Rebuilt South Side faces obstacles

Returning fewer than half of last year’s starters has South Side’s girls’ lacrosse team in a rebuilding phase, yet the Lady Cyclones remained in Nassau’s top conference.

“There’s not an easy game on the list,” coach Meaghan Healey said. “We returned four starters in the field, plus our goalie, which is the fewest starters we’ve brought back in a long time. It’s a work in progress and we’re looking to improve every game.”

South Side, which reached the quarterfinals last year, closed out a difficult March with a loss to defending county Class B champion Manhasset, 16-5. Healey said the team showed some signs it’s moving in the right direction. “Two of our first four games came against the county champs and Wantagh, last year’s runner-up,” Healey noted. “We still have Garden City and all of the top A schools, so it’s very challenging.”

Senior captains Tessa Considine and Megan Albertsen set the tone for the Lady Cyclones in the midfield and defense, respectively. Both earned All-Conference honors in 2014. Considine, slowed by a foot injury so far, had 23 goals and is expected to reenergize the offense when she returns. “She’s attack-minded and tough to stop,” Healey said. “She takes the majority of draws and provides a lot of leadership.”

Albertsen is the anchor of the defense, but Healey is considering giving her some playing time at her natural position in the midfield. “She’s quick and smart and has the ability to force turnovers,” Healey said. “We’re very young in the midfield, so I’m considering giving her some time there.”

Junior Jill Leonard is another returning starter and coming off a 14-goal season. She’ll be used in the midfield but also works well on attack along with sophomore Bridget Considine, who was tremendous last spring with 25 goals and 18 assists. “Jill can play wherever we need her,” Healey said. “She moves well and is great at scooping up groundballs.”

Bridget Considine has picked up right where she left off. Through four games, she leads the team in scoring with six goals and five assists. She scored twice against Long Beach, Wantagh and Oceanside. “She’s fast and even though she’s not a big kid, she’s not intimidated by anyone,” Healey said. “She’s a strong feeder and finisher.”

Senior goaltender Alyssa Knab also returned after totaling 118 saves last spring. “She has a good skill set and is mechanically sound,” Healey said. “We’re looking for her to keep us in games.” Knab made 11 stops against Manhasset.

The defense in front of Knab is molding into shape, Healey said. Junior Carrie Whelan stepped into a starting role and is strong one-on-one, while juniors Bridget Leake and Haley McDonald have been active in the back row.

The speed of sophomores Katherine Parker, Allison Mahoney and Alex McNicholas is a key in transition, and junior Kelly O’Sullivan has won her share of faceoffs. Junior Grace Kelleher and freshman Ailis DeTommaso (six goals) are working well on attack.