The 2022 season for the Huntington Blue Devils will be about trying to complete unfinished business. Last year they started the season winning their first 10 games and finished 12-3 to earn the top seed, but were upset in the Quarterfinals of the Class A playoffs by Sachem North. A disappointing end to the season should have them hungry and motivated to come back even better. Head Coach Julian Watts shared his excitement about having 13 seniors returning to the team this year.
“I’m excited about having 13 seniors. It’s a big class and each leader brings something different to the table. I return 6 starters who remember last year and feel like they have unfinished business. Mental toughness will be a key to success this year.”
The attack unit will be headlined by seniors Robbie Smith (Stony Brook), Liam Lennon (Geneseo), and Jack O’Brien (York). Smith is an All-County attackman was second in goals last season with 29 and led the team in points with 50. Lennon and O’Brien who is All-Division totaled 51 points. Seniors Michael Kline, Aidan McNulty, and Christopher Maichin (Colby) are the three starting midfielders and combined to account for 49 points in 2021. The entire offense will have to produce even more this season with the loss of All-County midfielder Liam Hassett(Siena) and All-American midfielder John Krisch(UMASS). Last season the Blue Devils averaged over 10 goals per game, and scored double digit goals in eight out of 15 games.
Face-off specialist Anthony Annunziata (Yale) will also play a major role in the teams’ success this season. He took 310 face-offs last season and won 224 which was good for a 72% winning percentage. The defense will be led by Aidan Carrello (Georgetown), and Harrison Krywak(York). Carrello is a very aggressive defender that makes it very difficult for his opponents to dodge on him and has high lacrosse IQ. Harrison is a lefty defenseman who coach Watts describes as being “a physical slider and having a strong presence on ball.”
A key piece to Huntington’s 2021 defense was goalie Alex Fascilla who had an unbelievable senior season. He recorded 155 saves, allowing just 79 goals for a save percentage of 66%. Junior goalie Sammy Mac Arner will have a great chance to be the starting goaltender this season. Thomas Girimonti and Daniel McNulty are two young guns that might have a chance to see the field this season as well.
The schedule for the Blue Devils contains some matchups against some of the upper echelon teams in the Class A division as well as a non league game. Here are the notable opponents that Huntington will play this season.
Sachem North @ Huntington (4/1)
Cold Spring Harbor @ Huntington (4/4)
Huntington @ Ward Melville (4/12)
Bay Shore @ Huntington (4/19)
Northport @ Huntington (4/22)
Smithtown East @ Huntington (4/28)
Jack Krisch, Liam Hassett, and Alex Fascilla are now notable alumni of the Blue Devil’s lacrosse program and have all taken their game to the collegiate level. Krish is now playing at UMass, Hassett currently attends Siena, and Fascilla is at Babson.
