Huntington Girls’ Lacrosse Wins Suffolk Championship

Just as it has throughout the season, the trumpet summoned Valentina Puccio to battle again on Sunday morning at Stony Brook University’s Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium. And the Huntington High School senior answered the call with four goals, including the game winner, to lift the Blue Devil girls’ lacrosse team to its second consecutive county crown over Ward Melville, 6-5.

Puccio (63 goals; 15 assists), was simply marvelous in figuring out ways to shoot and score. She worked the ball with Houdini-like magic, going low for what proved to be the game winner. Huntington’s defense took it from there, shutting down the Patriots’ (16-3) offense the rest of the way.

Huntington (17-2) sophomore Juliet Johnson turned in another remarkable performance, stopping nine shots and deflecting several others to take command. Combined with the Blue Devil defense, which was on top of its game and the group of teenagers put on a real show for their adoring fans, which were out in full force for the unusual early morning game.

With the Huntington girls’ lacrosse program’s founding coach, Mary Paar in the stands for the game, the Blue Devils battled every step of the way. Huntington UFSD executives stood behind the sidelines just as tense as everyone else in the crowd was, reacting to every play and every call.

Senior Jolie Weinschreider (49g; 25a) had a pair of goals and an assist for the Blue Devils. Senior Bridget Callery (15g; 12a) and sophomore Olivia Puccio (39g; 23a) both picked up assists for Huntington.

Defensive star Ava McDonald said the key to the game boiled down to one word: “belief.” The Blue Devils believed in themselves, in each other and in their coaches and knew that somehow, someway they would get the job done.

Huntington will play Massapequa for the Long Island championship next Sunday, June 7 at 10 a.m. at Stony Brook. The winner advances to the New York State Final Four at Cortland on Friday, June 12 at 9 a.m.

Online tickets will be required and available later in the week. Kids ages 12 and under will be admitted free to all games.