At the end of August, last year's state finalist runner-ups began their training. It was a hard act to follow for the Roslyn High School varsity soccer team, winning both the 2002 Nassau County and Long Island Championships, but the boys were determined. The season started off with its ups and downs and the team ended its regular season with a record of 6-7-3. Still, the Roslyn players and Coach Juan Mejia felt the magic and the momentum growing in those last three games of the season with a close loss to Wheatley, a tie with Glen Cove and a win over Jericho. Quietly, you could hear the murmur, "We can do it!"

Entering the playoffs in fifth place, Roslyn beat Wantagh 1-0 with a goal by Michael Sloyer and moved on to the quarterfinals against rival Cold Spring Harbor. In a heated confrontation, Roslyn scored in the first half with a corner kick by A.J. Reisman headed into the goal by Jesse Siegelman. A 15-yarder by Eric Paulenoff gave Roslyn a 2-0 lead.

But, with 20 minutes left in the second half, Cold Spring Harbor's frustrations and physical play led to a rumble on the field. A controversial red card was given to Roslyn's Sam Neill, even though a video-tape of the game later proved Neill innocent of any rough play. Two appeals were made, but officials would not change their ruling and Neill was not allowed to play in the next game.

Worried about their performance without key mid-fielder Neill, the Roslyn team set out to Bethpage State Park Sunday morning, Nov. 2 for the Nassau County semifinal game against Wheatley (15-0-4). Since Wheatley had beaten Roslyn twice in the regular season, Roslyn was clearly the underdog. Nevertheless, the Roslyn team, led by the energy of their relentless captains Jeff Swersky and Eric Paulenoff, walked onto the field with heart and determination.

A crowd of about 800 filled the stands as the Roslyn and Wheatley teams played head to head leaving the score 0-0 as the final seconds ticked away. Shots on goal by Scott Sohn, Jeff Swersky, Eric Paulenoff, A.J. Reisman and Lee Hanfling proved unsuccessful, but no one was ready to give up. With cheers of "Who Let the Dogs Out" and a magnificent wave by the Roslyn crowd, winning suddenly became a possibility.

Roslyn's outstanding defense of Evan Diamond, Ross Lehrer, Jon Hight, Michael Sloyer and Ben Weindorf, along with a tremendous performance by goalie Jon Elsner, held Wheatley scoreless into a fourth overtime as Jon Kessler and Lee Hanfling filled in for Neill. Then, with 1:13 left on the clock, Wheatley scored, ending the Roslyn season.

It's not always easy following in the footsteps of last year's heroes. But the Roslyn boys tightened their cleats and made 2003 a lasting memory of their own. Congratulations to the Roslyn Boys' Varsity Soccer Team ... always champions!