The Island Trees Boys' Varsity Soccer team is enjoying a very successful season with a 7-3-1 record with big wins against Hewlett, Valley Stream South, Cold Spring Harbor, Hicksville and North Shore. The team is led by captains Peter Condela, Jonathan Sguigna, Rob Silva and Dan Beale. The goalkeepers are Peter Kostaras and Peter Ruff. Goal scorers are Jonathan Sguigna 10, Rob Silva 7, Dan Beale 3 and Mike Santor with 2. Currently the Bulldogs are sitting in a tie for second, looking forward to challenging for the top spot with five games remaining.

After a slow start, the Island Trees Girls Varsity Soccer team has finally demonstrated its scoring power by putting six goals in the net in its last three games. The Lady Bulldogs defeated Clarke 2-1, tied Conference 2 Calhoun 3-3 and lost a very close match to East Meadow 3-1. Each game featured strong offensive attacks by Cathy Sbarra, Lauren Smath and goal scorers Melissa Santor, Chelsea Marciano, Alyssa Fleming and Kaitlin Schamberger. The midfielders also stepped up with some tremendous plays, as Jamie Zetterberg and Karyn Fitzpatrick, who both play center halfback, each scored key goals. Fitzpatrick's goal in the Calhoun game tied up the match and Zetterberg's goal put the Bulldogs ahead in the Clarke game. The team played its best game of the season against first place East Meadow, who has only let up two goals this season, until the Bulldogs stepped onto their field. Island Trees held East Meadow to a 1-1 tie until the last 15 minutes of the match. Kristina Ruff has done a fabulous job in goal, while defensive players Michele DiFede, Elena O'Brien, Jen D'Albenzio, Lisa Caffrey, Stephanie Lucia and Danielle Cama have created a solid backbone for the team. As the second half of the season begins, the team is ready for the challenges ahead in their quest to make the playoffs.

The Girls' JV Soccer team lost two tough games to Floral Park and Wantagh. In the first game, the Bulldogs lost a close match 3-1 to Floral Park. The game was tied at the half with Island Trees failing to score on many point blank opportunities. The Bulldogs only goal of the half was scored in the 27th minute by Kate Ludewig. In the second half, Floral Park scored two goals to come away with the 3-1 victory. In the second game, the Bulldogs were defeated 2-0 by Wantagh. Wantagh came into the game with a record of 6-0. Wantagh scored two goals in the first 20 minutes, which was enough to secure the victory. A strong game was played by Stephanie Farag, Lisa Provenzano and goalie Jennifer Grella.

On Saturday, Sept. 23, the Island Trees J.V. Football team had a tough battle with the Malverne Mules. Both the Mules and the Dawgs came out strong and played tough, but the two teams went into the second half with no points. Then the Dawgs came out in the second half and stepped it up. Quarterback Paul Wigdzinski, who threw for 139 yards, hooked up with Mike Doscher for the first touchdown of the game. The Dawgs then stopped the Mules repeatedly and caused the Mules to give the ball back to the Dawgs. The defense was strong for the whole game and many of the Dawgs put out a solid job. Kevin McGovern had a great defensive game with eight tackles, an interception and a recovered fumble. Also putting in a solid job was Jimmy Scrimo, Rem Kilfoil, Brian Bennetti, Dan Ruckert, Anthony Vecchione, Rocky Rossi, Kevin Cusker and Mike Courtney. The Dawgs drove down the field, led by Anthony DiDomenico (79 yards) and Pete Plaia (14 yards). Behind the blocking of Matt Fiorello (59 yards), DiDomenico put in the second touchdown of the game. Overall, the Dawgs played strongly.

The Boys 7th Grade "White" Soccer team is demonstrating the meaning of endurance. The team's record is 1-3 so far. The players on the 7th grade boys team are: Brian Balvin, William Busch, Ken Garger, Robert Howells, Wally Ludewig, Frank Miscioscia, Mike Murphy, Giovanni Oliveri, Kyle Ray, Nick Runge, Tom Santamauro, Rob Vilbig, Matt Wierzbicki and Zach Kevan. Coach Pagliari is proud of the team for their positive attitudes and ability to have fun while learning about the game of soccer. The team played a great game against Grand Avenue. All players gave 110 percent. Mike Murphy, John Oliveri, Frank Miscioscia and Rob Vilbig showed a lot of offensive skill. Zach Kevan, Brian Balvin, Will Busch and Wally Ludewig demonstrated the meaning of endurance. Kyle Ray played a stellar defensive game and had 10 saves when he played goalie during the second half. Rob Howells, Nick Runge and Matt Wierzbicki played a great game at defense. Ken Garger played sweeper and swept everything that came his way. Matt Wierzbicki also had 19 saves when he played goalie during the first half.

Congratulations to the Boys' 8th grade "Red" Soccer team on their victories over Mattlin and Wisdom Lane. The first game was a 7-0 win over Mattlin. Awesome goals were scored by Christian Salvage, Sean Walsh, and Brian Beissel with 1 each and Bobby Zetterberg and Mike Topel with 2 each. Excellent goaltending by Brian Marksteiner with 12 saves. Great plays were made by T. J. Fabis, Brian Spiess, Dennis Rochon, Adam Chase, Joe Paciullo and Jeff Bischoff. The second game was a 7-0 victory over Wisdom Lane. Awesome goals were scored by Bobby Zetterberg, Brian Spiess and Sean Walsh with 1 each and Christian Salvage and Mike Topel with 2 each. The Bulldogs took the game with complete control all over the field.

The Island Trees Girls' 7th grade "White" Soccer team claimed a 3-2 victory over Wantagh. Two goals were scored by leftwing Katelyn Moore, assisted by Meghan Sguigna, Sabrina Cervasioi and Courtney Lupo. Midfielder Courtney Lupo also scored a goal on a shot taken just outside the 18-yard line. "They played like a team today," said Coach Dana Friemann. "That's what I'm most proud of." Outstanding performances dominated the game by all of the players. Whoever said there is no such thing as a home field advantage?

The Girls' 8th grade "Red" Soccer team won their second game in a row in a victory over Hicksville, 4-0. Goals were scored by Gina Brewer, Jackie Augner and Kate Beale scored twice. Donna Braun and Jamie Lent each had an assist. The team was led by outstanding midfield play by Megan Carlson, Lauren O'Shea, Korin Jordan, Lori Brennan, Hillary Sciacca and Samantha Burger. The team also won their game vs. Wantagh 4-0. Goals were scored by Kate Beale, Donna Braun, Gina Brewer and Jackie Augner. The defense was outstaning, allowing only one shot on goal. Contributing to the great defense was Amanda Rossi, Megan Murphy, Lori Ehlich, Stephanie Werling, Kelly Murphy, Jessica Payton, Rachel Davids, Michelle McGurk, Grace Vinberg and Amanda Cataldo.

The Bulldog Middle School Fottball team opened their season with a thrilling 42-0 victory over the Jericho Jayhawks. The Dawgs scored on their first possession, as Vinny Ciaravino broke free on a toss and rumbled 73 yards to pay dirt with help from a bone crunching block by Chris Pazmino at the 20-yard line. Island Trees came out with a vengeance in the second half as they led by a narrow 7-0 margin. Joe Ciaravino broke things open by scoring touchdown runs of 34 and 60 yards. The second half saw him break 6 tackles and free himself from what seemed to be half of the Jayhawk defense. Michael Smith ran for a 31-yard score with Michael Wrightington catching the conversion on a tight spiral from Tom Cipley. Anthony Santonocito took a perfect reverse and scampered 60 yards for a touchdown that was called back for a penalty. On the ensuring play, Evan Mastro ran off tackle and blazed a path untouched with a 75-yard scoring play. Kyle Ludwig kicked the extra point with a perfect Kevin Yank snap and a brilliant hold from Michael Bristoll. Chris Pazmino capped off the scoring with a 42-yard bull run right through the heart of the defense. In all, the Bulldogs ran 20 plays, totaling 447 yards. Joe Ciaravino led all rushers with 110 yards. The Bulldog defense suffocated the Jayhawks, allowing only 48 total yards on the day. Stepping up defensively were Mike Cama, James Habermehl, Richard DiGregorio, Pablo Salas, Christian Blauvelt, Kevin Prykuta, Sal Cincinnato, Billy Harris, Rob Hutnik, Jonathan Pierro and Scott Smath. Coaches Savin and D'Auria are extremely pleased with the way that the team is working.