Blue Devil Soccer Confidential
The pressure was on the Huntington boys' soccer team last week when it took the field at Blue Devil Stadium for a game against visiting Bellport. Anything less than a victory would have eliminated Huntington's hopes for a playoff berth.
The game started late and with the score knotted 2-2, the battle continued through two overtime periods. As the sun settled on the horizon and dusk neared, a series of lights ringing the field were turned on. The lights are used by the Blue Devil marching band for its evening practices. Fans dubbed the contest "the first night game in the history of Huntington High School."
Anthony Catarino scored two goals for the Blue Devils in regulation before Christian Caballero found the back of the net on a 15-yard header off an assist from Catarino with 33 seconds remaining in the second overtime period. E.J. Connell stopped four shots in goal.
Christine Bene, a member of the Huntington School Board, was asked to attend the game by Connell's mother, Anne. Mrs. Bene is somewhat of a "good luck charm" for the Blue Devils since whenever she comes to a game the team seems to win.
Rich McGrath, another school district trustee who was at the game, described the scene as "crazy" as the Huntington players and fans were ecstatic after Caballero put the ball in the net for the winning goal.