Opener at Farmingdale, 11-7

Freshman Bridget Callery scored four goals and senior Gianna Forte tallied three goals and an assist while the Huntington defense turned in a stellar performance to lift the Blue Devil varsity girls’ lacrosse team over host Farmingdale at Don Snyder Stadium on a wet and cold Saturday, 11-7.

Callery was magnificent, helping Huntington to take an early lead, which the Blue Devils never relinquished. The victory gave new head coach Katie Reilly the first varsity win of her career.

“I’m proud of the girls for today’s win,” Reilly said. “They ran the offense really well and the defense stepped up when we needed it. The girls played awesome together for stepping out there officially for the first time this season. Of course, we have things we need to work on, but it’s exciting to see all the talent and strengths that we can play to.”

Reilly was a crafty midfield playmaker during a playing career at Huntington. She graduated in 2016 with 126 goals and 178 assists and went on to captain Princeton University’s team. From her earliest days on the field, she embraced a philosophy that always put her team ahead of any personal statistics or honors.

“Team first; team chemistry is extremely important to me and I try to involve as many of my teammates in the game as possible,” Reilly told Inside Lacrosse magazine after verbally committing to Princeton. “The more people involved, the happier everyone is. In my opinion, nothing looks better than an assisted goal.”

That same philosophy has now carried over into Reilly’s coaching career. Even in the pouring rain, the Blue Devils moved the ball around the field. Senior Grace Agrillo had two goals and junior Kayleigh Bender and sophomore Devon St. John both scored a goal and added an assist. Eighth grade goalie Andie DiGioia got her first varsity start and was solid, recording six saves.

“I thought we played well,” Forte said. “Our defense was very good. Andie played very well in goal.”

Huntington took a 7-2 lead into halftime as dozens of Blue Devil fans shivered in the bleachers, hopeful the team would walk away from the season opener with a victory. It did.

While the offense clicked, it was the defense that earned plaudits all around for its inspired play. Senior Laurel Bonn and junior Reese Rinaldi both came up with huge ground balls in crucial situations. Freshman Isabella Palacios and eighth grader Ava McDonald also played “really well” the coach said.

“Today our defense stepped up for the team and our unselfishness led to multiple goal scorers on the offensive end,” Bender said. “It was truly the best I’ve ever seen our defense play. I’m proud of us that we got this first win and I’m feeling extremely hopeful and excited for the rest of the season.”

Any team’s defensive unit, regardless of the sport, often gets little fanfare, which usually goes to the goal scorers. But Reilly continues to instill in her players that everyone counts and the team will go nowhere unless everyone contributes.

“Our defense is looking really good and now we know what areas to improve on for the next game,” St. John said. “The energy and attitude of everyone was amazing despite the weather. Today’s win was a great way to kick-start the season.”

Reilly is strong-willed and strong-minded and can only be considered a true player’s coach. The team celebrated her first victory as head coach.

“This was an incredible game,” Bonn said. “Defense played lights out, causing turnovers, making saves and picking up ground balls. Transition was smooth and enabled us to finish on offense. It’s exciting to see us look so great so early in the season.”