Well, it's that time of the year again! Next weekend our fields will be filled with eager children and parents as it marks our opening games of the new millennium. We would like to wish all our teams good luck and a fun-filled season, and we would like to thank all our coaches and parents for their hard work to make our opening day a success.

We would like to welcome our newest member to the board, Penni Tloczkowski! Penni has been a part of our soccer community for many years always willing to lend a helping hand for the children. We know that Penni will be a great asset to the board of directors and our entire soccer family.

The New Hyde Park Wildcats Board of Directors and the entire community of children and parents would like to congratulate Mike Rennard on receiving Long Island Junior Soccer League's Volunteer of the year award. This is a very prestigious award given to Mike for his years of dedication of helping the children in our soccer community. Thank you, Mike!

Game 1

Panthers 1 - Deer Park 0

Jessica Egre fed a pass to Katelyn Chiasera for our winning goal. The defense, Lauren Waite and Katherine Kane along with keeper Brandi Lacertosa, who was outstanding in goal the entire day, was as solid as a defense could be.

Game 2

Panthers 1 - Island Trees 0

Here they come again! Ready to play, Nicole Contrada, Clare Adams and Dolores Yovino struck hard again and again at the Island Trees defense. Then, when a perfectly arced throw in by our defender Lauren Waite was thrown in, our forward unit made sure that the ball was going in the net for the winning goal!

Game 3

Panthers 0 - West Hempstead 4

Even though our girls played twice as hard against girls that were twice their size, the Panthers never gave up. It was only in the last few minutes of the game that the West Hempstead team broke through for the win. i have to say there was some amazing ball control by our forwards, Jessica Egre, Megean Favale and Katelyn Chiasera.

Game 4

Panthers 2 - Garden City 2

Again, the Panthers showed strength and skill. A beautiful pass from Dolores Yovino to Megean Favale proved to be a perfect assist for a goal. Jessica Egre, with good ball control, avoided the Garden City defense and put one in the back of the net. However, the Garden City team was relentless. Our defense, Lauren and Katherine with keeper Brandi, played strong and hard, but the City girls hit back with two. In doing so, injuring our goalie Brandi, who had to come out of the game, and Nicole Contrada went in for her and also got injured playing goal and finishing the game. Great effort by the Panthers.

Game 5

Panthers 0 - Lindenhurst 1

Even though we lost this game, we were only one goal short of second place! This Panther team of 7 and 8-year-old girls from the NHP Wildcats proved themselves to all playing against girls 9 years and older and many of whom were twice their size! I want to thank Jessica, Katherine, Katelyn, Clare, Nicole, Dolores, Megean, Lauren and Brandi for their strength and skills in this tournament. Thanks to Ted Adams for all his help and thanks to the parents for all their support and encouragement.