Blue Devils Open Season with Two Deadlocks

If the Huntington High School boys’ soccer ever opened a season with two consecutive scoreless games no one can remember when it happened. That’s what the Blue Devils have done this year, battling to deadlocks with both Sayville and Northport.

The two non-league games featured some impassioned early season play. Against Sayville, the teams went scoreless in regulation and through two overtime periods. Huntington goalie Lee Reiver recorded three saves. The Blue Devils had six shots on the Golden Flashes’ goal.

In a game played last Friday afternoon at Blue Devil Field, Huntington and Northport went at it as if a playoff berth was on the line, but neither could score during regulation or overtime. Reiver stopped five shots, the same number the Blue Devils took on the Tigers’ goal. Both teams had chances to score late in the game.

“As much as I’d like to take credit for the back-to-back shutouts, I need to give the credit to my defense,” Reiver said. “Starting with Jeremy Gelb at sweeper along with Wilber Parada, Scott Gulizio, and Santiago Alzate, I almost feel like there is no pressure on me. These guys are constantly working together to limit all chances from opponents. It would be amazing to get some goals though.”

Huntington head coach John Pagano has been very pleased with his team’s defensive play, but is hoping to see a more powerful offense during three games this week. The Blue Devils host East Islip on Monday, travel to Half Hollow Hills West on Wednesday and visit Deer Park on Friday. All three games are set to begin at 4 p.m.

“Fortunately these have been non-league games and we can figure out what we need to improve on,” Reiver said. “I hope to keep the clean sheet alive and do what is needed of me.”

Blue Devil Notes: Huntington’s rare night game against Sayville was played at Medford Park . . . The Blue Devils are captained by Reiver, Gelb and Anfernee Lopez . . . Pagano is assisted by Jason Suarez.