The Farmingdale Flames, a girl's U11 Division 1 soccer team, took first place at the Martin Luther King Day Tournament sponsored by the United States Soccer Academy in Smithtown.

The Flames played inspired soccer throughout the day allowing only three goals in the five games they played, while scoring nine. The final goal, scored with only 13 seconds on the clock in game four, locked up first place for the girls. A loss or a tie in this game would have resulted in a third- or fourth-place finish.

Tremendous defense was played by Tara Bernot, Corrine Burns, Katie Lyons and Ashley Valente throughout the day. Goalie Leanne Darcy came up big on the few occasions where the defense broke down, making several clutch saves. The midfielders, Nicole Juray, Michele Maier, Stacey McPartland, Ally Mulcahy and Laura Neuburger, played great in all of the games. They kept pressure on the opposing team's defense, while covering their own defenders whenever they were needed. Unable to play for the Flames during the tournament were Nicole Cadena, Jessica Carvo and Kim Miller.

Coaches John Juray, Brian Mulcahy and Jim Neuburger expressed pride in the way the girls played. Coach Juray said "This is a great way to start off 1999," while Coach Mulcahy said he was impressed because the "girls have not practiced since November of last year."