Devon St. John’s Three Goals Pace Blue Devils

Trailing 4-0 early in the first half, the Huntington varsity girls’ soccer team staged an improbable rally as the Blue Devils battled visiting Lindenhurst to a 5-5 tie in a mandatory non-league game on Monday afternoon at Alumni Field.

Lindenhurst’s offense was firing on all cylinders early, pumping in four quick goals that appeared impossible overcome, but Huntington did just that, fighting back one goal at a time.

The Bulldogs (5-1-5) led 4-1 at halftime, but the Blue Devils (6-4-2) staged a furious rally that was especially impressive considering Huntington’s young roster.

Devon St. John scored three goals and assisted on another to lead the Blue Devils. Emma Barch and Bella Duke also scored in the game. Madyn Kalb picked up an assist. Huntington goalkeepers Brianna Purcell and Wynne Franciscovich combined to make five saves. Lindenhurst goalie Natalia Pacholska stopped 10 shots.

St. John is having an exceptional season. Her 19 goals are the most in Suffolk, three more than No. 2 Jenna Biondo of North Babylon who has scored 16. St. John’s 22 points are second in the county to Biondo’s 24.

“I’m just savoring the last moments I have with this team and working as hard as I can,” St. John said. “I love this sport so much and I want to make my final soccer season as a Blue Devil as long and as memorable as possible. I’m so proud of how far we’ve come as a team.”

Huntington is striving to reach the playoffs. The Blue Devils will hold their annual Senior Day celebration at Alumni Field on October 22 when they host Northport on the last day of the regular season.