Huntington Repeats as LI Girls’ Lacrosse Champions

Winning county and Long Island championships once is tough to do, but winning twice consecutively is even harder. But the Huntington High School girls’ lacrosse team made it look as easy as it can as the Blue Devils built a strong lead and then held for the inevitable comeback attempt by Nassau County champ Massapequa.

Huntington’s 9-6 victory sends it to the New York State Public High School Athletic Association’s Class A Final Four at SUNY Cortland on Friday. The Blue Devils will play Suffern at Grady Field at 9 a.m. The winner will advance to the state championship game on Saturday at 9 a.m.

Against Massapequa there were many small stories within the bigger one, but perhaps the most important one was the hot play of sophomore goalie Juliet Johnson, who recorded 13 saves and helped shut down one of the most potent offensive units in the state. Johnson has stopped 129 shots this spring.

While Johnson was practicing her particular blend of magic in the cage, Huntington’s attack, midfield and defensive units were coming together nicely on a hot morning before an adoring crowd of Blue Devil faithful.

Huntington led 5-2 after the first period and was ahead 8-3 by halftime. Massapequa was never able to catch up.

Olivia Puccio (41 goals; 23 assists), Jolie Weinschreider (51g; 25a) and Ava Bencivenga (16g; 7a) scored two goals each for the Blue Devils. Valentina Puccio (64g; 16a) tallied a goal and an assist. Grace Gordon (28g; 35a) and Leigh Evans (3g) also scored goals in the game.

“From the very beginning, we believed in ourselves and what we were capable of doing,” said junior Ava McDonald, who anchored Huntington’s defense. “Our coaches spent countless hours preparing us for moments like this and we trusted everything they taught us. We played for each other. Every play was for each other. We knew what was at stake and nobody wanted this season to end. When you have a team that believes, trusts one another, and is willing to fight for each other until the final whistle, you can do special things. That’s how we were able to shut them down.”

Blue Devil coaches Meg Marinello, Chris Taylor, Lauren Blackburn and Lauren Schwalje coached their hearts out and it paid off. The team rushed goalie Juliet Johnson as time expired.