Blue Devil Girls’ Soccer Celebrates Senior Day

The Huntington varsity girls’ soccer team recognized five talented teenagers on Senior Day this week. Members of the group have given their all to the Blue Devils and left it all out on the field.

The seniors include Sophie Carlson, Jamie Garcia, Jenna Italiano, Devon St. John and Kaylee Smalling. Huntington head coach Jose Alfaro spoke about each of the seniors during a pre-game ceremony and assistant coach Vincent Tannazzo presented each of the players with flowers and a gift bag. The seniors were escorted out onto the field by their parents.

“In my first year wearing a Blue Devil soccer jersey as a freshman, I looked up to the seniors who worked so hard at every practice and in every game and their passion was contagious,” St. John said. “They were great leaders and even better teammates. Being a Blue Devil soccer player is trying to be a role model for underclassmen the same way those seniors were for me. I truly don’t know what I would do without soccer as it has shaped me as an athlete and as a person these past four years. Saying goodbye to this sport and this team will be hard, but I’m so grateful I got to be a part of it for my high school career and I’m excited to see how the team continues to grow in the coming years.”

Teammates of the seniors crammed photos on individual commemorative posters for each of them and hung the posters near the field. The Alumni Field bleachers were decorated, too. Public address announcer Karen Fischer served as the MC, introducing the Huntington and Northport teams and recognizing the 12 seniors on the Tigers’ roster. The day had a playoff atmosphere to it.

“For me, wearing a Blue Devil jersey was not just about joining a team, but also joining a family,” Garcia said. “Throughout the four years of playing I’ve made great friendships that will last me a lifetime. Being on the soccer team I’ve gained leadership skills and the ability to work well with others as a team.”

Huntington turned around its fortunes this fall, winning six games while putting a young lineup on the field. The leadership the five seniors brought to the Blue Devils this season will be missed.

“Throughout my four years of playing soccer, wearing a Blue Devil jersey means a lot,” Italiano said. “It is an honor to be handed that jersey and wear it. Once I step foot on the field I know that I am not just playing for my myself or my team, but I am playing for our entire Huntington community.”

Parents and players displayed emotion during the pre-game ceremony. A post-game party in the cafeteria added to the festive atmosphere surrounding the day.

“I feel lucky to have worn a Blue Devil soccer jersey all these years,” Carlson said. “The friendships and memories I have made are something I will cherish forever.”