As the fall sports season at Mineola High School comes to an end, the varsity football team is in the playoffs, the varsity girls volleyball team is in the playoffs, and the boys varsity soccer team lost a heartbreaker in the first round of the playoffs.

The football team needs only to win the last game of the regular season to clinch a playoff spot, and Saturday they did it. The very tough "B" conference has given the Mustangs their share of trouble this season, but the team has held on to win the important games, including their season opener against powerhouse Garden City and Saturday's clincher against Wantagh (See story on this page). We wish them the best in post season play.

Later in this column, you will read about the great season that the boys varsity soccer team had, and how they made some impressions on Nassau County soccer in their playoff game against Garden City, the #2 seed in the county. Mineola was seeded #15 ¬ a true David and Goliath story.

Lastly, the girls varsity volleyball team is currently in the playoffs. We will report on their progress as the season continues. Good luck to all of our teams as they represent the Mineola school community in the Nassau County playoffs.

On Oct. 23, the girls varsity volleyball team finished first out of seven teams at the Herricks Invitational Tournament. The girls played an exciting final match against Elmont and won their first tournament in several years. Lauren Niewender received all-tournament player and the rest of the girls played outstanding as well.

Despite a heartbreaking loss in the first round of the Nassau County playoffs at the hands of a powerhouse Garden City team, the Mustangs have much to celebrate. The team found itself in the playoffs for the first time since 1992 by posting a 5-4-3 record in a very competitive conference. The Mustangs guaranteed their spot in the playoffs by tieing Lynbrook in a hard fought game, led by the defense of Jonathan Debrich and Justin Clingo, both juniors.

In the playoffs the Mustangs drew 15th seed and had to face second-ranked Garden City. The first half ended 0-0 with both teams missing opportunities to jump ahead. The second half was scoreless for 30 minutes before Garden City jumped ahead on a deflection in front of the Mineola net.

With less than five minutes in the game, junior forward Paul Bispo took a long pass down the right side of the field and, in full stride, ripped a shot in the lower left corner of the net that beat the Garden City keeper. That sent the game into overtime. The Trojans eventually brought the Mustangs' season to an end in overtime. Coach Pereira told his players to "hold their heads high and to walk off the field standing tall," knowing that a 15th seed nearly upset a second seed.

The boys JV soccer team finished their season with an impressive 3-2 victory over Lynbrook to give them a final record of 8 wins and 4 losses. Joe Cerulli and Leandro Freitas both scored one goal apiece to give the team a 2-0 lead at halftime.

After Lynbrook tied the game at two, Gabe Moreira scored the game-winning goal with one minute and 30 seconds remaining in the game. Excellent play by Matt Bispo, Craig Gunder, Matt Aloy and Alex Tinoco helped ensure the victory. Mr. Cavalluzzo would like to thank all the members of the team for an excellent season.

The boys eighth grade soccer team finished a tough season filled with a competetive schedule. The highlights, according to Coach Silverstein, were a 5-4 overtime loss to archrival Garden City, and a 5-1 victory over North Shore.

Special kudos go to captains Peter Marson, Jason Moston and Matt Shanahan. Peter led the Mustangs in goals for the second straight year. The defense was led by newcomers Robert Bridges and John Boland, with help from veterans such as Vito Errico, Jogo Sousa, Ben Molina, Roberto Ramalhete, Jimmy Francis, Ramon Valente and Amato Ianelli.

The strive for excellence winners were Chris Silverman, Daniel Esteves and John Boland, who showed tremendous heart and effort throughout the entire year.