The fifth-grade lacrosse team finished their 2003 season with a 6-0-1 record. They finished up the second half of the season playing all three games at home defeating Syosset 6-3, Levittown 5-2 and Bethpage 7-3. The one away game with Seaford/Wantagh was rained out and could not be rescheduled.

This team had another great year and is a pleasure to coach. All the players at young ages seem to get it and understand how to play as a team. They pass to the teammates who don't have a goal yet or take an extra step on defense to back up a player who is having a tough time. Since they played as a team it is only right to list them as a team in this article.

At midfield, Michael (the anchor) Erhardt, Billy (jump shot) Gerstner, Michael (I can go lefty) Magliocco, Sal (in your faceoff) Magliocco, Anthony (I got legs) Pizza and Bobby (who can I hit) Port. These guys worked hard all year on both ends of the field. I can't say enough about Michael Erhardt, his stats speak for themselves, 55 ground balls, two faceoffs, 13 goals and six assists. Bill, although great at midfield, volunteered to play goalie for the last game and had eight saves. Sal lost part of the year to a broken collar bone, but was back to form for the last couple of games. Michael Magliocco was our most improved player and was aggressive on defense. Anthony Pizza, a first-year player always came to play. He had his best game against Bethpage. With Billy in the goal he picked up the slack and had several ground balls and clears to keep the pressure of the defense. Bobby Port seemed to have endless energy in every game and was always searching for someone to put his shoulder into.

The attack with Jay (the goalie killer) Bartscherer, Michael (one more step) Escobar, Peter (the creaseman) Granath, Joe (quick draw) Wengler, Nicky (it wasn't me) Grimaldi and Tyler (now you see me, now you don't) White put up some great numbers as a group. They amassed 22 goals, 8 assists and 85 ground balls. Not bad for an attack facing long stick defensemen for the first time. If it wasn't Michael or Joe picking up a loose ball and getting a shot off, it was Nicky coming -from-behind with his speed and patented moves and either shooting or passing off to Peter and Jay, the creasemen. Tyler was burning up on defensemen with his speed and taking shots or making passing from the most unexpected angles.

The defense was given long sticks this year which made opposing offenses cringe. Once the defense of Brandon (I'm everywhere) Anderson, Andrew (Pokcheck) Inez, Jack (takeaway) Gorry, John (the hitman) Urbank and Bryan (clears no problem) Williams became used to the new sticks there was no mercy to be found for opposing offense, John loomed in the middle of the field always willing to introduce an opposing player's backside to the beautiful Mineola field. His presence and Brian's ability to play fantastic outside one-on-one defense and then clear the ball set up the entire defensive scheme; Brandon, Andrew and Jack played great defense knowing that John and Brian had their backs.

Joe (Broken Wing/Lil Bird) Reardon had another great season in the goal totaling 61 saves while giving up only 20 goals. There were games when he played so well the opposing team applauded him after the game.

The coaches, Tommy Granath, Joe Gorry, Steve Kalberer and Mark Parendo would like to thank the kids and parents for a great season. They would like to point out that Mark has to sit out the first game of the new season for his game bench penalty. Tommy, Joe and Steve are shocked and appalled, while Mark thinks it was all a set-up. See you all next year.