Huntington’s Carlos Gutierrez Leads Suffolk in Goals

Carlos Gutierrez notched a hat trick and goalkeeper Dylan Hayden was perfect in the net to lead the Huntington boys’ soccer team to a 3-0 victory over host West Islip. The Blue Devils are now 8-1-1 overall.

Gutierrez put Huntington ahead 1-0 with a first half goal and then scored twice in the second frame to put the game on ice. Bryan Lizama tallied two assists. Jonathan Morales also picked up an assist.

“I’m very happy to help the team get an important win and get us closer to our main goal of winning the county,” Gutierrez said. It was a nice feeling to beat this team after three years of losing to them.”

Huntington’s defense continues to play well. The victory was the Blue Devils’ sixth shutout. Junior Colin Lennon and seniors Dante Salgado and Jerson Contreras have all played leading roles in a defensive unit that has taken pride in shutting down opposing offenses.

Gutierrez’s 12 goals are the most in Suffolk this fall. His 14 total points (goals plus assists) are equaled only by Babylon’s Ciaran Stein. Lizama is also among the point leaders with five goals and three assists for eight points.

“West Islip is always a good team, but we are very good this season,” Lizama said. “Winning 3-0 at their home field felt amazing. Some of us including myself, took this game to a personal level. I haven’t beat them since my freshman year on varsity, which includes the 1-0 game in the county championship finals we lost two years ago. Winning against West Islip in the dominating way we did felt well deserved and not just for us, but for the coaches and former players whose seasons were cut short because of this team. Day by day we are improving both individually and collectively and I’m very honored to captain the team, hopefully achieving glory this season.”

Dominating the Lions was a confidence booster for the Blue Devils. “We started the game off slow, but once we picked up the intensity we were unstoppable tonight,” Salgado said.

Huntington takes the field again on Saturday against West Babylon at Blue Devil Stadium at 1 p.m. Games with Smithtown West (September 26), Bellport (October 3), Centereach (5 p.m.), Deer Park (5 p.m.) and West Islip (5 p.m.) will follow.