Sports
Huntington 2010 Girls Soccer Preview
All-Suffolk forward Emma Hayes-Hurley has the Blue Devils thinking playoffs.
2009 Record: 10-4-1 Overall; 10-2 League IV (Lost in Suffolk Class A title game to Hauppauge).
Head Coach: John Walsh (14th season).
Top Players: Sr. Midfielder Christina Badalamenti; So. Goalkeeper Hannah Burnett; Sr. Midfielder Sarah Ehrman; So. Midfielder Katie Healy; Sr. Forward Emma Hayes-Hurley; Sr. Forward Emilie Pugliese; Sr. Midfielder Sarah Ehrman.
Position Breakdown: At forward, All-Suffolk senior Emma Hayes-Hurley led Huntington with nine goals. The team will look to her once again as its best playmaker up front. Also at forward is senior Emilie Pugliese. Coach John Walsh praised freshman Kim Smith for her explosive moves and great acceleration. Walsh views sophomore Katie Healy as a versatile cog. She is a forward by trade with a great shot but is also a solid stopper on defense and can play midfield. Two seniors own the midfield: Christina Badalamenti and Sarah Ehrman. Both are excellent stoppers in the middle. On defense, seniors Tara Narine and Allie Coleman lead the way. Goalkeeper Hannah Burnett was a backup last year but will take over in goal full-time. Burnett, a sophomore, isn't afraid to leave the line and use her feet to make plays, giving the team another weapon.
Expectations: The Blue Devils lost a strong core of seniors from a year ago. Another obstacle: The team must move up in classification into the more difficult Class AA. "This season, the team will be offensively based," Walsh said. "It's time for the seniors to fill their shoes and step up." However, with the amount of talent this team has, especially up front, there is no reason why Huntington can't make another playoff run. This is a group that knows what it means to be a team. "There are some really tough teams in our league," Walsh said. "How we match up against the Commacks and the Sachems of the world, we'll see. But my expectations are to get through the league and make the playoffs."
Key Matchups: Sept. 21 @ Hauppauge (9-5-1 last year); Sept. 23 vs. Islip (9-4-1); Oct. 7 vs. Deer Park (12-2).
