On Saturday, October 23, the J.V. Football Bulldogs lost to an undefeated (6-0) Manhasset Indian squad by a score of 36-6. Going into the game, the injury ridden Bulldogs knew they would have to play a mistake free football game to beat this strong opponent.

Manhasset struck first, scoring a TD early in the first quarter. The determined Bulldogs came right back marching down the field to Manhasset's 30-yard line. Then the first of the Bulldogs five fumbles occurred to prematurely end a strong Bulldog effort. Though the young Bulldogs made several critical errors; they were only trailing 14-0 at halftime.

In the second half, the wheels fell off the wagon. The Indians capitalized on several fumbles deep in Bulldog territory early in the third quarter to score two easy TDs to increase their lead to 28-0. Mike Rossi had 10 rushes for 70 yards before leaving the game with a shoulder sprain. After running back James Scrimo could not continue because of injury, Paul DePasquale bravely volunteered to run the ball. But, it was fullback, Matt Fiorello, 9 rushes, 65 yards, who picked up the lone Island Trees touchdown on a one-yard scamper. Fiorello also had 30 yards on kickoff returns. Defensively, Fernando Suarez did a solid job with five tackles. Fiorello and Mike Weaver played well defensively. Cory Owen had a fumble recovery.

The Girls J.V. Soccer team finished the season strong with back to back shutouts. Goalie Erin Dodge gained her third and fourth shutouts of the year. The first game was a scoreless tie with Clarke. Excellent scoring chances by Danielle Cama and Alyssa Fleming were stopped by the Clarke goalie. In the final game of the season, the team topped Syosset 2-0. Goal scorers were Dana Rinaldi off a rebound of Alyssa Fleming's shot and the second goal was Fleming's off a feed from Melanie Hallas. Excellent work by defenders Kate Schamberger, Diana Connolly, Elena O'Brien, Danielle Cama with help from halfbacks Ida Falcone, Jamie Zetterberg and Keri Spiess all contributed to the win. Great season girls!

The Boys J.V. Soccer team entered the last week of their season with a record of 4-2-4. After an impressive record of 8-3-3 last year, the Bulldogs would only need not to lose one out of its remaining three games to earn their second straight winning season under second year coach Chris Neglia.

On October 22, the boys played Valley Stream South. Due to injuries and three players promoted to the Varsity team, the Bulldogs played with the required 11 players and no subs. Players Chris O'Brien and Matt Lorenzini had to come out of the game at times because of injuries. The team played with nine players, but this did not stop the team from winning the game. Joe Swicicki scored two goals to give the team its fifth win of the season and Peter Kostaras recorded the shutout which enabled the Bulldogs to capture another winning record.

The next day the team faced Garden City. The team played outstanding even though the result was a loss. The team once again was short on players and finally the injuries caught up to them. The score was 5-2. Diego Orellana and Mike Saladino scored goals. Chris Lorenzini, A.J. Latuputty, Julio Barea and Pete McAllister played a tremendous game. The last game of the season came against Jericho. Julio Barea scored off a corner kick by Diego Orellana. The goal came with ten minutes left in the game and it gave the team its sixth win of the year. Peter Ruff and Peter Kostaras played a great game to help Island Trees win its final game of the season. The team finished the season with a 6-3-5 record. "Another successful season" said Coach Neglia. The 1999 players include: Rob Bischoff, Julio Barea, Brian Chase, Josh Chacon, Lou Groner, Peter Kostaras, A.J. Latuputty, Chris Lorenzini, Matt Lorenzini, Peter McAllister, Joe McCauley, Joe Orlando, Chris O'Brien, Diego Orellana, Peter Ruff, Joe Swicicki, Mike Saladino and Charlie Truelson.

The Island Trees Middle School Football team, for the third consecutive year, head into week four undefeated. The Baymen of Oyster Bay walked into the Dawg Pound and became the third victim as the Bulldogs improved to 3-0 with a 36-6 victory. Once again, the defense was spectacular, limiting the Baymen to only one late score and one first down. Kevin Yank, Vincent Kelty and Joe Ciserano stepped up with ferocious bone crushing tackles. Yank also came up big with a fumble recovery deep in Bayman territory. Kevin McGovern at QB engineered this very efficient offense to five touchdowns. Leading the way with two TDs, was Anthony DiDomenico, who finished the day with 132 yards on only five carries. Vincent Ciaravino, who knocks down anything in his path, also runs very effectively, scoring twice on four carries. Closing out the scoring on the day with a 20-yard scamper was Michael Doscher. DiDomenico added three kicked extra points and has five on the season. Running the ball with authority were Peter Plaia, Michael Wrightington, Chris Pazmino, Michael Cama and Justin O'Donnell. Leading the way on each offensive drive are the unsung heroes in the trenches. The line has been opening up huge holes lead by Kevin Fusci, George Fotedis, Daniel Cervasio, Greg Schwab, Anthony Vecchione and J.C. Stellakis. The Bulldogs go for their fourth win next against the Jericho Jayhawks. Coaches Savin and D'Auria are very proud of the boys and their work ethic so far. This group has the makings of being one of those special teams.

The Boys White Soccer team played Wantagh and ran circles around them. This team just gets better and better every day. Brian Beissel, Sean Walsh, Mike Topel, Adam Chase and Joe Paciullo had an excellent game playing forward. Robert Lovaglio, Chris Salvage, Bobby Zetterberg and Brian Marksteiner set up the offense perfectly and played a great game. The demolition defense players who were Sean Lehosky, Joe Reyes, Brian Spiess, Sean Thomson, Dennis Rochon and the sweeper, T. J. Fabis, stopped Wantagh in their tracks. Goalie Russell Davis provided the White team with another shut out, saving all 11 shots on net. Spiess gave off an electrifying signal that feared the Wantagh's offense. Marksteiner showed that not only is he good in the net, but on the field he plays like Pele. Zetterberg, Topel, Walsh and Salvage scored goals with two goals. Spiess, Marksteiner and Topel made assists.

The Seventh grade Boys Soccer team had their next to last game against Howitt. They started off strong and scored an early goal in the first period. Then the Bulldogs turned it up a notch and showed great effort and skill. Sean Walsh did some damage playing left wing and center halfback. Mike Topel, Joe Paciullo, Brian Beissel, Adam Chase, Sean Thomson and Russell Davis played great offense. Wait, Davis the star goalie playing right wing? That's right and star goalie even scored a goal for the Bulldogs. Robert Lovaglio, Chris Salvage and Bobby Zetterberg all played an amazing game at midfield. Joe Reyes, Sean Lehosky, Dennis Rochon, Brian Spiess and All Star T.J. Fabis played a remarkable game at defense. Brian Marksteiner had seven saves in net. Chris Salvage ended the game in net with four saves. Walsh, Chase and Davis scored goals. Lovaglio, Spiess and Thomson made assists. Final score Bulldogs 3, Howitt 1.

The Seventh grade Girls Soccer team lost a tough one to Hicksville 1-0. Despite being down the entire game, the girls fought hard and dominated play for much of the game, creating scoring opportunities even into the final seconds. Lindsay Hallas continued her excellent play by hustling all over the field pestering the opponents for the ball. Amanda Rossi and Kelly Murphy played excellent defensively, constantly keeping the ball in our offensive end of the field. The dynamic duos of Megan Carlson and Lauren O'Shea as well as Gina Brewer and Caitlin Beale created many scoring chances for the Lady Dawgs.

The Seventh grade Girls Soccer team beat a tough Wantagh squad 2-1. The girls came out with a tremendous amount of intensity and played hard right from the start. Emma Cruz gave the girls an early 1-0 lead on a great shot that came from a beautiful pass by Gina Brewer. After Wantagh tied it up, Lindsay Hallas scored late in the game to give the Lady Dawgs the lead for good. Defensively, the Lady Dawgs were led by Amanda Rossi, Kelly Murphy, Rachel Davids and a great effort from Amanda Cataldo. Samantha Burger, Hillary Sciacca and Donna Braun set the tone with their intense play throughout. Jackie Augner, Caitlin Beale, Megan Carlson and Lauren O'Shea contributed offensively. The goalkeeping of Nicole Carrazana and Jessica Ostrowski kept them in the game throughout.

The Boys Red Soccer team played a great game against Wantagh, but came up short 6-2. Giuseppe Agostino and John DeMasi scored goals. Excellent plays were made by Marc Kantor, T.J. Young, Mike Garger, Paul Caffrey, Charlie DeRienzo, Greg Dolen, Craig Simmons and Bruce Davidson in goal. Good effort guys.

The Boys Red Soccer team ended a great season with a 1-0 game against Wisdom Lane. Mr. Keyser would like to thank the entire team for a wonderful game and season. Great job guys!