Bencivenga’s Goal Lifts Huntington to County Finals in Double Overtime

With the score tied at 7-7 and the Huntington and Northport girls’ lacrosse teams battling each other into a second overtime, Blue Devil sophomore midfield Ava Bencivenga raced down the field, weaving, bobbing and dodging and fired off a shot that beat the Tiger’s spectacular goalkeeper Charlotte Cuneo and sent the home crowd at Alumni Field into delirium.

Huntington (16-2) will play Ward Melville for the Suffolk Class A championship on Sunday at Stony Brook University’s LaValle Stadium at 10 a.m.

Northport (15-2) took control of the game early, but Huntington was able to stay close. Eventually, the score evened before the two proud teams traded leads. The Blue Devils thought they had the upper hand several times late in the second half, but the Tigers always found a way to respond.

It was a thrilling game from the start, completely worthy of being a county semifinal contest. The bleachers on both sides of the field were packed with fans spilling out along walkways. Huntington’s entire district administration was on the scene until Bencivenga won it for the Blue Devils, with school board members and the high school principal nearby.

With the score knotted at 7-7 and both teams playing at a frenzied pace, Huntington senior Grace Gordon intercepted a pass on the 30 yard line and sent the ball to Bencivenga who went into an all-out sprint down the field.

“I really thought someone would eventually be there for me to pass the ball to, but when I realized that wasn’t happening, I took the shot,” Bencivenga said. She was on about the eight yard line and launched a bullet off Cuneo’s left hip that found its way to the back of the cage and made Huntington a winner.

Sophomore Oliva Puccio had four goals for Huntington. Her sister, Valentina Puccio had a pair of goals and an assist. Jolie Weinschreider assisted on three goals. Leigh Evens also scored for the Blue Devils. Gordon and Ava McDonald both had assists.

“I do believe I was born to wear this uniform for Huntington,” Bencivenga said. “It means a lot to me to put it on. It’s inconceivable that I could possibly be playing for any other team.”

Bencivenga’s teammates mobbed her on the field and did the same to Blue Devil goalie Juliet Johnson, who starred down some of New York’s best goal scorers in Northport’s attack and midfield units.