The Albertson Atomics BU-11 soccer travel team capped their regular season with a splash by dousing the title hopes of the Bayside Vipers in a rain soaked encounter in the finale of the 2002 fall schedule. The Atomics finished with a 7-2 record in LIJSL Nassau Division 5 and will train locally this winter before returning to league play in the spring. The team completed the year with a great mix of activity between tournaments, State Cup and divisional games finishing with a strong overall mark of 14-2-1.

The Atomics met the undefeated and first place tied Bayside Vipers on the campus of Fort Totten, the legendary Army base beneath the spires of the Throgs Neck Bridge, on a miserable Nov. 16 Saturday afternoon. The conditions were ripe for an upset but Albertson was set on its heels off an opposing goal in the first minute when the shredded turf underestimated the speed of the Vipers. A difficult first half was made treacherous in many ways as footing and the crown of the field caused a definitive home advantage.

The Vipers struck again just two minutes before the half when Keeper Ben Newman could not handle a tough chance made more challenging by the constant mist and mud in his hands and face. The Atomics, as usual, would respond from the brink of the drink. All season long, the locals showed a resolute commitment that the elements of the final weekend would not change. The turning point came seconds before the halftime whistle when Ben Carus sailed a drop pass to Nick Franzini who blasted a hard shot into the gut of the keeper. Luke Unger sat on the doorstep and pounced when the goalie fumbled to cut the lead to 1-2. This late tally changed the momentum of the match.

The first 15 minutes of the second half was a struggle on the part of both teams to stay upright and generate any ballast. However, several halftime adjustments by the coaching staff enabled the Atomics to halt the storm. These adjustments included player realignments at both ends of the field to ignite the offense and maintain defense. It worked to perfection. Coach Barry Carus inserted Matt Goldberg in the box (four saves, the last of which sealed the victory, in a scoreless second half) and moved Ben Newman to striker in time to convert a Ben Carus sweep for a tie game at 16 minutes. Four minutes later, Joey Mazzola sliced down the sideline off a dumped ball by Unger and swooped in on goal for a 3-2 advantage.

The Vipers mounted an attack in the ever worsening atmosphere but could not penetrate the strong defense of Billy Schlesinger, Mike Merlo, Andrew Ines, Spencer Schwartz and TJ Winters. Mike Corrado, playing forward at a critical time, just missed his first goal on a beautiful breakaway. The shot, affected by soggy leather, skidded wide of the net. Evan Greenberg and Alex Werman were solid at striker and midfield, respectively, spelling all the dirt encrusted Atomics in an absolutely chilling performance against the Bayside Boys.

The Atomics took to the turf at Harbor Links one week earlier in their final home game against a well schooled Glen Cove Scorpions group. The game was a defensive battle throughout where no team could capitalize. The Atomics had chances early behind five first half corner kicks but could not convert on these opportunities. Both teams nearly made the lead when Glen Cove had two near misses scoot through the crease while Winters slammed a 50 yard field goal that landed a foot short. Newman was again splendid between the pipes with six saves in the opening sequence. The pressure formed as the game toiled with the Scorpions missing an indirect kick in the first six minutes of half number two.

The Atomics would finally make the difference. Striker Unger took a perfect deflection from Mazzola off a Werman cross and scored the game's only blemish. It was one of the few good shots from either team as the game was dominated in the corners. Gritty play was witnessed by Schwartz, Schlesinger and Merlo while Franzini peppered the iron with his team leading five shots. Benjamin Carus was his usual marionette as his feet danced with or without the sphere. Andy Ines played an outstanding first half before being sidelined with a hamstring pull and Michael Corrado spelled the middies at key points during the game. Teammates Goldberg and Greenberg advanced the cause but could not penetrate a solid Scorpions keeper from their striker positions.

The Atomics finished alone in third place in the fifth division. In addition, they have advanced to the quarterfinals of the State Cup Tournament to be decided in the spring months. With the strong work ethic promoted by coaches Carus and Jason Schwartz, the team has grown as a unit and formed a family despite significant roster changes at the season outset. The team also set new attendance standards thanks to friends and relatives alike. A bright future appears to lie ahead for this group thanks to the spirited training of Paul Riley's, Joe McNab. The Atomics will move to the indoor circuit for the winter in an informal setting designed to improve foot skills and keep the boys on their toes and dribbling year-round.