Hauppauge Stuns Blue Devil Girls’ Soccer
After failing to capitalize on a blistering first half performance, the Huntington girls’ soccer team was stunned as Hauppauge scored a late game goal to top the Blue Devils and win the Suffolk Class A championship, 1-0 before a crowd of 400 at the Dowling College Sports Complex.
While Huntington players swarmed all over the field in the opening half, they couldn’t put the ball past Hauppauge goalie Diana Poulin. Blue Devil fans might have felt it was only a matter of time before the scoreboard started lighting up, but head coach John Walsh would have preferred seeing the ball in the net.
Huntington advanced to the championship game by upsetting No. 1 Islip in the semi-finals, 1-0. Hauppauge also pulled off an upset when it used two second-half goals to upend No. 2 Mount Sinai, 3-1.
The Blue Devils played a confident game, utilizing their speed and skill to dominate over long stretches. But, Poulin was sensational for the Eagles, recording 17 saves, including one in the second-half when she deflected a strong shot over the top of the crossbar.
After Hauppauge sneaked the ball past Blue Devil goalie Lori Messina with about 11 minutes remaining in the game, a sense of urgency set in for Huntington, despite Walsh reminding his team that there was still “plenty of time” on the clock. The Blue Devils had a few more opportunities, but each time Poulin was up to the challenge.
With the victory Hauppauge now advances to Saturday’s Long Island championship where the Eagles will square off against the state’s top ranked team, Rockville Centre – South Side.
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