Farmingdale Coach Archie Defendini recently witnessed something that he has not seen in his 32 years of coaching - the Farmingdale High School Boys Varsity Soccer Team named Nassau County co-champions.

On Nov. 9, Farmingdale, led by Coach Defendini and assistant coach Bruce Tepelman, tied Rockville Centre's Southside High School 0-0 after a game which lasted 120 minutes, including 40 minutes of sudden death overtime. The Nassau Conference A championship game resulted in Farmingdale and Southside being declared co-champions.

Due to regulations, there can only be one Nassau County team that advances to the Long Island Championship round, so the game was forced into a penalty kicks round. Farmingdale lost in that final round 4-3, allowing Southside to advance to the next round; although both teams were still crowned co-champs.

"We were hoping to make the playoffs," said Coach Defendini, "but I was never expecting what these kids put out. They really played superb."

Farmingdale beat Hempstead 4-0 in the first round of the playoffs, which advanced them to the semifinal round against Plainview. At the end of regulation, that game was tied 2-2, but Farmingdale pulled through in the penalty kick round, defeating Plainview and advancing them to the game against Southside.

"This is our first ever championship in Farmingdale for Conference I soccer," said Defendini. "It is a big one."

Co-captains Tom Cunningham, the goalie, and mid-fielder John Schroeder were both named to the All-County team. Also, Nicholas Venditto, Juan Nunez, Edwin Vasquez and Steven Pullen were voted onto the All-Conference team. There are five graduating seniors on the team: Jonathan Kadishon, Dusty Cohen, Ronis Sanchez, as well as the two co-captians.

Sophomore Edwin Vasquez was named the Most Valuable Player of the Nassau County Championship round. "This kid is going to be dynamite," said Defendini.

The future looks bright for the Dalers. "I have a good team coming back next year," said Defendini. "We went into the season knowing that all of the other teams had senior-led teams and we were mostly underclassman." Farmingdale finished this year's record breaking season 10-6-1.

Coach Defendini and the entire coaching staff "wish to thanks all of the parents who were there for them right through the end."