Blue Devils Honor Seniors & Advance to Playoffs

On the final day of the regular season, the Huntington varsity field hockey team honored its two seniors before going out and overwhelming visiting Connetquot, 5-0 to earn a berth in the Section XI playoffs.

Head coach Kathy Wright and assistant coach Allison Conlon along with volunteer assistant Ellyn Byrnes paid tribute to seniors Katie Cocoman and Sofia VanArsdale during a touching pre-game ceremony that brought the players’ family members down to the field.

Cocoman is the team’s stalwart goalkeeper and VanArsdale helps to anchor the Blue Devils’ defense. Both have been key players for many years and both fill outsized roles on this year’s playoff bound team.

Huntington plays at Sachem North today (Friday) at 2 p.m. in the opening round of the Section XI playoffs. Seeded No. 9, the Blue Devils are 9-6 overall this fall. No. 8 Sachem North is currently 8-6. The winner will advance to No. 1 Sachem East.

Huntington is led by junior Caroline Mitek, who is in the midst of one of the greatest offensive seasons by a Blue Devil player ever. She has 21 goals and six assists and is among Long Island’s leaders in goals and points.

Against Connetquot, Mitek tallied three goals and Ava Bencivenga (6g; 8a) scored twice. Sophie Hoffman (3a) picked up an assist. Cocoman (94 saves) stopped a pair of shots to notch the shutout. Connetquot’s Addison Iocca recorded 19 saves.

The Huntington roster also features Bella Bernzweig, Francesca D’Eloia, Shea Gilroy, Norah Golden, Cassidy Harris, Charlotte Kindelmann, Luisa Mackey, Elliot Manu, Shelby Meystrik, Maya Schneider, Greenlee Stanford, Abigail Uvena and Alexa Wasoski.