Strong start for South Side

For the first time since the late 1990s, South Side isn’t defending a Nassau County girls’ soccer title but instead trying to regain the status of champion after it was stunned by Garden City in last year’s Class A final.

The Lady Cyclones, who won 13 straight county crowns from 1997-2009, brought back all but two starters and came out of the gate sharp with fives wins and a tie.

“We have really high hopes,” South Side coach Shannon McEntee said. “All the returning players, especially the seniors, are on a mission to go further than last year. Their passing and chemistry have been fantastic. I’ve been really pleased with the results so far.”

South Side got a measure of revenge against Garden City in the conference opener, posting a 2-0 road victory Sept. 14. Freshman Keri Cavallo notched her first two varsity goals, with juniors Michaela Lynch and Meghan Hines picking up the assists, and junior goalkeeper Kelsey Berki stopped all seven shots she faced.

Berki, who filled in nicely when last year’s starter Lauren Lopresti went down with an injury, has taken ownership of the position and totaled 22 saves through the first six games. “Kelsey has all the tools,” McEntee said. “Her technical skills and communication skills are great.”

The defense in front of Berki features senior captains Caitlin Wallace and Sam Ford. The speedy Wallace, an outside fullback, brings  composure and confidence to the back row, McEntee said, and Ford is usually found in the hip pocket of the top opposing scoring threat. “Sam is like a flex defender,” McEntee said. “We give her an assignment and she shuts opponents down.”

Sophomore Kelsey Ford starts on the outside and is no stranger to the offensive zone. “She’s aggressive with the ball and makes runs,” McEntee said. At sweeper, Tessa Considine, one of five freshmen on the roster, has made a smooth transition to varsity.