South Side begins title defense

For the third time in six years, South Side is out to defend the Nassau Class A boys’ soccer championship.

The Cyclones made a historic playoff run last fall and became the lowest-seeded team (No. 13) to ever win a county title. They knocked off the No. 1, 2 and 4 seeds in the process, capped by a thrilling victory over Roslyn on penalty kicks in the final.

“Everyone had a different view of us than we did going into last year’s playoffs,” South Side coach Fred Paul said. “Where we get seeded doesn’t impact our kids. They focus on one opponent at a time and work to get better every day.”

The Cyclones (10-6-3 overall in 2014) have reached the county finals five times in the last six years and figure to be in the mix once again with four full-time starters back in the fold. Many of their offensive leaders graduated, but the defensive-minded Paul is counting on senior goalkeeper Josh Levine and junior sweeper Pat Basile to lead the way.

“We focus on defense and let everything else sort itself out,” Paul said. “I feel good about this team. The kids are working hard and we’re going to look to outwork and outlast opponents.”

Levine, who posted seven shutouts a year ago and made the county title-clinching save against Roslyn to give the Cyclones a 3-2 win in the shootout, comes off an All-County campaign. “We’ve been blessed with some talented goalkeepers over the years and I’ll be shocked if I see a better one than Josh this season,” Paul said. “He can do it all. Every facet of his game is improved and he’s got the experience of last year’s playoffs under his belt. No scenario will unnerve him.”

Basile, who scored the game-winning penalty kick against Roslyn, anchors the back row. “Pat strikes the ball as well as anyone we’ve got,” Paul said. “He made substantial growth last season and played with confidence.” Others being counted on to bolster the defense include junior Thomas Doyle at stopper, and juniors Tyler Wukitsevits and Brian Limerick, and seniors Chris Bohn and Shane Reid at fullback. 

Senior returning starters Matt Diluccio and Andrew Livingstone are back in the midfield but taking on different roles. Diluccio, a captain along with Levine, is a four-year varsity player who’ll remain in the center albeit with additional responsibilities. “Matt is being asked to do everything he did last year, plus get more involved offensively,” Paul said. Livingstone moves from the outside to Diluccio’s former defensive spot in the center where he’ll provide strong coverage. “Andrew has a lot of ability and can make things happen,” the coach noted.

Juniors Charles Silecchia and Chris Romanowski top the depth chart on the outside, with freshman Joe Buglione and sophomore Harry Ludwig in the mix.

Junior Ryan Prendergast, who scored some clutch goals a year ago, and senior Connor Byrne lead the forward group. Buglione and senior Andrew McKenna may also contribute as strikers.