South Side eyes title chase

The South Side boys’ soccer team is extra fueled for a deep postseason run this fall after falling in penalty kicks in the round of 16 for a second straight season last year.

The Cyclones dominated the two overtime sessions against Floral Park in an opening round playoff game, but were unable to find the back of the net before falling in a marathon penalty kick dual, 9-8. The heartbreaking season-ending defeat was eerily reminiscent of a round of 16 penalty kick setback to Long Beach in 2021 after South Side went 11-0-1 league play.

Twelve seniors graduated from the 2022 team finished one point away from a Conference A Central title with a 9-2-1 mark, but half of the starting lineup returns motivated to script a far better ending in 2023. 

“Our team motto this year is run as one and this group seems very united,” said third-year South Side coach Patrick Corvetti. “They have been practicing and training all summer and are very self motivated.”

The South Side defense, which posted seven shutouts last season, returns three of four starters in seniors Ryan Walsh, Ryan Curtis and Matt Buglione. Junior TJ Brull will also aid the backline this year in front of senior goalie Ryan Coico, who was a backup last year.

The offense returns senior forward/midfielder Stephen Nelson, who missed much of last season due to injury. Nelson, who is committed to play collegiate soccer at the U.S. Naval Academy, brings leadership on and off the field to the Cyclones. 

“He is very locked in and a very special person,” said Corvetti of Nelson. “He is the whole package.”

Junior central midfielder Mike Benfante will be another key part of the offense after tallying three goals as a sophomore. Luca Tarulli and Ronan Tarpey will also look to add an offensive spark at midfield. 

The Cyclones kicked off the new season last Friday with a commanding 7-1 home win against Malverne-East Rockaway led by three goals from junior forward Connor Fernandez. Joandi Falcon-Beltre, Jack Darlington, Benfante and Nelson also tallied goals in a game where South Side jumped out to a 6-0 lead at halftime. Travis Rose, Tarpey and Walsh recorded assists while Coico recorded five saves in net. 

After road matches with Roosevelt and Carey this week, South Side will visit Sewanhaka Monday for a 5 p.m. kick off. The Cyclones’ next home match is slated for Wednesday against Garden City at 5 p.m. before hosting Floral Park on Saturday at 9 a.m. 

South Side competes in Conference AA3 Central this season with Garden City, New Hyde Park, Carey, Elmont Malverne-East Rockaway, Roosevelt and Sewanhaka. The Cyclones can once again qualify for the playoffs with a .500 or better conference record, but are shooting for far more. 

“We will hopefully be battling for the conference title and go deep in the playoffs,” Corvetti said. “I feel really positive about this team.”