Huntington Girls' Soccer Looks Ahead
The Huntington High School girls' soccer program is focusing on the future following a tough season that saw the varsity team compile a 1-13 record.
The Blue Devils struggled to put the ball in the net, scoring just five goals. Opponents scored 30 times and shutout Huntington in ten games. The team's lone win came on Senior Day when it topped visiting West Babylon, 2-0. It was an especially sweet victory since the Eagles had won the first meeting between the two schools earlier in the season, 3-0.
Huntington's dynamic goalie Hannah Burnett garnered All-County honors for her inspired play, which saw the senior record an extremely large number of saves game-after-game. It marked the second time Burnett had been named one of Suffolk's best. She is headed to the University of Florida on a lacrosse scholarship.
Talented freshman Katie Reilly scored three of Huntington's five goals. Annie Nugent and Megan Healy also scored. The 22-player team featured 14 underclassmen, providing a strong foundation for next season.
Blue Devil senior forward Katie Healy and junior midfielders Kim Smith and Megan Healy were also among the team's top players. "Megan runs the team," said John Walsh, Huntington's longtime head coach. "Katie did anything the team needed."
Smith, who was an All-Conference player as a sophomore, will be one of the keys to next fall's Blue Devil campaign. Walsh is looking forward to the teenager resuming her dominating play as a senior.
Walsh said the Blue Devils have talent but need to work together. It wasn't too long ago that Huntington boasted one of the county's premier programs. Walsh hopes to get back to that lofty level in the near future.
Blue Devil Notes: Walsh was assisted by Vincent Tannazzo . . . Hannah Burnett, Katie Healy, Allison Mehring and Megan Healy served as team captains . . . Huntington junior varsity coach was named the league's JV Coach of the Year.