The Mustangs are back. A training camp that opened with so much optimism has generated quite a start to the 2002 season for the Mineola High School Varsity Football Team. Mineola served notice that it will be a factor in the Conference IV race by winning its first two games.

The way the opener began, though, was not exactly the way Coach Dan Guido had planned. Friends Academy rolled to a 21-6 second quarter lead before Mineola found its game. After Friends scored the first touchdown of the game, the Mustangs came back with a touchdown of their own on an Adam Minsky 3-yard run. But, Friends reached paydirt two more times in the second quarter. It was looking kind of bleak for the Mustangs. But, a second quarter drive culminated in quarterback Rich Medlock's 9-yard scoring toss to Jim Holubowich. Medlock then ran in the two-point conversion and Mineola was back within 7 points at 21-14. In the third quarter, Medlock threw his second scoring pass of the day, this time to his brother, Dan Medlock. It was a 17-yard hook-up. Matt Bispo added the extra point and it was all even at 21. It all came down to the fourth quarter. Friends seemed to have the answer. After enduring Mineola's 15-point run, Friends got back on the board with the huge touchdown, but missed the extra point. As it turned out, that was the key play of the game. Because, Minsky scored his second touchdown on a 10-yard run to tie the score. Bispo's extra point gave Mineola its only lead of the game. Fourth quarter interceptions from Rich Medlock and Chris Egner sealed the opening day victory.

Mineola's home opener turned into a great day. Terrific weather and a good crowd were the backdrop to the Mustangs second win of the young season, a 28-14 stroll past Roosevelt. But, the Rough Riders looked like they were going to try and spoil the day by scoring first to take a 6-0 lead in the first quarter. The Mustangs responded with a pair of second quarter touchdowns to take a lead they would never relinquish. The Medlocks hooked-up on the first score of the day as Rich hit Dan with a 6-yard pass for a score. Matt Bispo added the kick. Medlock threw the second of his three scoring passes on the day, when he reached Jerelle Harrison with a 19-yard toss. Another Bispo P-A-T and it was 14-6 at halftime. The Mustangs tacked another touchdown on the Hampton Street Stadium scoreboard in the third quarter when Medlock and Steve Ricciardi combined on an 8-yard scoring pass. Bispo's extra point made it 21-6 after three quarters. Medlock scored the final touchdown in the fourth quarter on a 2-yard keeper. Bispo's fourth extra point of the day put the finishing touches on the Mustangs scoring for the day. Roosevelt punched another score across in the fourth quarter for the final margin. Rich Medlock connected on 14 of his 21 passes, good for 155 yards and 3 touchdowns, while also scoring once himself. Danny Medlock carried the ball 15 times for 81 yards, while snaring two catches for 18 yards and a touchdown. Adam Minsky also had an all-around day, rushing 11 times for 47 yards and making 4 catches for another 52 yards, while Steve Riccardi had two catches for 50 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, Jim Holubowich led the way for a unit that held Roosevelt to 80 yards rushing an just one pass completion. Holubowich made 12 tackles and had four assists.

The Mineola High Schol Boys Varsity Soccer Team enters the 2002 season with great expectations. After losing nearly all of its scoring to graduation before the 2001 season, Mineola slumped to a 1-9-and-2 record in Conference B-III last season. So, the Mustangs were moved down to Conference B-IV for this season. But, 6th year Coach Paul Pereira welcomed back eight starters. So, the aim this season is to try and nail down that one playoff spot that comes from B-IV by winning the league title. Coach Pereira told me in the spring that he made his case to remain in the higher league, but was denied. So, now, he wants to win the new conference. The coach says, "The veteran defense, led by senior goalkeeper Greg Weiss, and senior sweeper George Barros, will keep the score down and give the offense the opportunity to win the close games." In profiling his team, Coach Pereira has this to say about each of his key players:

Greg Weiss, Sr., GK, returning 3-year starter, named to All-Conference team as a junior, earned a solid 1.75 goals against average in 2001.

George Barros, Sr., 3rd year varsity player, plays every minute of every game, tough, solid sweeper, who will anchor the defense.

Vito Errico, Jr., 2nd year varsity player, started at stopper as a sophomore, solid, skilled player, who can also contribute offensively.

Rui Ribeiro, Sr., aggressive defender, speed, strength and skills make him an indispensable member.

Fabio De Oliveira, Jr., 2nd year varsity player, will be a factor in offense as a set-up man, good sense of the game.

Jasen Moston, Jr. 2nd year varsity player, came into season in great shape, will run the midfield and distribute the ball, good skills.

Matt Shanahan, Jr., solid defender, gives 100 percent on every play, has speed and size, not easy to beat.

Matt Bispo, Sr., 3rd year varsity player, good all-around athlete, will bring experience and leadership to the team.

Alex Tinoco, Sr., forward, who looks to increase the team scoring from last season, has worked hard in off-season.

Kevin Azevedo, Sr. forward, who will help with offense.

Coach Pereira also pointed to three hot newcomers on the Mustang squad. They are midfielder Helder Mendes, forward Peter Marson and Ramon Valente, who plays both midfield and defense. In talking about the competition for the B-IV crown, Pereira listed Friends Academy and Sewanhaka as the chief roadblocks for the Mustangs. Friends has a 4-year varsity starter in Josh Trott, who is All-County. Sewanhaka's speed and skill will give most teams a lot of trouble.

It appears that Coach Pereira's pre-season optimism has been well-founded. The Mustangs have started the season winning their first 8 games. The campaign began with a 4-1 non-league victory at Locust Valley. Peter Marson scored the first of his two goals 30 seconds into the game. Mineola then opened the annual Mustang Cup Tournament with a 3-0 win over Valley Stream North. Once again, Marson started the scoring with the first of his two goals 12 minutes into the second half. The next day, the Mustangs won the tournament title in an exciting contest against Carey High School. Defenses dominated as the game went to a shootout with the score tied at zero. Goaltender Greg Weiss stopped the 7th penalty kick to give Mineola the win after Vito Errico had scored for Mineola on the kick right before that. After enjoying their tournament success, the Mustangs notched a 6-0 non-league win over West Hempstead. Helder Mendes scored twice in the first half. Greg Weiss notched his third straight shutout. Mineola opened Conference B-IV play with a 2-1 win at Friends Academy. Peter Marson scored in the first half and Alex Tinoco scored what turned out to be the winner with 13 minutes left in the game. Coach Pereira felt this win was particularly significant, since Newsday had picked Friends as the pre-season favorite to win the conference. Mineola then jumped back out of the league to post a 1-0 win at Roslyn. Fabio De Oliveira scored off Matt Bispo's through ball in the 37th minute. Greg Weiss only had to make two saves to record his fourth shutout. Mineola returned home for its second conference game and had to scratch and claw from behind to edge Oyster Bay 4-3. Helder Mendes scored twice in a 30-second span in the second half, the second coming off a header from Fabio De Oliveira. Two days later, Mineola went to Clarke and came home with a 3-1 win. Rui Ribeiro, Ramon Valente and Fabio De Oliveira scored.

The Mineola Girls Varsity Soccer Team lost some key players from the 2001 team. But, 6th year coach Coach Christine Wiedman has a host of players returning from that team along with some exciting newcomers for 2002. Wiedman says, "I expect my girls to work hard, try their best and to play "soccer," "kick-and-chase." I have an extremely talented group of girls this season. If all goes well, we should be seen in the playoffs this year." In profiling her squad for the season, Wiedman had this to say about each of her players:

Theresa Dolan, Sr., captain, a work horse, she never stops running; she's improved tremendously on her crossing abilities.

Denise Fitzpatrick, Sr., captain, a phenominal defender, can also score if needed, her throw-ins are, by far, the highlight of our games.

Joanna Canning, Jr., captain, a change of position sits her in front of my goalkeeper as the sweeper, in charge of the defense.

Maryanne Georgeou, Jr., extremely fast and can outrun any defender, has a gift of making things happen, causes a lot of scoring chances for us.

Melissa Hock, Sr., extremely talented and skilled player, field vision is immeasurable, has a knack for assisting and scoring goals.

Allyson Murphy, Sr., tremendous goalkeeper, and asset to have on the back line.

Nikole Tsabasis, Sr., another speed demon, will beat any defender to the ball, has a threatening cross and nose for the goal.

Angelina Martinez, Sr., my solidest central midfielder, will play hard until the final whistle.

Alison Carnabuci, Jr., returning defender, playing a great right fullback.

Coach Wiedman also lists five hot newcomers, who will add a lot to the team this season:

Michelle McGuinness, sophomore, strong midfield player who reads the game very well.

Caitlin Herrera, sophomore, hard-working forward who can find the goal and score.

Kirsten Bubelis, sophomore, up-and-coming defender, has tons of talent and winds the ball 95 percent of the time.

Katie Steen, sophomore, utility player, she has tremendous soccer talent.

Margaret Phelan, Jr., utility player, able to play any position, tremendous work ethnic.

In looking at the competition this year in Conference B-VI, Coach Wiedman says,. "All of our opponents will be rough, but I believe that my girls will rise to any and all challenges they face, they will try their very best and not give up or give in."

The Lady Mustangs fell in their season opener to Carey 3-0, although the game was scoreless at halftime. Always rugged Wheatley then handed Mineola 4-1 setback. Melissa Hock scored the Mustangs lone goal in the first half. The next game was a heartbreaking 3-2 overtime loss to Glen Cove. Denise Fitzpatrick had a first half goal while Maryanne Georgeou scored in the second half. Mineola came up big on the road, winning a conference game at Great Neck North 2-1. Nikole Tsabasis and Maryanne Georgeou each had a goal and an assist while Allyson Murphy had 6 saves in the victory. The next time out, Mineola got smothered by Floral Park 7-0. Next, the Mustangs lost to Hicksville 7-3. The game was tied at halftime 3-3. Mineola outshot Hicksville 15-13, but couldn't find the net in the second half. Allyson Murphy had a busy afternoon, making 13 saves. Sewanhaka edged Mineola 1-0 in another Conference B-VI match-up. The long goal for the visitors came with 15 minutes remaining in the contest. Allyson Murphy made 13 saves. Once again, the Mustangs outshot their opponent 14-13.

The Mineola High School Girls Varsity Volleyball Coach, Janna Balsamo, continues to try and rebuild the Mustang Program. The improvements of this year's squad is readily apparent to those who watch the team play from day-to-day, if not in the final results. After nursing her 2001 squad through a landmine-filled season that saw the Lady Mustangs not win a single set, the 2002 team is playing much closer matches and occasionally winning a set. Despite the hard work and improvement, Mineola has dropped its first four regular season matches.

Meanwhile, the JV Volleyball team has found some success. Coach Sue Kennedy's girls lost their season opener to West Hempstead 3-0, but, Coach Kennedy reports that Joanna Cohen and Samantha Hegmann led the serving and defensive efforts. Janet Holler, Jess Napolitano and Courtney Barry played in their first competition, while Roseanne Mercurio was lost to an injury. The Junior Lady Mustangs bounced back, though, and beat Garden City in their next match 3 games to 2. According to Coach Kennedy, "The girls showed great team skills and communication." Then, the JV squad put the goose egg on their opponent, beating Plainedge 3-0, Coach Kennedy noted, "The team has shown great improvement and the team is building its skills. We had great serving from Roseanne Mercurio, who returned from her injury. We also got some great saves and attacks from Amy Kemmler and Jessica Petraglia."