Granito & Mitek Score to Put Huntington in Playoffs

Ella Granito and Caroline Mitek scored goals and Katie Cocoman stopped three shots to lift the Huntington field hockey team over William Floyd on Tuesday night, 2-1 and put the Blue Devils in the Suffolk playoffs.

Seventh seeded Huntington hosts No. 10 Connetquot on Friday at Blue Devil Stadium. The two teams played at Connetquot during the regular season with game on October 10 ending in a 1-1 stalemate. The contest was called early on account of darkness.

“The team is feeling confident heading into Friday’s playoff game against Connetquot,” Granito said. “We’ve been practicing hard, focusing on our offensive strategies and defensive coordination and fighting hard every game to get to this position. Since we previously tied Connetquot during the season, everyone’s in good spirits and we’re ready to play against even harder than before.”

Against William Floyd, Huntington scored both goals in the second period with Granito (10 goals) scoring off an assist from Mitek (6 goals; 8 assists) and Mitek scoring on an assist from Sophie Hoffman (3g; 3a). The Colonials kept the game close with a fourth period goal, but Cocoman (39 saves) held tough in goal for the Blue Devils.

The win improved Huntington’s record to 8-6-1. Against Connetquot, Huntington will also be looking to senior Charlotte Curtin, who with 16 points (8g; 8a) is among the Suffolk leaders in that statistical category.

Huntington will need its defense to be in top form against Connetquot. “I feel proud of our team for making it so far,” senior Alexandra Centrone said. “Coming off a tough season last fall, this win over William Floyd makes all of us seniors’ hard work over the past four years feel worth it. We might not have a large roster, but we are strong and ready to push our way through the playoffs.”

The Blue Devils respect Connetquot and know they are a well-coached and talented team. How can’t they after the 1-1 draw earlier this month. But players need to be confident and Huntington’s are.

“I think that we have a really good shot against Connetquot this Friday,” Curtin said. “I think it’s going to be a very tough game, but as a team we keep getting better. I’m very excited to see how we do.”

Sensational Blue Devil senior goalie Sophia Weiss is injured, but she’s just as involved as her teammates, attending practices and assisting with whatever she can.

“I am beyond excited that we get to play in the playoffs on Friday,” Weiss said. “Everyone has worked so hard to get here and I am so proud of all of my teammates.”