Lady Cyclones pass early test

Expected to be pose one of the biggest threats to South Side’s girls’ soccer dynasty, visiting Plainedge provided an early test for the Lady Cyclones at Skelos Sports Complex on Sept. 16.

Severe storms forced officials to stop the game with more than 25 minutes remaining. Julie Beyar scored the only goal and senior goalkeeper Lauren Lopresti turned aside all nine shots Plainedge sent her way to lead eight-time defending Long Island champion South Side to a 1-0 Conference V victory.

“It was a physical, quick-paced game,” said first-year coach Shannon McEntee, who spent the past four years guiding the JV program under former varsity coach Judi Croutier. “I’m very pleased with how we’ve played
so far.”

The Lady Cyclones, who opened with a 4-0 win over Hewlett on Sept. 14, graduated a significant number of contributors from last year’s undefeated (17-0-2) campaign, including All-Americans Crystal Dunn and Carly Beyar. But McEntee has a nice mix of returning players and newcomers on a roster that

“I’m confident in the talent we have,” McEntee said. “Like every other team in the county, we have to take things one game at a time. 

“The coaching transition has been smooth for everyone,” she added. “I coached some of the girls on JV and teach some of them in school. I also was around the varsity team throughout the playoffs the past couple of years.”

During the team’s decade-plus dominance in Nassau County, its defense has been nearly impossible to crack. Nothing figures to change this fall with All-Conference juniors Julie Beyar and Caitlin Wallace leading a back row that includes senior Dana Ahern and junior Sam Ford. 

Wallace is moving from the midfield to outside defender, where she’ll pair with Ahern and make loose balls tough for opponents to win. In addition, Wallace’s experience as a midfielder will help trigger South Side’s transition game, McEntee said. “Caitlin doesn’t hesitate pushing the ball up the field,” she said.

Beyar and Ford serve as central defenders, and the coach expects them to be a force. “They’re very talented players with a lot of experience,” McEntee said.

Lopresti, the team’s primary keeper in 2008 who played a key role in its thrilling L.I. championship game win over Islip on penalty kicks, is solid in every facet and already has two shutouts to her credit.

Offensively, senior Jackie Cifarelli and Caitlin Hines bring speed and nonstop motors to the forward position. Cifarelli is a proven goal scorer and playmaker who comes off an All-Class season. The midfield is deep, led by senior Beth Gidicsin, sophomore Alex Reis, and freshmen Christina Klaum (three goals against Hewlett) and Kelsey Ford.

With Nassau moving away from ability based conferences, the Lady Cyclones will face Bethpage, Hewlett, Lawrence, Malverne/East Rockaway, Plainedge and Sewanhaka twice apiece. McEntee set up challenging non-conference games against Massapequa, Farmingdale and Sacred Heart.

South Side’s next six games all take place on the road, highlighted by a trip to Burns Park to face Massapequa on Monday at
4:30 p.m.