The Huntington boys' lacrosse seniors and their coaches. (Darin Reed photo)
The Huntington boys' lacrosse seniors and their coaches. (Darin Reed photo)

Blue Devils Topple Commack on Senior Day, 14-10

April 30, 2024

The Huntington boys’ lacrosse team left no doubt on Senior Day at Blue Devil Stadium. The Blue Devils built a big lead and then held off Commack over the final 12 minutes to topple the Cougars, 14-10.

The Blue Devils topped Commack on Senior Day, 14-10. (Darin Reed photo.)

It was a thrilling performance on a very special day. Blue Devil Stadium was decked out in blue and white to honor seniors (in numerical uniform number order) Joseph Zink, Thomas Girimonti, Brian Hrybenko Patrick Knieriem, Cain Carney, Gradon Sosnowski, Jehu Ramsey, Thomas Breingan, Aidan Wheeler and Daniel McNulty.

Huntington jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the opening period and Commack seemed to never fully recover. The Blue Devils led 9-4 at halftime and 13-5 after three periods. The Cougars outscored the home team by a 5-1 margin over the final minutes.

Girimonti tallied three goals and four assists and Tommy Kline added three goals and an assist. Hrybenko also scored three times and Colon Lennon had a pair of goals. McNulty notched a goal and two assists and Timmy McDonald had a goal and an assist. Zink also scored in the game and Tommy Smith had an assist. Luca Cuozzo won 22-of-28 face-offs. Goalie Will Fallon recorded eight saves.

Following the game, there was an on-field ceremony led by head coach Julian Watts, who spoke about each player and then about the entire group of seniors, who were all escorted out to the field one-by-one by their parents.

“Playing for the Blue Devil lax team has meant the world to me, as I have been playing the sport of lacrosse for as long as I can remember,” McNulty said. “I am honored and forever grateful to wear a Huntington lacrosse jersey and I know that every time I put it on, it could be my last. I never take for granted being out on the field with my brothers and cherish every moment of it.”

A big post-game luncheon with hot and cold food choices was set up on the track near the field house for the players, coaches and family members.

“Playing for the Blue Devil lax team has been an honor and a privilege to say the least,” Girimonti said. “The program has sculpted me into who the person I am today in nothing but positive ways and the relationships I have created will last a lifetime.”

Almost all of the seniors have been in the program since first suiting up as seventh graders at J. Taylor Finley Middle School. Most have also been playing together on the club level, too.

“I’ve been playing lacrosse in Huntington since I was seven years old, so I take great pride in representing it and all it has to offer,” Zink said. “The lessons I’ve learned and mentors I’ve had while wearing a Blue Devil jersey have left an irreplaceable impact on both my character and my integrity.”

A few days later, Huntington turned in another strong performance at home, this time turning back a challenge from Smithtown East, 13-5

Girimonti scored six goals and McNulty had four goals and a pair of assists. Kline added two goals and two assists and Zink also scored and had an assist. Hrybenko assisted on four goals. Smith picked up two assists and McDonald also had an assist. Cuozzo was again spectacular in the face-off circle, winning 15-of-22. Fallon had nine saves.