As written about in the last issue of the Hicksville Illustrated News, the Hicksville American Soccer Club Boys U12 Xtreme Team played for the division championship on Nov. 4 against the only other undefeated league opponent, the reigning state champion, the Dix Hills Thunder.

The match was heavily attended by many local supporters who were treated to an exciting match that saw many fantastic individual plays on both sides. An unofficial headcount placed the sidelines at over 150 people. The local boys started slow and the state champs jumped on them immediately sending shot after shot on the Hicksville net. Through truly a team effort, and some pure luck, the Hicksville boys withstood this early series of attacks one by one. Each defeated attempt seemed to incrementally energize the Xtreme players and they began to counter.

Most of these counter attacks were immediately snuffed out by Dix Hills before they could pose a serious threat. Going into halftime, the score was 0-0, with both teams searching for that special switch or alignment that break through the other's defense. It was during the halftime discussion the Hicksville boys realized that, while they weren't playing at the top of their game (by any means), they were still in the match. At that point, collectively, the team made a promise to each other to individually play the second half at their peak. These young boys gathered in a circle, linked arms, and looked each other in the eyes and promised from their hearts that win or lose, that they would each deliver their best for the next 30 minutes.

This new resolve showed bright and clear in each and every player's eyes as they took the field. Immediately after the restart, the impact of their promise began to take shape as the Hicksville boys were able to thwart the Dix Hills attacks sooner and sooner, and then they began to mount serious scoring threats. The Xtreme continued to gain momentum inching closer and closer to a score, while stopping the opposition further and further away from the Hicksville net. The boys would not be denied and found a way to make good on their collective halftime promise to each other. With 10 minutes remaining in the match, the Hicksville boys scored. A strong shot on goal was deflected by the last Dix Hills defender, enough to cause their goalie to misplay the ball and it slipped by him into the net.

The collective roar from the team, and the assembled fans, was deafening. This bit of luck for Hicksville would not deter the opposition. Instead of quitting, the Dix Hills team showed their championship skills in a redoubled effort to net an equalizer. The score seemed to ignite a furious series of attacks, which were thoroughly turned back by the entire Hicksville team. These attacks drew closer and closer to the Hicksville net - but each and every one of them were turned back. The last furious exchange saw three high quality shots stopped point blank by the Hicksville goalie, with the final desperate Dix Hills shot cleared by one of the defenders who had slipped behind his goalie to ensure nothing would find the net.

As the final whistle blew, pandemonium ensued with tears of joy evident on spectators and players alike. The Hicksville team achieved its goal for the day, shutting out their arch-rivals to claim an undisputed lead in the division as the only undefeated and unscored upon boys U12 team in Nassau and Suffolk Counties - a total of 123 boys teams in total.

The players and parents would like to thank all the numerous fans who stopped by that day for their support. Each of every one of the fans that day can claim some responsibility for the success because without your constant cheers of support the young boys might have not have found the energy to win. It is with deepest respect that the team dedicated the win to the community because without its support they couldn't achieve their goals.

The Xtreme hopes everyone in attendance that day can continue their support by attending their upcoming fundraiser - a night of comedy at Governors Comedy Shop in Levittown on Sunday, Nov. 19 - details can be found at www.hicksvillextreme.com.