Blue Devils Poised for Post-Season Run
For the first time in 25 years, the Huntington High School boys’ soccer team has won at least a share of the league championship. It’s a notable accomplishment, yet the squad was not happy last Wednesday when it dropped a 1-0 verdict with 4.9 seconds remaining in the second overtime.
Had Huntington prevailed in last week’s game against Hauppauge at Blue Devil Stadium, the team would have captured the league crown outright. Instead, it now shares the honor with Hauppauge and Deer Park, two of Suffolk’s best teams.
The loss stung head coach John Pagano, who said he was “very disappointed being less than five seconds away. The key is to let it pass, take in all we have accomplished and reload for Tuesday.”
While the players and coaches were upset with last Wednesday’s outcome, they have come to appreciate all that the group has accomplished so far this fall. Now that the post-season bracket has been announced, Huntington’s entire focus is on winning playoff games.
The Blue Devils are seeded No. 11 in the Suffolk Class AA post-season bracket. Huntington will travel to No. 6 North Babylon for a Tuesday contest. Game time is 2 p.m. It is anything but an easy game.
Huntington (12-2-2 overall) will have to play a near perfect game to topple North Babylon, which compiled a record of 14-1-1 (12-1-1 in league play) on its way to a second place finish in Suffolk League III. “There’s no question that it’s a tough draw,” Pagano said. “But, it’s the hand we have been dealt. I have no doubt we will go out and play hard. These guys are never intimidated.”
The Blue Devils believed they would be seeded much higher in the county playoff bracket after turning in such a strong regular season. While the team was disappointed, players went out on Saturday morning and practiced hard for two hours. No one wants the year to end just yet.
“It was an amazing regular season,” senior Scott Gulizio said. “I wouldn’t want to have it any other way with any other team. Heading into the playoffs, we just want to forget about the loss and play the way we know that we can play.” The teenager has played a key role in the Blue Devil defense and will be counted on to continue his outstanding performance.
Huntington finished the regular season league schedule with a record of 11-1-2. Last fall the Blue Devils upset a string of foes in the Suffolk playoffs and reached the county Final Four before falling in a close battle to Central Islip. The team lost many players to graduation, so it was somewhat surprising when it came out so successful this season.
“Being league champions is a huge success for us, but now that the playoffs have started means a new season has begun,” junior Olvin Palma said. “Our main priority is to win as many games as we can and hopefully win county championship. None of us wants this season to end.”
Palma and fellow junior forward Carlos Rivera are Huntington’s leading scorers. The Blue Devils feature a strong starting lineup, including an aggressive midfield and defensive presence. In junior Renato Aguilar the team also has one of Suffolk’s best goalies.
“There are a lot of things that are key to being successful in playoffs” senior Wilber Parada said. “The most important things are finishing, good defense, limited mistakes and effort. I think if we play our game and do these things we can have long, fun ride.”