South Side advances to semis

Throughout the first half of Tuesday’s Nassau Class A boys’ soccer quarterfinal playoff game at Skelos Sports Complex, defending county champion South Side couldn’t get anything past New Hyde Park goalie Aaron Weinstock.

The Cyclones didn’t score despite peppering Weinstock with seven shots, but when the teams changed sides for the second half so did their luck — eventually.

Junior Chris Harkins, who had a hat trick in South Side’s playoff-opening win over Glen Cove last Saturday, finally solved Weinstock with 9:44 remaining when he took a pass from senior Alexei Lesko and lifted a 15-yard shot into the upper right corner of the cage for the game’s only goal.

The 1-0 victory advanced the second-seeded Cyclones (12-1-4 overall) to the semifinals against Island Trees this Friday at Mitchel Athletic Complex at 7:30 p.m.

“Alexei sent a nice through ball, I saw an opening and took the shot,” Harkins said. “Their keeper made some great saves today. I chipped it over him. It seemed like it was the only way to get one in.”

Weinstock’s busy afternoon began early in the first half when he denied Harkins on a header from close range. The senior keeper then punched a shot from Mike Marano over the crossbar, dove to deny Kyle Davis, and intercepted a Mark Romanowski corner kick with an aggressive move in the box.

In the second half, Lesko had a goal waved off by officials and then was robbed by Weinstock’s best save of the game. The Gladiators managed three shots on goal against Cyclones senior keeper Deven Khosla, who picked up his 11th shutout of the year. 

“I thought we played an excellent match,” South Side coach Fred Paul said. “I’m really pleased with how well we controlled the ball. Their keeper did a great job, but we kept knocking on the door and got one.”

The defense in front of Khosla was airtight, led by Romanowksi, a sophomore, and senior Jeff Cohen. New Hyde Park’s scoring chances were limited and the only anxious moment for the Cyclones came with 15 minutes remaining when Dan Lorandini deflecting a crossing pass over the net.

“We’re a defense-first team,” said Paul, who admitted he wasn’t thrilled with some aspects of the 5-1 playoff victory over No. 15 Glen Cove despite the convincing margin. 

The Cyclones entered the playoffs with five straight shutouts and the Conference V title in tow. Seniors Marano and Davis also scored in against Glen Cove. Harkins, Lesko, Marano, senior Ben Tetelman (four goals, six assists for team-high 10 points) and junior Kevin Cook added assists.

“We like our chances,” Harkins said. “We already reached our first goal of winning the conference. Now we’re halfway to our next goal of winning the county.”