Huntington Boys’ Lax Topples Kings Park on Senior Day
Sophomore Garrett Moya scored five goals to help the Huntington boys’ lacrosse team topple visiting Kings Park on Senior Day at Blue Devil Field, 15-13.
The teams engaged in a seesaw battle for most of the game, with the lead changing hands several times before Huntington gained control in the final minutes. The contest played out before a crowd of about 200 on a warm, overcast afternoon.
The Blue Devils have struggled this spring under first year head coach Kevin Travis. Huntington has won five of 13 games, losing several by narrow margins, including a handful in which early leads were squandered.
Huntington led Kings Park after 12 minutes of play, 3-2, but the Kingsmen managed to tie the score by halftime at 7-7. Both teams scored four goals in third quarter before the Blue Devils finally gained an advantage that they held for the remainder of the game.
While Moya’s heroics were sensational, Huntington also received offensive support from Thomas Goldsmith, who had three goals and two assists and Christian Fiordelisi, who scored three times. Tim Mattiace added a pair of goals and Austin Reda had four assists. Nat Amato had a goal and an assist. Dan Brown also scored in the game.
The Blue Devil goalie tandem of Cooper Wakhale (eight saves) and Justin Weigold (six saves) combined to stop 14 Kings Park shots.
Seniors Christian Fiordelisi, Tim Mattiace, Cooper Wakhale, Justin Weigold, Chris Bergman, Stephen Shivers, Dan McCartney, Keegan Reilly, Dylan Stieve, Dylan Wheeler and Tom Waldron were honored during a post-game ceremony.
Travis asked parents and family members to come down out of the bleachers and assemble on the running track as he called out the seniors, one by one and spoke about how much each of them has meant to the lacrosse program. Underclassmen stood nearby.
“This is a great group of young men that I have been proud to coach,” Travis said. “It’s been a tough year, but they have given this team everything they have and I couldn’t have asked for more.”
The coach’s heartfelt remarks about his players included many anecdotes. Travis made clear how highly he regards them as players and people. “Every one of them is super competitive and they all want to be on the field all the time, but they also have put the team first,” Travis said.
When the coach finished speaking about each of the teenagers, their parents came out, hugged them and posed for photos. Later a group photo of the 11 seniors and their coaches was snapped and then a full team photo was taken.
The seniors were presented with personalized Blue Devil lacrosse pillows as tokens of appreciation for their devotion to the Huntington program.