It is a rare accomplishment in sports at any level for a team to complete its entire schedule without a single defeat. The Manhasset Supersonics a CYO third grade girls' soccer team, earned this distinction in a memorable fall 2000 season.

Beginning in early September, Coaches Kathy Waters and Peter Sparacio gave the girls guidance on the fundamentals of positioning, passing and shooting, in an atmosphere that also fostered team spirit and fun. The season began with a tight 1-0 win over a fine St. Aidan's team and continued with the three more consecutive shutout wins before a single goal was even scored against the Supersonics. Forwards Alina Brugal and Meghan Grimm established themselves early in the season as consistent scoring threats, while the team's defensive corps, led by Alexa Sparacio, Victoria DiCarlo and Jenny Guidera proved to be a very stingy unit.

The team's most versatile players were Katie Leavy, Jessie Colletti, Sydney Esiason and Samantha Iskyan. They produced great scoring, goal-tending and overall scrappy play that made a big difference whenever and wherever they were needed.

The Supersonics' confidence grew with each game. As they continued to pile up victories against very competitive opponents, the team's camaraderie and teamwork was always apparent. The strong two-way play of the core of the team, midfielders Olivia Waters, Haley Gahan, Katie Guidera, Caitlin Samela and Maggie Reichenbach, fortified the Sonics by delivering key goals and clears at critical moments throughout the season. Olivia, Katie and Haley provided many momentum-changing booming kicks and set up numerous offensive opportunities, while speedy Caitlin and daring Maggie often made exciting rushes or finished off plays with impressive goals.

A clear indication of the team's excellence was its margin of victory. With a final record of 9 wins, 0 losses and one tie, the Sonics outscored its opposition by a margin of 37 goals to 4. The most exciting game of the season was a 1-0 victory over the highly skilled Long Beach team at a Point Lookout field where the cold, windy elements also provided a great challenge for these third graders.

Anyone who watched the Manhasset Supersonics play this fall saw them demonstrate not only their developing, impressive skill, but also their love for the game, their respect and affection for each other as teammates and their sportsmanship in graciousness to their opponents. A team to remember.