In the last two seasons, the North Shore varsity soccer team has posted 19 wins, 4 ties, and 8 losses to achieve a 70 percent winning record while moving up from Conference V to Conference IV and then making the playoffs for the first time in many years. Two years ago when Coach Hintz took over, he recognized that he had some raw talent that only needed direction and commitment and it was clear that the team wanted to move Viking soccer back into the position of prominence that it once held and so they went to work.

The final game of the season was a challenge. Win it and go to the playoffs; lose it and go home. Going home was not an option. Clarke was a tough opponent the first time around who lost by a score of 1-0. It was not the case last week when the Vikings exploded for a 3-1 win. Andy Lazarow opened the scoring with a one-touch volley off a throw-in from Chris Frey. Robbie Grabher then added to his team's lead by first pounding in a rebound and then scoring again on a nifty pass from Peter Filippi. Tucker Morgan played brilliantly in goal and along with a stubborn defense led by Zach Venditto the team secured a play-off berth for 2007.

The Mineola Mustangs were to be the opening round opponent and as the #2 seed, they were going to be formidable. The day was clear but very windy and the field was rather sloppy from all the rain. Both teams played excellent soccer despite the conditions. Mineola took the early lead on a first-half goal. Robbie Grabher put home a rebound on a shot by Brandon Robilotti as the second half began and the game picked up in intensity with North Shore having the better of the play. Chris Frey nearly gave the Vikings the lead on a header off a cross but the keeper made a timely save and the game continued scoreless. Jon Pavlica also gave the Mustangs a scare on a direct free kick which nearly found the corner of the goal, only to be saved again by the keeper. With time waning and only minutes to go, Mineola found an opening and scored the goal which proved to be the game winner. Success is not always measured by winning or losing but rather by what one achieves. In the last two seasons the North Shore Vikings have made giant strides in bringing the soccer program back to life. The legacy the seniors leave behind will go a long way toward future success and while no one knows what the future holds, the future for soccer at North Shore is looking very bright.

The North Shore boys cross-country traveled to Goddard State Park in Rhode Island to compete in the Brown University Cross Country Invitational, which attracted schools throughout the Northeast. The Vikings placed fourth in the Varsity 1 competition. Senior Willie Schefer placed third in a race of more than 200 runners. Following close behind was senior standout Jake Tobol who ran his best time of the season. Sophomore sensation Mike Clausen finished with the fourth fastest time for any sophomore in Nassau County this year. Finishing out the top five were Glen Gerbush and Matt Wefer. The Viking runners' performances allowed them to outscore the top-ranked team in Nassau County, Lynbrook, who also competed in the Varsity 1 race. Mike Treco turned in an outstanding feat in the JV race, coming home with a medal for placing ninth out of 215 runners. The Vikings return to Bethpage State Park this Saturday to take on rival Valley Stream North for what will be a close battle for the Conference Title.

The North Shore field hockey team ended its regular season play with a record of 8-5-1, placing fifth in League 1 and third in Conference 1. The Vikings secured wins in the last week of play against Locust Valley, Great Neck North and New Hyde Park. Sophomore Elle Hoffman led the team in goals with four in the last three games. Junior Taylor Spallone and freshman Ariana Pappas added two goals apiece, and seniors Sara Micelotta, Monique Montagnese and Jen DiLeo also added a goal each. Defensively, the Vikings are strong, led by Lauren Koslow, Megan Scott and Ashley Janelli.

The midfield has been a key piece in the success of the team with contributions from Liz Cottell, Melissa Meehan and Kaela McGilloway. The Vikings will face the sixth-place team Seaford in the quarterfinals of playoffs at 2:30 p. m. on Monday Oct. 29 at Glenwood Landing. The winner will meet Manhasset on Thursday, Nov. 1.

On Wednesday, Oct. 10, North Shore played Clarke at home. Coach Schultz told the girls to attack early. North Shore created many opportunities to score, but did not score any goals in the first half. The second half started and Laura Cvikevich, Christina Convey and Alex Welch scored, making the game 3-0. With three minutes left in the game a Clarke player went up to head the ball with Christina Convey and their heads collided. Convey went down with a cut over her eye, which took about 12 stitches. Clarke decided not to continue play and Justyne Passarelli had her fourth shutout with 12 saves.

On Friday Oct. 12, North Shore visited Oyster Bay for the second round. North Shore lost the first game in overtime, 3-2. Everyone was pumped up and Alex Welch was bent on scoring. Playing like a real center forward, she scored the first goal with a cracking right foot shot to the right of the goal with an assist from Lauren Berglin. Sarah Baum, Devon Comito, Madison Martinez, Maggie Drowica and Amanda Sobhy played hard defense against Oyster Bay, but they scored a goal. North Shore stepped it up a notch, with Devon Comito saving a goal by rising up in the air, and heading the ball away. Lauren Byer, playing the quarterback, found Alex Welch and with a beautiful pass, Alex dribbled and let fly with a great left-foot shot into the back of the net, making the score 2-1. Justyne was again exceptional in goal with 12 saves.

On Tuesday, Oct. 16 North Shore played conference leaders Division, who was undefeated. North Shore players were holding their own, with the defense against the wall from the start of the game. Division scored after a corner kick. North Shore was not giving up, attacking the goal, taking shot after shot , but Division scored a second goal making the score 2-0. Justyne Passarelli had 13 saves.