Callery’s Hat Trick Lifts Blue Devils Over Ward Melville, 9-3

Bridget Callery fired three rockets into the back of the net and the Blue Devil defense was unyielding as the Huntington varsity girls’ lacrosse team upset state ranked No. 2 Ward Melville this week at Alumni Field, 9-3.

Callery enjoyed her most productive day of the season offensively as Huntington took it to the Patriots. The victory catapulted the Blue Devils back into first place during the final week of the regular season. Huntington is ranked No. 8 in the New York State Sportswriters Assn. Class A poll.

The teams were evenly matched in the opening minutes, trading goals during the first period as Huntington took a 3-2 lead after 12 minutes. The Blue Devils went on to score four unanswered goals in the second frame to go into halftime with a 7-2 advantage. Neither team was able to tally a goal in the third period but Huntington notched two of the final three goals to win convincingly, 9-3.

Backing up Callery (15 goals; 9 assists) was Grace Gordon (27g; 32a), who had two goals and an assist and Ava Bencivenga (12g; 7a), Valentina Puccio (52g; 12a), Olivia Puccio (31g; 20a) and Ava McDonald (1g), who also scored in the game. Juliet Johnson (95 saves) was again spectacular in goal as she stopped 10 shots to completely shut down the Patriot’s potent offensive unit.

The Blue Devils recently honored its seniors during a pre-game ceremony at Alumni Field. The group includes Sage Cicciari, Valentina Puccio, Jolie Weinschreider, Grace Gordon, Bridget Callery, Grace Oliva, Mia Johnson, Kyra Larsen, Cameron Smith and Isabella Palacios.

Parents and family members joined each of the seniors on the field, walking out to applause. Coaches spoke about the seniors and their was a post-game party, too.