Mineola PAL Chiefs Update: November 5, 2009

Eight-Year-Olds Shutout Inwood

The Chiefs 8-year-olds had this game against Inwood circled on their schedule, as it was their only loss of the 2008 campaign. But 2009 was to be different as they shut out the Inwood Buccaneers 18-0 at home with a great defensive performance, brining their undefeated record to 6-0.

The name of this game was defense. The Chiefs defense made team gang tackles all over the field. The defensive line of Michael Sinisi, Aidan Hornberger, Jeremy Samuel, Andrew Cho, Chris Marshiano and Joe Martello kept the pressure on Inwood’s offense the whole day. Linebackers and cornerbacks attacked the ball and finished off the Buccaneers; they were led by Michael O’Connell, Matt Sluka, Andrew Casoria, Matt Grimm and Ryan Calderone. O’Connell made a big defensive stop with an interception of a pass intended for a Buccaneer.

Capitol One Bank Blazing Trails 4 Autism Run November 8

Runners are invited to be a part of the 2nd annual Capital One Bank Blazing Trails 4 Autism Four Mile Run on Sunday, Nov. 8 at the Great Neck South High School Campus on Lakeville Road in Great Neck. The run will start at exactly 9:30 a.m. with all net proceeds dedicated to the Eden II/Genesis Programs, which provide specialized community based services and other opportunities to individuals with autism.

Race management will be provided by the Greater Long Island Running Club (GLIRC), with Robin Schneider serving as race director. Timing and scoring will be handled by JMS Racing Services, utilizing the AMB Chip Timing System.

Westbury High School Girls Soccer, Volleyball Teams Off to Successful Start

The Westbury Girls Varsity Soccer and Varsity Girls Volleyball teams are off to a very successful start for the fall 2009 season.

The girls volleyball team, under the direction of coach Michelle Brock, has four conference wins and is challenging for a playoff position; while the girls soccer team, under the direction of head coach Jenna Thomas and assistant coach Koriene Petrelli, has won its first two games.

Soccer coach Thomas has led the team to more victories in two years than we had in the combined five years before that. She has also more than doubled the participation level. Thomas is a full substitute teacher at Powell’s Lane School. Assistant coach Petrelli is a new physical education teacher at the high school.

The following are the results from the girls soccer games:

Dunn, Head Lacrosse Coach at NYIT

The New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreation has promoted William Dunn to head men’s lacrosse coach. Dunn has served as assistant coach, defensive coordinator, and strength and conditioning coach for the team for the past 10 seasons.

“It is truly an honor being selected as the next head coach at NYIT,” said Dunn. “Following in Jack Kaley’s footsteps is a major endeavor, and my staff and I look forward to this challenge. We have a very impressive group of players this year, and plan on many successful seasons to come.”

During Dunn’s tenure as assistant coach, the Bears compiled a 94-15 record, advanced to the NCAA Division II tournament five times, played in the national championship game three times, and won the national title twice—in 2003 and 2008. At NYIT, Dunn has coached three United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) National Defensemen of the Year and one USILA Goalie and Player of the Year. Nine of his defensive players have received USILA First Team All-American honors, six have received USILA Second Team All-American honors, and six others have received USILA Honorable Mention All-American honors. In 2008, Dunn was named the Intercollegiate Men’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IMLCA) Division II Outstanding Assistant Coach of the Year.

Mineola PAL Chiefs Update: October 23, 2009

8-Year-Olds Beat Bellmore

The Chiefs 8-year-olds played their version of Friday Night Lights, as they played on the road this past Friday Night and beat the Bellmore Braves 25-19. This brings their undefeated record to 5-0.

The Chiefs Offense were able to move the ball because of the great blocking by the offensive line centered by Michael LaGinestra and anchored by Patrick McTiernan, Matty O’Connell, Anthony Giunta, Philip Arnold, Dylan Vincenti and Spenser Warantz. Runs by running backs Lance Costa, Matthew Sluka, Thomas Albig, Jason Eccher and Jack Duff helped the Chiefs Offense control the ball along with Quarterback Michael O’Connell.

The Chiefs defense made gang tackles all over the field. The defensive line of Michael Sinisi, Aidan Hornberger, Jeremy Samuel and Chris Marshiano kept the pressure on Franklin Square’s offense the whole day. Cornerbacks and safeties, led by Andrew Casoria, Matt Grimm and Ryan Calderone, attacked the ball and finished off the Braves. All the boys played and participated in the victory.

Scoring is summarized below:

• Matt Sluka: 21-yard touchdown run (xpoint failed); 42-yard touchdown run (xpoint failed)

• Michael O’Connell: 50-yard touchdown run (xpoint failed); 26-yard touchdown run (Matt Sluka xpoint run)

Carle Place and Wheatley Partner for Another Wild Football Season

Wild Frogs: this seems to be a popular buzz around the boy’s locker room and on the football field at Carle Place Middle School/High School. 


A Wild Frog is not a rare amphibian hopping through the halls or on the athletic fields but rather the successful football merger of the Wheatley Wildcats and the Carle Place Frogs.


Developed three seasons ago due to a lack of participation from Carle Place students and an increased interest in playing football from Wheatley athletes, the Carle Place and Wheatley School Districts partnered together once again for the 2009 football season as the Carle Place/ Wheatley Wild Frogs.

Mineola PAL Chiefs Update: October 15, 2009

8-Year-Olds Muzzle Long Beach’s Bulldogs

On a beautiful Sunday at home, the Chiefs 8-year-olds continued their winning ways and muzzled the Long Beach Bulldogs 26-13 to remain undefeated and bring their winning record to 4-0.

Throughout the Oct. 4 game, the Chiefs offense was able to control the tempo of the game behind fundamentally sound blocking by the offensive line of Michael LaGinestra, Patrick McTiernan, Matty O’Connell, Anthony Giunta, Dylan Vincenti and Spenser Warantz. Powerful running by Chiefs quarterback Michael O’Connell and running backs Matthew Sluka, Lance Costa, Jason Eccher and Jack Duff helped the Chiefs control the ball throughout the game.

The Chiefs defensive line of Aidan Hornberger, Joe Martello, Kevin Parente, Michael Sinisi, Chris Marshiano, Jeremy Samuel and Andrew Cho kept the pressure on Long Beach’s Offense all game long. Linebackers O’Connell and Sluka furiously attacked the Bulldogs and put them down. The Chiefs cornerbacks and safeties – led by Thomas Albig, Andrew Casoria, Ryan Calderone, Matt Grimm and Lance Costa – were aggressive as well.

The NCYFL Football League that the Chiefs play in has made the 8-year-old division competitive with a playoff system this year.

All the boys played in the game and contributed to the victory; scoring is summarized as follows:

• Michael O’Connell: 25-yard touchdown run (xpoint run); 52-yard touchdown run (Matt Sluka xpoint run)

• Matt Sluka: 5-yard touchdown run (xpoint failed); 48-yard touchdown run (no xpoint attempt)

Mineola PAL Chiefs Update: October 8, 2009

8-Year-Olds Make History

The 2009, 8-year-olds Chiefs made history. The team has done what no other Chiefs team has done in over 50 plus years of the organization’s existence and that is beat the Massapequa Mustangs on their home turf by a score of 32-26. This victory brings the Chiefs undefeated record for season to 3-0.

The Chiefs, led by Captain Aidan Hornberger, battled the Mustangs back and forth in the pouring rain. On the last play of the game, tied 26-26 with time expiring, quarterback Michael O’Connell ran the ball around the end towards the Chiefs sideline. All the Chiefs fans including the 10-year-old Chiefs who were at the field getting ready for their own, yelled and screamed as O’Connell sprinted 44 yards towards the end zone for the game winning touchdown.

Uniroyal Soccer Program Kicks Off Season With Donations, Equipment

For the 10th year in a row, the Uniroyal Soccer Program is supporting soccer communities across the country. BJ’s Wholesale Club will donate funds and equipment to the New York Soccer League Association.

Beginning Oct. 1, players will receive a certificate that can be redeemed for a free soccer ball at BJ’s Wholesale Club while supplies last. Uniroyal Tire and BJ’s Wholesale Club will also donate $2 for every Uniroyal tire sold during the 30-day program.

Mineola PAL Chiefs Update: October 1, 2009

8-Year-Olds Ground Baldwin’s Bombers

The 8-year-old Chiefs continued to roll as they went on the road to Baldwin and grounded the Bombers 13-6. With this win, the Chiefs remain undefeated (2-0)

The Chiefs offense, led by Quarterback Michael O’Connell, controlled the tempo of the game behind sound blocking from the offensive line of Michael LaGinestra, Patrick McTiernan, Matty O’Connell, Anthony Giunta, Philip Arnold, Dylan Vincenti and Spenser Warantz while running backs Matthew Sluka, Lance Costa, Thomas Albig, Jason Eccher and Jack Duff helped the Chiefs control the ball.