To the victor go the spoils or so they say. Through the first half of this season, the Demons have yet to enjoy victory as they continue to work through the growing pains of life versus Division I competition. The boys are working hard and improving with each match. There have been wonderful moments and flashes of brilliance and although there is a mountain to climb, the first half has really been quite entertaining.

After a Week 1 tie at Albertson, the Demons had a fixture with the Levittown Blue Thunder at Soccer Park in Plainview in Week 2. The two teams scrimmaged during the winter in less than ideal field conditions but at least there was some familiarity with one another coming into the match. The Demons began the contest nicely but had to contend with not only the larger Blue Thunder Fullbacks, but also the field marshal who was the match referee who decided very early to let the boys be boys. An early scoring chance by Matt Rogers was negated on a questionable offside call, but moments later on a nice through ball from Mike Randazzo, Rogers converted for a 1-0 Demon lead. As the first half progressed, the Blue Thunder controlled mid field and Mark DeSantis, Dale Stasco and Will Harrington did well to keep the oncoming attackers at bay. Ray Leto made several key saves. An injury to Greg Vouzianas due to a hard tackle that went uncalled put the Demons down to two subs. Moments later, Stasco went down after a hard collision. The Blue Thunder would score to level the game and then convert minutes from halftime on a defensive miscue inside the Demon eighteen. The Blue Thunder played a very physical match and it would be but a taste of what the Demons would see going forward from future divisional foes. Another goal made the score 3-1 in favor of Levittown. Second half injuries to Danny Simmons, Jack Gillan and Ray Leto, who was replaced by Kevin Mullin all but did the group in. However, the Demons battled back and Matt Rogers scored once again after lofting a high shot that the goalkeeper could only get his fingertips on as it landed in the net and the score was 3-2 where it eventually ended.

Week 3 featured a weekday matinee at home versus the Jericho Sharpshooters and indeed they were. Once again facing imposing height and strength in midfield, the Demons began the match in a more defensive formation with Matt Rogers being the lone striker. There were early chances for both sides but the Demons were on their heels versus the oncoming pressure. The Jericho players distributed the ball quite nicely using one and two touch passing, and they scored the first goal of the match on a direct kick that Ray Leto got his hands on, but couldn't tip over the crossbar. Midfielders Carney Mahon and Kevin Mullin gave out as much punishment as they absorbed and that seemed to pick the boys up. The Demons were shooting from some distance when they could as Rogers and Greg Vouzianas missed just wide. Jericho scored again with under 5 minutes remaining in the first half on a nifty tick tack toe passing sequence, but Matt Rogers got one back for the Demons just before halftime to cut the deficit to 2-1. As the second half commenced The Demons focused more on creating offense and Kevin Mullin and Jack Gillan were up front alongside Matt Rogers to provide additional strength. The Demon defense comprised of Jack Tigh, Mark DeSantis, Will Harrington, and Dale Stasco did well to force the opponent's shooters to the outside but it was the lack of challenges and winning the 50/50 balls in mid field that hindered the Demons from mounting any serious threat against the Jericho defense which was quite good in the air. The physical play of the more experienced Sharpshooters won them a direct kick which they converted into a goal minutes from time for an eventual 3-1 victory.

Last Saturday the Demons traveled to Massapequa to play the first place Arsenal. The boys defeated the Arsenal once two seasons before in dramatic fashion and this match was even bigger for the Demons who were winless going into the match. The teams went at each other under sunny skies and the Demons seemed to have brought their pep as they began their attack from the get go. Peter Escribano was up front working with Matthew Rogers and Carney Mahon and the trio nearly connected on a shot from some distance nearly 5 minutes in. The Arsenal came at the Demons defense with a splendid attack and they took advantage of the space the Demon defenders gave them to execute several quality shots at Ray Leto in the Demon net. Leto played very well and made several diving stops to thwart the Arsenal. The Demons scored first as Greg Vouzianas won a ball in midfield and sent a nice lead pass to Matthew Rogers who sent a left footed shot into the net for the games first goal but as the team has seen in previous weeks, the physical aspect of the game was a reality as the Arsenal were terrific in the air and were more intent on winning the 50/50 battles. Their defense negated nearly every long punt from Leto and more importantly, upon winning the head ball, the Arsenal midfielders were in position to receive the ball's won and used quick touches to the outside to foster their attack.

The Arsenal tied the game on a free kick above the Demons eighteen and the battle intensified up to the halftime whistle. The second half commenced with Mike Randazzo up front with Danny Simmons and Peter Escribano. Randazzo used his speed on his wing and made several nice runs in an effort to create scoring chances. The Demon defense kept coming up big time after time. Will Harrington did a great job of fending off strikers who maneuvered their way into the Demon box. Jack Gillan also displayed his physical prowess while battling for ball possession. The pivotal point in the match came midway through the half as Greg Vouzianas fed Matthew Rogers a marvelous through ball. With two defenders in pursuit Rogers struck the ball. The Arsenal goalkeeper dived to his left and made the save but the rebound squirted in front of him beyond his reach. In seconds Rogers got to the ball as the defense converged on him and launched a right footed shot that struck the underside of the crossbar, bounded down onto the goal line where it was finally kicked out of harms way by an Arsenal defender. Minutes later, Massapequa scored off a corner kick and added another goal to seal their victory.

The Demons should be proud that each game they've played this season has been close and the boys have remained "in it" until the final minutes of each one. Each week they are getting stronger. They are learning what it takes to compete at this high level, where the game is faster, more physical, and the touches per player fewer. Keep charging boys. The team is home this Saturday against Hewlett. Let's Go Demons!