Blue Devil Boys' Soccer Grabs Honors
Four Blue Devil boys' soccer players garnered post-season honors following a year that saw the Huntington High School squad compile a 7-9-2 overall mark (6-6 in league play).
Coached by John Pagano and Jason Suarez, the Blue Devils topped East Islip in the opening round of the Section XI playoffs before falling to national powerhouse Brentwood. "We came back strong in the second half of the season," Pagano said about the team's play down the stretch.
Senior Grixon Moreira and junior Jeremy Gelb were named to the All-Conference team. Junior Anfernee Lopez and senior Ari Moskowitz captured All-League recognition. Moskowitz also earned an Academic All-County Award.
Moskowitz recorded four shutouts in goal this past fall and gave Huntington a solid presence in the net. Gelb turned in a strong year on defense. Lopez adjusted well to playing sweeper. Moreira missed the first half of the schedule before returning to the field and helping to lead the Blue Devils into the post-season.
Sophomore Scott Gulizio was another top player for the squad. Pagano referred to the teenager as a "great lockdown defender." Gulizio will be among the varsity team's eight returning starting players next fall. The will be reinforced by the promoted members of a "solid JV team," the coach said.
The Blue Devil coaching staff saw plenty to be happy with during a season in which the team fielded many new starting players. "We only had two yellow cards all year," Pagano said. "We showed tremendous intensity in the second half of the year."
Blue Devil Notes: Senior Evert Coto and sophomore Raul Alvarenga tied for the team lead in goals with three each . . . Huntington went 5-3 in one-goal games . . . Gelb, Moskowitz and Moreira captained the Blue Devils.