SSHS 2010 Girls' Soccer Wrap-Up

If it's true that offense sells tickets and defense wins championships, then the Lady Cyclones have a great opportunity to reclaim their place as one of the elite soccer programs in New York State.

In coach Shannon McEntee's inaugural season, the Lady Cyclones allowed only one goal throughout league play, and one during the playoffs —  a 1-0 loss to Garden City in the . Most of the team's defensive unit will return next season, giving South Side every reason to believe that they'll rebound from a disappointing end to a great season.

Despite graduating co-captains Beth Gidicsin and Dana Ahern, the Lady Cyclones will return juniors Sam Ford, Caitlin Wallace, Julie Beyar and freshman Kelsey Ford to solidify the backfield.

"I think the defense as a collective unit did an outstanding job, allowing one goal during league play and one in the playoffs," McEntee said. "The seniors were tremendous leaders and motivators to their teammates, the juniors and underclassmen will have to step up to fill their shoes."

Even with 11 seniors heading off to college, South Side will have most of its starting lineup returning next season, including freshman Christina Klaum, who led the team with 13 goals and sophomores Alex Reis – who had five goals and eight assists – Michaela Lynch and Kelsey Berki. Berki had five shutouts while filling in for injured senior goalie Lauren Lopresti.

McEntee said she hopes to start next season where the last one ended.

"We have a lot of starters returning next year, so I hope to pick up right where we left off," she said. "Sam Ford, Christina Klaum, Alex Reis, Caitlin Wallace and Kelsey Ford did great things this season, and hopefully will continue to grow as players in the off season."

In McEntee's second season, with the team's returning starters having another year of experience behind them, it's not unreasonable to believe that South Side will once again be the team to beat in Nassau County, if not all of Long Island.

"Getting to know these girls and having an undefeated league season will definitely be memorable for us," McEntee said. "We can't dwell on the past and we have to take everything we have learned this year and move forward. We are going to train hard and play hard every single day."