The Wheatley School varsity boys soccer team capped an undefeated season with a 3-0 victory over Westhill High School to earn the school's second New York State Championship title. The season actually began last May with the tragic death of Craig Grumet, a junior at Wheatley who broke into the starting lineup as a freshman defender and who was to have been team captain during his upcoming senior year. Team members, all of whom had been childhood friends of Craig and teammates in the local youth soccer program, dedicated their season to Craig's memory. During Craig's freshman year, he was the only member of his group of friends to earn a berth on the Varsity squad and play in the New York State finals. When Craig left the field near the end of the championship game in 2001, which Wheatley lost to Chittenagno, Craig promised Coach Bernie Hintz that the team would return to win the state finals in his senior year. Craig's teammates fulfilled that promise.

Wheatley completed the regular season with a record of 9-0-4 with an impenetrable defense that gave up only six goals. Sweeper Jordan Edelman and stopper Nikko Kapetanos, who were supported by defenders John Arcioulo and Greg Orogolio, anchored the all-senior defense. Goalkeeper Jordan Sawyer established a team record goals-against average of .33 goals per game and recorded 11 shutouts. A very balanced offense was led in scoring by junior Michael Carlos and senior Dany Rios, who scored 10 goals apiece.

With the conference championship in hand, Wheatley earned a number one seed in the Class "B" county playoffs. After a 3-0 victory over Oyster Bay, Wheatley advanced to the Nassau County title game against rival Cold Spring Harbor. This marked the seventh consecutive year that Wheatley has advanced to the County championship game. The game was a defensive battle, marked by excellent goalkeeping. Junior Paul deBarros scored the game's only goal on a header from a corner kick in the 23rd minute of the game. Next up was Babylon, the Suffolk County Class "B" Champion, in the Long Island/Southeast Regional Championship contest. After two first-half goals, the game was never in doubt and Wheatley earned its third trip to the New York State Final Four with a 2-0 win, thanks to goals by Michael Carlos and junior Andrew Reich.

The State Championships were held at the National Soccer Hall of Fame in upstate Oneonta on Nov. 20 and 21. Wheatley's semifinal opponent was Albertus Magnus, a high scoring team from Rockland County. Albertus Magnus scored the first goal of the game and remarkably, for the first time all season, Wheatley trailed in a game. The deficit lasted only10 minutes and Wheatley went on to score three unanswered goals - two by senior Kevin McPhillips and a single tally by Dany Rios. In the 33-year coaching career of Bernie Hintz, this marked the third time that a Wheatley team has advanced to the state championship game.

In many ways, the championship game typified the outstanding manner in which Wheatley performed this season. From the opening whistle, Wheatley controlled the contest, playing a possession game, dominating the midfield and building up to quality shots on goal. As usual, the defense completely shut down its opponent, allowing only three shots on goal. Also in typical Wheatley fashion, the scoring was spread among three players - Kevin McPhillips, senior Steven Bonnen and Dany Rios scored single goals. Wheatley, Long Island's only undefeated soccer team, captured its second New York State Championship by defeating Westhill 3-0. Following the game, each player removed his game jersey to reveal a T-shirt, with teammate Craig Grumet's picture and the slogan, "Still In The Game." They surrounded Craig's father, Marc Grumet, to complete an emotional season and fulfill Craig's promise. At the awards presentation, further honors were bestowed on the Wheatley team when it was announced that the Wildcats were the winners of the Sportsmanship Award for the New York State Championship Tournament.

Of the 22 team members, 15 will graduate next spring. Captain Jordan Edelman has been awarded All-State and All-Regional honors. Captain Dany Rios and Michael Carlos were recognized as All-County players and John Arciuolo earned Honorable Mention All-County honors. Recognized as All-Conference players were Kevin McPhillips, Steven Bonnen, Greg Orogolio, Nikko Kapetanos, Andrew Reich and senior Robbie Mendes.