Blue Devil Girls’ Lacrosse Celebrates Seniors
May 7, 2024
The Huntington girls’ lacrosse team celebrated Stephanie Chavez-Menjivar, Reese Rinaldi and Kayleigh Bender on Senior Day at Blue Devil Stadium with speeches and gifts presented during a pre-game ceremony.
The bleachers were decorated in blue and white and colorful posters packed with photos were affixed to the facade. An impressive post-game buffet dinner allowed the festivities to continue into the evening.
Huntington head coach spoke about each of the seniors, who were escorted onto the field by their parents and family members.
Chavez-Menjivar was saluted for being the epitome of a team player. “I’ve coached her in basketball and in lacrosse and she is someone who has a great work ethic,” Reilly said. “She is a rock star defender and put the team first and geared up as goalie for this year and last year’s JV teams.”
Rinaldi has been an essential component of the Blue Devil defense for many years. “She captains our defense and quite literally has the other defenders’ back,” Reilly said. “She is an energy source for our team and currently leads the team in caused turnovers this season. She’s good for multiple ground balls a game and has also intercepted passes multiple times throughout this year.”
Named All-Division last spring, Rinaldi is treasurer of the senior class and secretary of the school-wide student government as well as holding executive positions with Huntington’s National Honor Society and Science Honor Society chapters. An award winning photographer who also plays on Huntington’s varsity soccer and basketball teams, the teenager plans to attend the University of Georgia.
Bender is headed to Hofstra University to play on its NCAA Division I lacrosse team. She has also played on the Blue Devil varsity girls’ basketball team.
“Kayleigh is one of the most caring players on our team,” Reilly told the crowd. “She surpassed her 100th point early on this year. It’s been an absolute pleasure to watch her shine in her moment. She’s a lethal shooter and feeder and redefends with fierce intensity.”
An All-County honorable mention and All-Tournament honoree as a junior, Bender is having another successful season.
Once the pre-game festivities had wrapped up, Huntington went out and defeated visiting Smithtown East, 14-7. The Blue Devils led 6-4 at halftime before outscoring their foes in the second half by an 8-3 margin.
Bender notched four goals and junior Devon St. John added four goals and two assists. Junior Sabrina Boyle tallied three goals and an assist along with winning a dozen draw controls. Junior Jenna Italiano had two goals and sophomore Grace Gordon scored a goal and assisted on three others. Sophomore Jolie Weinschreider also assisted on a goal. Eighth grader Juliet Johnson stopped five shots in the cage and freshman Andie DiGioia also recorded a save.
