Blue Devils Top New Jersey’s Best Team, 7-6

Valentina Puccio scored with less than one minute remaining to lift the Huntington girls’ lacrosse team over Ridgewood, New Jersey on a rainy afternoon in Cold Spring Harbor, 7-6.

Ranked first in New Jersey and No. 11 among all public schools in the country, the Ridgewood girls’ lacrosse team is a powerhouse. Huntington trailed at halftime, 5-3, but came storming back in the second half.

With the score knotted at 6-6 and about one minute remaining in regular play, Puccio (36 goals; 9 assists) fired a shot past the goalie to put the Blue Devils ahead for good. Despite the rain, Huntington’s fans reacted with cheers, including from a large student section.

Puccio scored twice in the game as did Jolie Weinschreider (33g; 16a). Bridget Callery (8g; 8a), Grace Gordon (18g; 18a) and Olivia Puccio (24g; 17a) also scored for the Blue Devils. Goalie Juliet Johnson made 12 saves in to notch the win in goal.

Huntington’s defense was once again magnificent in shutting down the powerful Ridgewood offense. The Blue Devils constantly broke up plays, stymied the play making and interrupted passes. Ava McDonald was particularly effective, causing six turnovers and scooping up four ground balls.

Huntington went on to topple William Floyd on Tuesday in league play, 12-4 to improve to 11-0 this spring. The team has five regular season games remaining on its schedule. The Blue Devils will host Riverhead (May 7 at 6 p.m.) and Ward Melville (May 11 at 5:30 p.m.) and travel to Walt Whitman (April 30 at 5 p.m.), Cold Spring Harbor (May 2 at 2 p.m.) and Northport (May 5 at 4:30 p.m.)

Huntington is led by co-head coaches Meg Marinelli and Chris Taylor, assistant coach Lauren Blackburn and volunteer assistant Lauren Schwalje.