The Farmingdale Wolves boys U-12 travel soccer team advanced to the second round in the prestigious Waldbaum's Challenge with a solid 2-1 victory over the Sound Beach Storm.

Although the Wolves were down four players, the team picked up the slack: repositioning, regrouping - and really pouring it on. Zachary Wetzel switched over to the fullback position for the game, joining Peter Badalamente, Nicholas Casey, Jonathan Delmore and Bobby Godas to create a powerful defensive line for goalkeeper Matt Ward, who was superb as usual. Jackson Weber left his usual defensive position to join the Wolves' outstanding offense, which also included Xavier Bonilla, Cody Chuchul, Andrew Erker and Chris Pendergast.

The Wolves offense struck early - and never wavered. Brandon Veracka scored the first goal minutes into the first half, with a great shot off a spectacular pass by Jonathan Lyons. Tommy Esposito followed a few minutes later with a bullet of a shot from outside the 18-yd. line for the Wolves' second goal. Exhausted and more than a little cold, the Wolves kept the pressure on during the second half, holding on to their victory.

Following the win, Wolves coach Chris Pendergast and assistant coaches Kevin Lyons and John Veracka congratulated all the boys for their strong teamwork and presented the coveted "game ball" to Esposito, Lyons and Veracka for their outstanding offensive play.