The Boys Varsity Soccer team is at the midpoint of their season with a record of 3-4. The Bulldogs lost a couple of tough games, but seem ready to change the tide in the second half of the season. They have big games coming up against returning Nassau County champions Valley Stream South, long time rivals Garden City and Class "C" powerhouse Cold Spring Harbor. Senior captains Rich Staab and Tim Law will try to stop the other teams from scoring, while James Keating, Stephen D'Ambrosio and Mike Santor will be trying to score the goals for the Bulldogs. Seniors John McCauley, Rob Saladino, James Keating, Matt Hallas, Tim Law and Rich Staab are focused and ready to make a charge into the playoffs.

The game that got away. On Saturday, October 4, the J.V. Football Bulldogs lost 20-14 to the Valley Stream North Spartans. The Bulldogs came out stale and the Spartans took advantage of the situation. They took an early 8-0 lead three minutes into the game. The Bulldogs offense stalled early and VSN blocked a Zach Strauss punt to give the Spartans great field position. VSN increased their lead to 14-0 shortly afterwards. The sleepy dogs finally awoke midway through the second quarter. Mike Rossi scored on a 62-yard touchdown scamper to make the score 14-6. Rossi's numbers for the day were 27 carries for 220 yards and 14 points. The Bulldogs cut the lead to 20-14 on a 9-play 80-yard touchdown drive capped off with a five-yard run by running back Rossi. A late fourth quarter interception by Rossi at midfield almost set up the Bulldogs second late game comeback. A costly penalty negated a 35-yard first down pass by Jimmy Lyons down to the Spartans 10-yard line. Strauss made seven solo tackles on defense.

Going into game four vs. perennial powerhouse Locust Valley, the Bulldogs knew they would have their hands full. Due to several injuries to key Bulldog starting players, the team was counting on new names to step it up. Though the team played well, the Bulldogs were defeated by a score of 34-21. Locust Valley returned the opening kickoff for an 85-yard touchdown to take an early 6-0 lead. That did not discourage the Bulldogs. They executed a 9-play 60-yard touchdown to tie the game. Dan Sullivan's kick for the point after made the score 7-6. The second quarter was all Locust Valley, scoring 14 points to make the score 20-7. Though the Bulldogs had their opportunities, they couldn't capitalize on them. In the third quarter, the Bulldogs made the score 20-13 on a 5-play 80-yard drive, but that's as close as the Bulldogs would come. Locust Valley scored 14 unanswered points to pull away. Charlie Lombardi had a great day on specials and defense making eight solo tackles. Brian Bennetti also played well on specials and defense. James Scrimo had two TD's on eight carries for 85 yards. Rossi had 298 all-purpose yards, 24 carries/196 yards and a kick return of 102 yards.

The millennium edition of the Island Trees Middle School Football team opened up the season on the road against the Vikings of North Shore. The Bulldogs never trailed as they took their opening possession into the end zone on an Anthony DiDomenico 40-yard sweep to take an early 6-0 lead. DiDomenico would later add a 40-yard TD run on his way to a 240-yard day. Vincent Ciaravino rumbled for scores of 75 and 63 yards and had most Viking players wondering why they ever took up the game as his crunching defensive play kept the Vikings dry- docked for most of the day. The Bulldogs final TD came on a Justin O'Donnell 45-yard interception return. Kevin McGovern threw a strike to Peter Plaia for the conversion to close out the scoring at 33-18. The Dawgs amassed 507 yards rushing with rookie Michael Wrightington contributing 58 yards, while Plaia, Joe Ciserano and Anthony Rinaldi added 38, 20 and 16 yards respectively.

Key interceptions by Michael Cama and Plaia stunned the Vikings as they tried to go up top. The stifling defensive performances of Ciaravino, DiDomenico, Michael Doscher, Ryan Aguirre, James Albert, George Fotedis, Kevin Fusci, Anthony Vecchione, Dan Cervasio, J.C. Stellakis, Greg Schwab, Michael Courtney, Kevin Yank and James Habermehl kept North Shore stuck in reverse for most of the day. Coaches Savin and D'Auria like the way the boys are developing and with the help of assistants Mike Bonsignore and H.J. Schroeder, see a promising season ahead. Next up are the Rebels of Great Neck North.

The Boys White Soccer team went head to head against Wisdom Lane. Russell Davis played in net and had 6 saves. T.J. Fabis, the All-Star Sweeper, played awesome sweeping Wisdom out of the Bulldog's territory. Goals were scored by Mike Topel with two, Brian Beissel with one and Robert Lovaglio with one. TJ Fabis, Topel, Bobby Zetterberg and Dennis Rochon made assists. Chris Salvage was showing off his moves and running circles around the Wildcats. Sean Walsh, Brian Spiess, Adam Chase and Sean Thomson played great offense. Brian Marksteiner and Joe Paciullo played excellent at halfback stopping the Wildcats from moving the ball down field. Sean Lehosky, Dennis Rochon, Joe Reyes, Sean Thomson and TJ Fabis played a solid defense ceasing Wisdom's offense. Final score Bulldogs 4, Wisdom Lane 1. Great game played by all!

There is no stopping the 7th grade Boys White Soccer team. The Bulldogs played a great game against Bethpage. Once again Marksteiner and Russell Davis saved every ball shot on net, providing the Bulldogs with their second shut out game of the soccer season. Goals were scored by Brian Beissel with one, Salvage with one, Sean Walsh with two, Brian Spiess with two, Adam Chase with one, TJ Fabis with one and Topel with not one, not two, not three, but four goals. Walsh, Thomson, Salvage and Chase made assists. Great game played by all. Final score Bulldogs 12, Bethpage 0.

The Girls 8th grade Red Soccer team had a tie with Wisdom Lane (1-1). Jackie Mullervy scored the only point. She had help from Kate Ludewig, Jessica Galella and Stephanie Farag. Angela Barea and Shannon McAdam helped to kick the ball up. McAdam helped to throw in the ball and she threw it far. Lisa LoFaso and Lindsay Burleson also helped out at the sides. Jessica Frizalone helped out in passing the ball up. There were many shots on goal.

Mr. Garcia's 8th grade Lady Dawgs suffered a tough loss against Wantagh. Stephanie Farag made an awesome penalty kick scoring the only goal of the game. Christina LoFaso, Melissa Ritz and Lisa LoFaso were their goalkeepers for the game and all made a great effort. Jessica Frizalone, Jackie Mullervy, Jessica Galella and Gina Lippert made great plays. Stoppers Romina Chacon, Shannon McAdam and Angela Barea played a tough game and tried their hardest. The defense of Jessica Wigdzinski, Lindsay Ray, Jackie Marra, Christina Tomasosky, Mary Seremeta and Jaimie Wozniak gave it their all and gave the other team a real challenge. A great game was played by all.