South Side preps for playoffs

With a conference title in the bag and the start of the Nassau Class A girls’ soccer playoffs days away, it would be easy for South Side to talk about regaining a county championship the program has held 25 times since 1984.

But coach Shannon McEntee said the Lady Cyclones (9-2-1 overall) were focused on concluding the regular season in strong fashion. “Right now we’re just thinking about Wantagh,” she said of South Side’s last conference game of 2014. “We want to close the regular season on a positive note. It’s our last prep before the playoffs.”

The first time the teams met, Wantagh was riding a hot streak with six consecutive wins including a 2-0 decision over defending county champion Garden City. South Side got two goals from sophomore Alexandra McNicholas and one from senior Keri Cavallo in a convincing 3-0 road victory.

“Wantagh was on a winning streak when we saw them the first time,” McEntee said. “It was the last game of the first half of the season, and a big test for us. We looked sharp. Offensively, we made some smart choices and used the length and width of the field.”

Sophomore goalkeeper Kayla Klarides made six saves, including three from close range, for one of her nine shutouts on the year. Heading into the regular-season finale, Klarides was tied for the county lead in shutouts with Lauren Hill of Farmingdale. “Kayla’s definitely been busy,” McEntee said. “She’s done a great job along with the defense. Our success back there is a combination of her making big stops and the defenders being aggressive and playing well.”

Klarides has 76 saves and allowed just one goal through nine conference games playing behind a defense led by seniors Rebecca Buchman, Tessa Considine, Kayla Hospodka and Megan Albertsen, as well as sophomore Katherine Parker. Buchman and Parker control the middle of the field, McEntee said. “Rebecca has been stepping up huge,” she said of Buchman. “She was part of our state championship team in 2012 and knows what it’s like to be in pressure games.”