Blue Devils' County Crown March Stopped
Nick Saputo scored three goals but the Huntington High School boys' lacrosse team was stopped in its quest for the Suffolk Class B crown by Shoreham-Wading River, 13-8 before a crowd of 2,000 at Stony Brook University.
The Wildcats notched the game's first goal about five minutes into the start of play. Huntington tied the score when Jim Roselle scored off a pass from Jack Cutrone. The Blue Devils were supported by a large student contingent of fans that cheered the team's every move.
With the scored knotted 1-1, SWR (17-2) erupted for five second quarter goals to take control of the game, 6-3. Huntington (14-5) played catch-up the rest of the way, but never found itself within striking distance again.
Saputo's three goals and one assist paced the Blue Devil offense. Roselle (1g), Jack Cutrone (1g, 1a), Jack Castelli (1g), Dan Plant (1g), Will Coffey (1g) and Michael Albini (1a) also contributed to the Huntington cause. Goalie John McGrath stopped 11 shots.
As head coach Paul McDermott paced the sidelines, Huntington tried mightily to corral the Wildcat offense. The two teams went toe-to-toe, with a ferocious and physical style of play, but the Blue Devils could gain little traction.
SWR carried a 10-6 lead into the final quarter of play and continued to control the flow of the game until the final seconds. The Huntington coaching staff relentlessly barked instructions and ordered adjustments to little avail.
The Blue Devils took the loss hard, but players kept their heads up as the two teams engaged in post-game handshakes. Coming into the game Huntington knew it was in for a battle royale and while it hurt to come up short, players were soothed with a nice ovation from Blue Devil fans who expressed appreciation for a season of thrills.
Blue Devil Notes: Huntington Superintendent John J. Finello watched the game from the sidelines . . . It was the Blue Devils' first appearance in the county finals in four years . . . There was a massive downpour in the second quarter that sent most of the crowd scurrying for cover, but play continued on the field . . . Huntington lacrosse royalty Zach Howell and Shamel Bratton were on the sidelines . . . Alums Sam Cutrone and Joe Askerberg also found their way down to field level . . . SWR will play Garden City for the Long Island championship on Saturday at Stony Brook . . . The Finley-8 lacrosse team that recently completed an undefeated season sat together at the game . . . New York State Supreme Court Justice W. Gerard Asher, a Huntington alum, was at the game . . . Former star goalie Charlie Paar watched from the stands with his parents, Mark and Mary and sister Sarah nearby . . . Dozens of Huntington girls' lacrosse players were among the loudest fans . . . Blue Devil girls' varsity coach Nancy Wilson watched the game from the upper deck with Jefferson School physical education and former girls' lacrosse assistant coach Karen Fischer . . . Huntington High School Assistant Principal Angelo Noce and Director of School Safety Jarrett Stein were also on the sidelines . . . Assistant Superintendent Joseph Giani and Ron Wilson, high school dean of students chatted amiably in the stands during the game . . . State Court of Claims Judge Dan Martin, a Huntington alum, was at the game.