Town Throws Celebration for Huntington Girls’ Lacrosse Team

The Town of Huntington threw a party in Heckscher Park this week for the Blue Devil varsity girls’ lacrosse team, which recently won the New York State Class A title.

A short parade from one end of the park to the Chapin Rainbow Stage drew players, coaches and school officials as music blared. The team was decked out in their state champion tee-shirts. News 12 was on hand to interview several key players and to provide general coverage of the 45 minute long event.

Superintendent Ed Smith hosted the affair, which included Assemblyman Steve Stern, County Legislator Rebecca Sanin and Town Councilwoman Jennifer Hebert. Director of Human Services Kevin Thorborne made opening remarks and both organized and coordinated the celebration.

Huntington freshman Lena Sullivan sang a stunning version of the national anthem. A crowd of about 125 stood opposite the Chapin stage, including Superintendent Beth McCoy, Deputy Superintendent Christopher Hender and Assistant Superintendents Brenden Cusack and Dr. Rubie Harris. Huntington High School Principal Rochelle C. Brown and Assistant Principals Gamal Smith and Dr. Amy S. Cabelo. Several department directors and chairs and member of the Huntington School Board also attended.

Nearby Chick-fil-A donated hundreds of hot sandwiches. There even were gourmet miniature cup cakes and a free ice cream truck.

The Blue Devils stood in front of the stage while co-head coach Chris Taylor called on them by name to climb the stage stairs pose as a group. Almost incredibly, seven starters from this year’s team will be returning next spring when Huntington makes its debut in Class B.

After defeating nine state ranked teams down the stretch of the season, the Huntington girls’ lacrosse team knew it would all mean nothing if the Blue Devils couldn’t master defending champion Penfield of Section V – Rochester in the Class A state finals at Grady Field at SUNY Cortland.

While Huntington scored two of the game’s first three goals, the Blue Devils fell behind by halftime, 5-4. The team gathered around coach Meg Marinelli before players took turns addressing their teammates. They implored each other not to let this opportunity slip away and challenged one another to play even harder.

Trailing 6-5 to Penfield (18-4) in the third period, Huntington’s comeback was once again mounted by its powerful and fast defense, including its exceptional goalie, sophomore Juliet Johnson. The Blue Devils limited the defending state champions to a single goal over the final 24 minutes of the game.

When sophomore Olivia Puccio (48g; 24a) converted a man-down goal to give the Blue Devils a three goal lead late in the game, Huntington sensed it was going to make history.

Olivia Puccio’s four goals and an assist led the Blue Devils. Jolie Weinschreider (55g; 25a) tallied three goals and Valentina Puccio (65g; 18a) notched one goal and an assist. Bridget Callery (18g; 12a) also scored and Grace Gordon (28g; 39a) added an assist. Johnson stopped six shots and kicked or deflected away countless others, including at near point blank range.

Decked out in their Nike navy blue uniforms, Huntington proved it belonged on the big stage. Toppling the defending state champions required a near perfect performance and the Blue Devils got it from a group of teenage girls who discovered firsthand that hard work does indeed pay off.