The motto of the Long Island Junior Soccer League is "building character through soccer." The Mineola Power under 13 girls' team is a living example of that motto. After a spring 2004 season that ended with the team in last place without a victory, the girls regrouped for the fall campaign. The team had always been very solid defensively, but the girls knew they would have to increase their offensive output to win some games.

After a season opening tie against the Island Trees Freedom, the Power earned their first victory against the Great Neck Cleats, 2-0. At the midway point of the season the girls had amassed a record of 3-0-2 which was good enough to put the team in second place. The girls knew that they would have a chance at the division title if they continued to play well. The emphasis on improving the offense was working as the Power outscored their opponents 12-6 through week five.

Goalkeepers Alesa Kolenovic and Emily Willis were both very effective at stopping opponents' attacks. The Power defense is anchored by team captain Julie Novak along with Stephanie Monroe, Casey Siwinski and Mary Torrance. Midfielders include Tina Basile, Kristen Hock, Emily Mooney, Meg Posch and Jacklyn Sinisi. Forwards are Tess Alexander, Samantha Basile, Jessica Breslin, Briana Valentine and Leighmarie Weber.

The second half of the season began with a victory over Cold Spring Harbor and back to back ties with Island Trees and Great Neck. The team remained in second place, a position they had held since the first week of the season. The team finally got the chance to contest first place when the Great Neck Cleats defeated the division leading Island Trees Freedom 2-0 in week nine. If the Power could gain victories in their last two games, they would take the division title. Due to a weather postponement, that meant back to back games during a recent weekend to end the season.

The team did a masterful job of controlling a Saturday game against the HBC Blazers and came away with a 2-0 victory with goals scored by Samantha Basile and Briana Valentine. The season would all come down to a Sunday finale against Glen Cove. A much improved Glen Cove squad relished the spoiler role and made it tough going for the Power. In a back and forth battle it finally took three goals from Samantha Basile and a tie breaking goal from Jessica Breslin to secure a 4-3 win and their first ever division championship.

The Mineola Power finished the fall season with a record of 6-0-4, outscoring their opponents 23-13. Jess Breslin led the scoring with 9 goals for the season. Not only did this group of girls display hard work and determination to come back from their winless spring season, they did it with class. Besides receiving their championship trophies the girls also earned the gold level sportsmanship patch to display on their uniforms. This honor is awarded to teams that win the sportsmanship award for their division in consecutive seasons,

The defending champs will start the spring 2005 season on March 20 with a 1:20 p.m. start in Port Washington.