Off to a great start

The evening featured season-opening games for the South Side High School boys' and girls' varsity soccer teams, a ceremony honoring the 20th anniversary of the Lady Cyclones' first-ever state championship, and a barbecue hosted by the South Side High School Booster Club, with proceeds going to the group's athletic scholarship awards presented each June.
"There's a great partnership between our club, the school district and the boosters," said Patti O'Dea-Leboff, president of the soccer club. "More than anything else, this is a night of fun. It brings the community together and raises interest in what already is the largest participation sport in Rockville Centre."
Carly Roman, a member of the U-14 Liberty, one of the club's girls' travel teams, was elated about the season getting underway. "The high school players set a good example," she said. "It gets me excited about playing on the high school team."
South Side's boys' team, coached by Al Freeman, topped Lawrence, 2-0, with Colin Serling and Jon Kirshen picking up goals.
Cam Livingstone, coach of the boys' U-10 Revolution, saw many of the Cyclones' varsity members come through the club. "It's very special to see so many boys from the old Revolution out on the field," he said.
The three-time defending state Class A champion girls' team, coached by Judi Croutier, rolled to a 4-0 victory over Island Trees. "We were pumped for it," goalkeeper Sasha Reiber said.
Added Croutier: "It's a tremendous event. We swap starting times with the boys each year and it's always fun to play in front of a big crowd."
South Side High School's Athletic Director Michael Heller and Rockville Centre Mayor Mary Whelan Bossart were on hand, and between games the soccer club presented members of the 1987 girls' state championship team with a commemorative t-shirt.
The soccer club has 2,000 members, ranging in age from 5-23. New this fall is a Tots Program for 4-year olds. Registration is scheduled to begin soon. Go to rvcsoccer.net for more information.