Girimonti Scores Game Winner to Put H-ton in County Final Four
May 17, 2024
Just like he has so many times this season, Thomas Girimonti came through when his team needed it the most, scoring the game winning goal with 49.3 seconds remaining in the second overtime period to give Huntington a 7-6 victory over Smithtown East and propel the Blue Devil boys’ lacrosse team into the Suffolk Final Four at Half Hollow Hills West on Saturday at 12 noon.
It was a wild game played under gloomy skies and often in a misty rain. While Huntington defeated Smithtown East during the regular season, 13-5, the playoffs are always an entirely different world.
The teams traded first period goals before Smithtown East took a 3-2 lead at halftime. Huntington tied the game in the third period and both teams scored twice in the fourth period to knot the score at 6-6 and send the contest into overtime.
Both teams had opportunities to score in the first extra frame, but neither did. Huntington goalie Will Fallon was spectacular in both overtime periods, making three superhuman saves that seemed to defy physics.
With the score still tied at 6-6 and less than a minute remaining in the second overtime, Girimonti scored off an assist by senior Daniel McNulty. Delirium engulfed Blue Devil Stadium as the team mobbed Girimonti and then Fallon.
“The difference today was our guys playing as a unit and persevering through tough situations,” Girimonti said. “It was a game of ups and downs and we didn’t let the negatives break us down.”
Girimonti scored two goals and McNulty had two goals and two assists. Tommy Kline, Colin Lennon and Timmy McDonald also scored goals. Brian Hrybenko added two assists. Fallon had nine saves. Smithtown East goalie Brendan Carroll stopped 18 Huntington shots.
The Blue Devil defense was heroic throughout the game, repeatedly coming up with big plays to the delight of the crowd, which included a substantial alumni and current student presence.
“I think the keys to winning and reaching the final four was staying connected as a unit,” McNulty said. “Although both the season and this game had many ups and downs, we were able to ride it out and ultimately come up with a win finding ourselves in the county semifinals. Our coaches really emphasized the importance of possessing the ball now that we are in playoff mode and I feel we really emphasized that to the fullest. As well as great goaltending for us on the other end.”
Huntington is seeded No. 4 in the county playoffs while Half Hollow Hills is seeded No. 1.
Tickets are required for Saturday’s game. Go to this link https://gofan.co/event/1525377?schoolId=NYSPHSAAXI to purchase tickets. Children 12 and under are admitted free.
